WASHINGTON, D.C. — A lack of applicants has prompted the U.S. Federal Highway Administration to extend its deadline for motor carriers to sign up for the agency’s Global Positioning System (GPS) technology pilot demonstration project.

The project allows motor carriers to use GPS records to monitor drivers’ hours of service in lieu of requiring them to prepare handwritten records of duty status. It is intended to demonstrate that the trucking industry can use satellite-based tracking technology to improve compliance with the hours-of-service requirements while reducing paperwork. However, the FHWA has received no applications from trucking companies that want to join the test.

The project gained notoriety last year when the FHWA began a similar pilot project with Werner Enterprises, the Omaha, Neb.-based truckload carrier. The pilot exempts Werner drivers from the requirement to maintain paper logs.

The FHWA said other carrier have shown interest in the project, but have been unable to participate because they lack the information systems the agency requires.

For information, contact: Office of Motor Carrier Research and Standards (HCS-10), Federal Highway Administration, Dept. of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590; or call Neill L. Thomas, 202/366-4009.