BALTIMORE - - A team of researchers looking into driver fatigue is offering drivers $450 apiece to participate in a study, and all it will take is about 40 minutes a day over two duty cycles.

There are no catches.

The “Scheduling and Fatigue Recovery Project” is jointly sponsored by Transport Canada and the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Successful applicants will be drivers in either the U.S. or Canada who regularly use the 34 or 36-hour restart.

Also, applicants must:

*Have at least one year driving experience, with at least six months at their present company;

*Have a safe driving record with no “at fault” accidents or moving violations within the previous six months;

*Have no history of logbook falsification;

* Have no drug or alcohol abuse in the previous year;

* Be willing to participate in all aspects of the project, including using a (supplied) smartphone to complete daily questionnaires and tests and wearing a wristwatch-shaped device to record activity and sleep.

Dr. Francine James, at the Baltimore-based Institute for Behavior Resources assured todaystrucking.com that the offer really is as straightforward and as simple as it appears.

“Of course we’re assuring full confidentiality,” she says, adding that participating drivers will be helping contribute to recommendations that will affect drivers and trucking safety throughout North America.

The researchers need 76 drivers: 26 in Canada and 50 in the U.S.

If you’re interested, you can email Dr. James at fjames@ibrinc.org or call 410-752-6080 ext 149.

And be sure to read the December issue of Today's Trucking magazine for a complete report on the study and its ramifications for the industry.