What is Driver Detention?

Detention time, according to VTTI, refers to the time commercial vehicle operators spend waiting at shipping and receiving facilities due to delays in loading and unloading cargo. Research paints a concerning picture of its impact.

“‘Detention time’ is the time commercial motor vehicle operators spend at shipping and receiving facilities because of delays in loading and unloading cargo,” VTTI explained. “Recent reports indicate detention time is associated with reduced annual driver earnings of up to $1.3 billion, and carriers could gain up to $3.1 billion annually by eliminating these inefficiencies. Detention time can also reduce safety. Drivers who experience detention time might engage in unsafe driving to reach their destination within their hours-of-service limits, drive while fatigued, or improperly log their hours. A 2014 study assessing detention time found that approximately two out of three drivers experienced detention time every month, and 10 percent of stops went beyond two hours at the delivery location.”

Why Participation Matters

VTTI is seeking carriers of all sizes and types to help gather real-world data, utilizing electronic logging devices (ELDs) and transportation management systems (TMS). All information provided during the study will remain completely confidential. Participating carriers will receive personalized consulting reports outlining how detention time affects their fleet’s safety and operational efficiency.

By participating, carriers will play a pivotal role in shaping meaningful improvements across the trucking industry. “Your participation can help to create positive change in the trucking industry,” VTTI noted.

How to Get Involved

If you’re interested in contributing to the study or would like to learn more about it, please visit the official study page on the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute website, titled “Impact of Driver Detention Time on Safety and Operations.”

Help make a difference by joining this initiative to address inefficiencies, improve safety, and drive positive change for carriers and drivers alike.

Source: The Trucker

The post VTTI Looking for Carriers to Participate in Driver Detention Study: Improving Efficiency and Safety in the Trucking Industry appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“It’s the biggest waste and a real problem,” he said. “Right now, two hours of detention time is the standard before additional fees can be charged.”

Detention eats into carriers’ revenue significantly, yet the shippers and receivers responsible for inefficient loading and unloading processes often show little interest in resolving the issue, according to Nagle. Shippers and receivers are typically only willing to reimburse carriers for 50% to 70% of the lost revenue incurred during idle truck time.

So, what’s the remedy? Nagle suggests a step in the right direction would be to cut “free” detention time from the current two hours down to just one.

“The shippers and receivers pay their employees,” he said. “Why should a carrier be expected to tell its drivers they are unpaid for time on the job?”

Nagle’s thoughts and opinions resonate with many professionals in the trucking industry. Driver detention consistently ranks among the top frustrations. The unnecessary delays at shipping and receiving facilities highlight a significant inefficiency that impacts drivers’ experience behind the wheel and carriers’ operations.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has taken notice and is beginning to analyze the impact of excessive detention time on highway safety. Public feedback received by FMCSA has shown that the depth of the problem has bypassed initial expert and government expectations.

In August 2023, the FMCSA collected data for the report, Impact of Driver Detention Time on Safety and Operations. This effort received 176 comments, highlighting various aspects of detention time’s impact on the industry.

The FMCSA organized the issues into 11 categories:

1. The relationship between detention time and driver compensation
2. Organizational issues at the shipper/receiver, carrier, and/or broker
3. The relationship between detention time and pick-up/delivery appointment times
4. Examples of detention time characteristics as experienced by commenters
5. The relationship between detention time and hours of service regulations
6. The impact of detention time on logistics and the economy
7. The impact of detention time on driver welfare
8. The impact of detention time on driver and roadway user safety
9. Suggestions and support for detention time-related regulations
10. Considerations for defining and quantifying detention time and collecting necessary data
11. General support for the study

It was clear that from the expansive 11 categories, the FMCSA had not anticipated the true depth of the issue of excessive detention time.

Then, in February 2024, FMCSA reopened the issue for public comment, providing background information on detention time and outlining a data collection plan with three primary objectives:

1. Assess the frequency and severity of driver detention time using data that represents the major segments of the motor carrier industry.
2. Assess the utility of existing ITS solutions to measure detention time.
3. Prepare a final report that summarizes the findings, answers the research questions, and offers strategies to reduce detention time.

Additionally, the FMCSA expanded the study to include supply chain efficiency alongside highway safety concerns. Although the agency has yet to analyze responses from the most recent comment period, an initial review suggests a diverse range of opinions from industry stakeholders.

Comments from drivers highlighted the real-world challenges posed by detention time, along with possible suggestions for resolution. Some emphasized the lack of compensation for detention time, calling for action from carriers and shippers/receivers, while others highlighted potential worsening from Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs).

Trucking organizations like the Truckload Carrier’s Association (TCA) supported the study, urging transparency and action based on the findings.

“The FMCSA needs to act accordingly upon their findings, in which they did not do after the 2001 and 2014 detention time studies. While we appreciate the FMCSA’s commitment to further investigating issues related to detention time, we are concerned about potential delays in addressing new issues that may be identified. Given the length of the initial study, we are apprehensive that any new issues that arise may not be promptly explored, potentially leading to significant delays, like the decade-long interval observed in the past,” read the TCA’s comment.

TCA emphasized the need to leverage technology like ELDs and suggested sharing study data openly with affected motor carriers.

“FMCSA’s recommendations for lowering detention could serve as valuable guidelines for shippers, receivers, carriers, and drivers seeking to minimize delays and improve their operations,” TCA commented.

As for Ed Nagle, his view on how detention time impacts driver safety is straightforward.

“It makes drivers tired,” he said.

Source: The Trucker

The post Detention Costs Drivers Time and Carriers Money – FMCSA Has Noticed and Is Researching a Solution appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Driver detention, defined as the time spent waiting at shipper or receiver facilities outside of the loading/unloading process, has long been a persistent challenge for professional drivers across the nation. Recognizing the gravity and importance of this issue, ATRI’s Research Advisory Committee (RAC) has pinpointed the necessity for fresh research that meticulously and carefully captures the widespread adverse effects of driver detention, extending its impact out to carriers, truck drivers, shippers, and the overall economy.

The survey is concise yet comprehensive, balancing not being overwhelming while still pulling all necessary information. Its primary purpose is to seek insights from carriers regarding their firsthand experiences with detention and its correlation to their overall operational dynamics. Carriers are encouraged to provide details on the challenges posed by detention and articulate their strategies for mitigating its impact.

In the coming months, ATRI plans to unveil two additional surveys as part of this comprehensive research initiative. These subsequent surveys will be tailored for company drivers and shippers/receivers, respectively, ensuring a holistic examination of all the aspects of driver detention and how it impacts each part of the industry.

Motor carriers and owner-operators are invited to complete all of the surveys involved in this research and contribute valuable perspectives and data. The collective insights gained from these surveys aim to illuminate the intricate aspects of driver detention and pave the way for informed solutions that benefit the entire trucking industry. To participate, click here.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post Carrier Input Wanted on Possible Inputs of Detention Time appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

In the coming week, the Foundation will dispatch surveys on detention time and freight rates via email, seeking your valuable input.

Keep an eye on your inbox, and be sure to check your spam or junk folders for these Foundation surveys sent out on Friday, Dec. 1. Each survey is expected to take approximately 10 to 20 minutes to complete.

The surveys will cover various aspects, including your type of operation, business model, equipment, freight, location, hours of service, use of load boards, and operational costs, among other key areas.

The deadline for submitting the surveys is Dec. 31.

The Foundation underscores that unpaid detention time not only poses a financial burden but also adversely affects safety within the industry. Lawmakers and government agencies have directly approached OOIDA, expressing interest in understanding the impacts of detention time on the trucking sector.

By participating in this survey, you contribute valuable information that the Foundation can present to government officials, shedding light on the escalating detention time issue. The survey results will aid in proposing effective solutions to address this problem.

The Foundation stresses the significance of obtaining input from individuals across the trucking industry to provide comprehensive insights into the current state of the freight market.

While the Foundation issues its market updates monthly and quarterly, most surveys targeting large carriers dominate discussions on current economic conditions in trucking. However, the Foundation seeks your views and experiences regarding freight rates to ensure a representative understanding of the entire trucking industry.

Your participation in these surveys empowers the OOIDA Foundation to advocate for the industry and address the challenges faced by its members. Use your voice!

Source: Land Line

The post OOIDA Wants to Hear from Truck Drivers About Detention Time and Freight Rates appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.