The American Transportation Research Institute has started its second phase of research on the effects of recent changes to the hours-of-service rules, which went into effect on July 1.

It is asking commercial drivers to provide input on the changes through an online survey available on its website, www.atri-online.org. The survey asks drivers about effects related to miles, pay and on-duty hours since the changes to the 34-hour restart (requirement of two periods between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. and the limit of one restart per 7-day/168-hour time period) and the addition of the 30-minute rest break. 

“Earlier this year we released a study quantifying potential impacts from the rules changes. This critical next step in the research will document how those expected changes are being experienced by drivers,” says ATRI president Rebecca Brewster. 

The survey, which was based on data from drivers and fleets, found new hours of service would be a cost to the trucking industry of nearly $190 million annually, compared to what the FMCSA says will be a savings of nearly $135 million each year.

ATRI will also initiate data collection from motor carriers to quantify productivity impacts resulting from the rules changes. 

The group is the research arm of the American Trucking Associations, which has voiced stiff opposition to changing hours-of-service regulations.