ARLINGTON, Va. — if there’s one thing truckers have an opinion on, it’s speed limiters. And the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) wants to hear ’em.

The research arm of the American Trucking Association is collecting data from fleets on truck speed limiters and fuel consumption as part of a research initiative aimed at documenting the impact of speed limiters on a fleet’s safety and operations.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-sponsored study will analyze impacts from speed limiter use versus non-use, and ATRI is seeking involvement from both carriers that use speed limiters and those that do not. ATRI will also collect information on other safety and operational policies and metrics.

Despite the fact that speed limiters are voluntarily used by a significant portion of the U.S. trucking industry to manage fuel consumption and improve safety, there’s a lot of information on the specific safety and fuel management benefits, ATRI says. The study will delve into those benefits.

All data collected by ATRI will remain strictly confidential.

The ATA is in favor of a national mandate to limit speed on trucks to 65 mph.

Ontario and Quebec are currently the only two North American jurisdictions to require speed limiters — so far, with little noticeable impact. 

To participate in the survey, or if you have any questions contact Dan Murray of ATRI at (651) 641-6162 or dmurray@trucking.org.