FMCSA to Analyze Detention Time Drivers Face

+2,500 Truck Drivers to Participate

As part of this initiative, selected drivers and carriers will contribute data spanning 12 months, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the challenges surrounding detention times. The ultimate goal is to devise effective strategies for mitigating these delays, enhancing efficiency and safety in the transportation sector.

The study's diverse sample pool will encompass various carrier operations, including longhaul and shorthaul services, private and company fleets, for-hire fleets, port servicing (primarily chassis), owner-operators, hourly and mileage-based operators, as well as truckload, less-than-truckload, and dedicated local delivery services.

What does 'Detention Time' mean?

The term 'detention time' pertains to the additional waiting period experienced by truck drivers at shipping and receiving facilities, stemming from delays unrelated to cargo loading and unloading," stated by the FMCSA. "Drivers frequently do not receive compensation for this extended waiting period.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) highlighted that detention time within the trucking industry remains a persistent issue, consistently ranking as a top concern for a significant portion of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) operators.

According to the agency, minimizing detention time could lead to cost reductions for carriers, increased earnings for drivers, and enhanced reliability in meeting delivery schedules without breaching hours-of-service regulations.

FMCSA suggests that drivers experiencing shorter detention periods are more likely to operate their vehicles safely within prescribed hours-of-service limits, maintain accurate driving and duty logs, and ensure timely deliveries.

Although FMCSA has been examining detention time since 2014, earlier studies were hindered by limited data, primarily from larger carriers. To comprehensively grasp the safety and operational implications of detention time and identify potential mitigation strategies, the agency emphasizes the need for broader data collection across various carrier segments.

FMCSA outlines three primary objectives for the forthcoming study: evaluating the frequency and severity of driver detention time using representative industry data, assessing the effectiveness of innovative technology solutions in measuring detention time, and producing a comprehensive report summarizing findings, addressing research inquiries, and proposing strategies to diminish detention time.

Questioning the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) approach to monitoring detention time after numerous studies, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) inquired about the potential methods FMCSA might employ for such monitoring. TCA characterized detention time within the trucking industry as a multifaceted issue influenced by various factors, suggesting that effective regulation by FMCSA would encounter considerable challenges due to differing definitions and tracking methodologies used by trucking companies.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) referenced a 2018 report from the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General (IG), which indicated that a 15-minute increase in average dwell time — the total time spent by a truck at a facility — leads to a 6.2% rise in the average expected crash rate.

According to OOIDA, the Inspector General study also projected that detention time correlates with a decrease in annual earnings of $1.1 billion to $1.3 billion for for-hire commercial motor vehicle drivers in the truckload sector, and it diminishes net income by $250.6 million to $302.9 million annually for motor carriers operating in that sector.

Concerns are voiced regarding the relationship between extended facility dwell times and increased crash rates, as highlighted by a Department of Transportation report. While the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association underscores the substantial financial losses for drivers and carriers, debates persist within the industry regarding the efficacy of regulatory interventions to address detention time. Amidst these discussions, there is a pressing need for nuanced approaches that balance operational efficiency, carriers unique detention time tracking, and the prioritization of safety considerations.