This report is based on the deliberations of an expert panel convened to consider the current Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Hours-of-Service regulations for commercial drivers, as well as other Hours-of-Service options being considered by FHWA. The panel was asked to undertake the following tasks: (1) review the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule Making, promulgated by FHWA and discussing potential directions for changes to the FHWA Hours-of-Service regulation, as provided by the FHWA; (2) review and analyse the FHWA-reviewed research relating to the existing and potential regulatory elements, as provided by the FHWA; (3) determine whether the research summarised by the FHWA includes all significant, salient studies supporting or disputing the potential regulatory changes; (4) determine whether the FHWA can adequately support the potential regulatory changes, using the reviewed research plus other significant, salient research identified by the panel; and (5) prepare a report of the findings of the panel. The material provided by the FHWA, including the literature summaries, were reviewed independently by panel members prior to the Expert Panel meeting. The major focus of this report is on the five policy options for Hours-of-Service regulations that were developed by FHWA, including the current Hours-of-Service regulation and four other possibilities. Each policy option identified five types of drivers: (i) long distance drivers; (ii) regional drivers; (iii) split shift drivers; (iv) home base drivers; and (v) labour primarily other than driving. (A)
Abstract