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The objective of this paper is to describe a Class 8 heavy truck that the Virginia Tech Center for Transportation Research has modified and instrumented for use in evaluating Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies. The truck is capable of recording a variety of data, both electronic and video, in real-time from a suite of sensors and cameras that have been inconspicuously mounted on the tractor. The tractor, trailer, and instrumentation package enable Virginia Tech to conduct commercial vehicle ITS research related to safety and human factors, and advanced vehicle control systems (AVCS). This paper will describe the instrumentation package, and address both general and specific types of research that can be performed using this truck.

To better understand the issues surrounding commercial driver reliance upon in-vehicle sleeper berths for rest, ten focus groups were conducted with long-haul operators. These focus groups were held in eight cities across seven states to provide a geographically diverse sample of long-haul drivers. Issues that were explored included factors affecting the quality and quantity of sleep that drivers receive in sleeper berths, drivers' physical and mental fatigue while on the road, and other related safety issues associated with long-haul truck operations where sleeper berths are used. The results of these focus groups are presented and reflect a wide variety of driver comments, perceptions, suggestions, and recommendations.