MCSA-5878 Qualitative Discussion Guide One-on-one In Depth Intervi

Qualitative: Carriers
10/23/12

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

OMB Control Number: 2126-XXXX
Expiration Date:

MCSA-5878
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure
to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information
displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2126-XXXX. Public reporting for this
collection of information is estimated to be approximately 20 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering the
data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are voluntary and
confidentiality will be provided to the extent allowed by law. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection Clearance Officer, Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration, MC-RRA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. 20590-0001.

Survey Research to Support Revisions to the Agency’s
Electronic Onboard Recorder (EOBR) Rule
Qualitative Discussion Guide
One-on-one In Depth Interview with Carriers
Recruitment Questionnaire

ASK TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN CHARGE OF THE TRUCK FLEETS AND DRIVERS. POTENTIAL
TITLES INCLUDE: FLEET MANAGER, FLEET SUPERVISOR, TRAFFIC MANAGER, DISPATCHER.
TRY AND GET THE NAME OF THE PERSON TO WHOM YOU WILL BE TRANSFERRED.
IF ASKED FOR EXPLANATION.
R1. My name is {INTERVIEWER NAME) and I’m calling from Abt SRBI, a national research company.
We’re conducting a very important research project about freight and truck driving for the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration and your company was scientifically selected as a company to
participate.
ONCE TRANSFERRED TO THE INDIVIDUAL/ASSISTANT.
R2. My name is {INTERVIEWER NAME) and I’m calling from Abt SRBI, a national research company.
We’re conducting a very important research project about freight and truck driving for the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration and your company was scientifically selected as a company to
participate. We’re specifically looking for people whose responsibilities are to manage truck fleets
and their drivers. Are you, yourself, responsible for managing truck drivers at your company?
1
2

Yes
No

3
4

Unavailable
Refused

Continue
Ask for name of individual with that responsibility, and ask to be
transferred
Set up callback.
Attempt to convert. Say: “The subject of this survey is of significant
interest to the trucking industry. Your participation isn’t mandatory, but it
would be very valuable.” If unsuccessful, thank and terminate.

WHEN SPEAKING TO THE PERSON WITH THIS RESPONSIBILITY (NOT THE ASSISTANT).
R3. Before we continue, I want to point out that this is solely for research purposes, and everything you
say will be held in the strictest confidence. Some of the topics are of a sensitive nature, and cover
regulations and compliance. But this is only for research purposes, and your participation is voluntary,
not mandatory. Can we continue?
1
2

Yes
No

Continue
Thank and Terminate. Do not attempt to convert refusal.
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Qualitative: Carriers
10/23/12
R4. Let’s start off with a few preliminary questions. First, what is your title?
R5. And, how long have you held this position at your company?
R6. Did you hold a similar position at another company? (How many years?)

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Qualitative: Carriers
10/23/12
R7. Now, I’m going to read you a list of various equipment which some carriers have put into their trucks.
Not all have done so. Please let me know which of them, if any, are in your company’s trucks.
(READ LIST. CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

GPS devices
Radio or satellite communication devices
Fuel management systems
Devices which automatically log drivers’ hours of service, either as a stand-alone device or as
part of a multi-function system
Devices which cap the truck’s speed
Information panels telling drivers of their progress
Systems which alert you to erratic or unsafe driving
Other (SPECIFY)

9

None of these

R8. And, are your trucks’ shipments interstate or all within one state?
1
2
3
4

Interstate
All within one state
A mix
Don’t know/Not sure

5

Refused

Thank respondent. You probably haven’t reached the right person,
ask to speak to someone else with these responsibilities.
Thank and terminate

IF ANSWER TO R7=4, QUALIFIES FOR “USER.” IF NOT, QUALIFIES FOR “NON-USER.” IF QUOTA
NOT REACHED, CONTINUE WITH R9. OTHERWISE THANK AND TERMINATE.
R9. Thank you. What I’d like to do is set up an appointment for an interview with a specialist to call you.
The discussion will take about a half hour, and as with this discussion you and I have had, everything
will be held confidential. It is only for research purposes. If you wish it can be conducted during your
business hours or at some other time at another number.
SET UP APPOINTMENT AND THANK RESPONDENT. CONFIRM DAY, TIME, AND PHONE NUMBER
BEFORE ENDING CALL.

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