Bridget Everett
A NEW ERA OF HEALTHCARE FOR TRUCK DRIVERS
PRESENTED FALL'19
Bridget Everett, Trevor Larson, Augustus Arther
2nd EDITION SPRING'25
Bridget Sheffler
INDUSTRY
Transportation
AI Innovation
DURATION
3 months
ROLE
Design Research
On-Site Field Logistics
Thematic Analysis
Concept Design
OVERVIEW
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are mandated tools in the trucking industry, primarily designed to ensure compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations for long-haul truck drivers.
While they serve a critical regulatory function, their current design often overlooks the day-to-day challenges faced by truck drivers, such as extremely limited access to most food options and the stress of rigid schedules.
This project explores how ELDs can be transformed into supportive tools that promote driver health and well-being.
THE CHALLENGE
How might we transform mandatory compliance tools into everyday allies that protect, empower, and improve life on the road for long-haul truckers?
Drivers deserve more than rigid tracking—they deserve tools that work with them, not against them.
This project challenges the status quo of regulation-first tech and explores how human-centered design can turn ELDs into proactive partners in health, safety, and daily decision-making.
RESEARCH APPROACH
To better understand drivers’ experiences, the study employed a mixed-methods research approach that included:
01 SEMI-STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS
We interviewed drivers on-site at one of the busiest truck stops on the outskirts of Seattle. Questions started broad—about routines, preparation, and work culture—then narrowed into food access, tech use, personal health.
02 GUIDED TOURS
After each interview, drivers invited us into their trucks—spaces they often described as “home" revealing how much of their personal life is compressed into a cab.
03 DIARY STUDY
We asked participants to send us photos of what they ate over the next three days. This method gave us unfiltered access to their food choices and helped contextualize their nutrition challenges in real time.
THANK YOU, DONNA.
PARTICIPANT RECRUITMENT
We began on the ground—at Donna’s Truck Stop off I-5 in Seattle, Washington—engaging directly with drivers in the environments they live and work in.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Each participant averaged 10–30 years of experience and took pride in their independence, endurance, and deep familiarity with the road. Many were veterans, with a shared sense of duty and resilience.
EMERGING THEMES
From these methods, strong patterns emerged across the board. These themes reflect not only what truckers do, but how they feel.
01 TECHNOLOGY AS A CONSTRAINT, NOT A COMPANION
Every driver in the study described Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) as a daily source of tension. Their rigidity stripped away autonomy and introduced friction into nearly every decision—dictating when to eat, where to rest, and how far to push in search of legal parking. With limited space and time, drivers were often forced to settle, not choose.
01 ISOLATION & MENTAL STRAIN
Mental health concerns surfaced frequently during interviews. Drivers described long stretches of solitude, extended time away from loved ones, and an overwhelming sense of being watched but unsupported. The constant monitoring by ELDs contributed to this pressure, creating an atmosphere of compliance over care. “You're always alone, always being watched—and there’s no one to talk to,” shared one participant.
01 NUTRITIONAL TRADE-OFFS
Despite equipping their cabs with microwaves or small fridges, most drivers had no access to fresh ingredients. The nearest meal was often a fast-food chain at a truck stop—not because it was preferred, but because it was the only option with parking. “You eat what you can where you can park,” one driver said. Few stops offered anything beyond the usual: fried food, soda, and limited variety.
01 TECH MISTRUST & WORKAROUNDS
Prolonged sitting, lack of exercise, and constant exposure to road vibrations contribute to musculoskeletal disorders among truck drivers. Studies indicate that a significant percentage of drivers suffer from back, neck, and joint pain, exacerbated by the sedentary nature of their work and limited opportunities for physical activity.
DIARY STUDIES
AI GENERATED vs RAW & UNFILTERED
By asking participants to self-document everything they ate over a three-day period, we gained a candid, unfiltered look into their food routines.
Drivers aren't choosing fast food because it's preferred—they're choosing it because it's accessible. Parking restrictions, limited time, and predictable chains leave few alternatives. The diary entries added visual weight to their words, confirming that health-conscious options are often out of reach, even for those who want to eat better.
"WHERE YOU FIND FOOD IS DEPENDANT ON WHERE YOU CAN PARK. YOU CAN'T STOP ANYWHERE. GPS WILL NOT SHOW YOU SPECIAL TRUCK ROUTES, I HAVE TO USE A PAPER MAP. NO ONE ON THE RADIO KNOWS ANYMORE GOOD MOM AND POP SPOTS. EVERY STOP IS THE SAME, IT'S EITHER SUBWAY OR CHESTER'S CHICKEN. THIS IS OUR HOME, AND NO ONE DESIGNS ANYTHING FOR US, THE ELD JUST WATCHES. ELECTRONIC LOGGING DEVICES ARE A PAIN IN MY ASS. THE ELD DOESN'T CARE IF THERE'S NO PARTKING, ONCE TIME'S UP, YOU'RE DONE.
DESIGN OPPORTUNITY
From these methods, strong patterns emerged across the board. These themes reflect not only what truckers do, but how they feel.
01 SMART ELD ENHANCEMENTS
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) are non-negotiable in the trucking world, but their compliance-first design often sidelines driver needs. We saw an opportunity to flip the narrative.
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By layering AI onto existing ELD systems, we introduced smarter features: real-time, personalized suggestions for upcoming stops, filtered by parking availability, drive-time limits, and food preferences. Instead of just counting down to a forced stop, the ELD becomes a guide—one that understands the road and respects the person driving.
02 SMARTER STOPS, HEALTHIER CHOICES
We designed a rotating food truck system powered by route data, peak stop hours, and driver behavior patterns. These trucks serve up healthier meals, with varied menus that rotate through high-traffic truck stops at the times drivers are most likely to need them.
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This removes the burden of detours, the guesswork of what's ahead, and the repetitive fast food fatigue that nearly every driver voiced.
IMPACT & REFLECTION
With thoughtful design, they can support healthier, safer decisions—without sacrificing driver autonomy.
TRANSFORMING COMPLIANCE INTO CARE
This study uncovered a crucial disconnect: while Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) were designed to promote safety and regulation, their rigid enforcement often strips truck drivers of autonomy and adds stress to daily decisions. Combined with limited parking and food access, these systems contribute to a lifestyle that undermines both physical and mental health. Drivers consistently voiced frustration over repetitive, unhealthy food choices—largely shaped by the corporatization of truck stops. Many longed for the personal touch and quality of independent "mom and pop" establishments, now harder to find or reach due to parking constraints. The problem isn’t preference—it’s access. ​These findings highlight an opportunity to redesign compliance tools as sources of support. By enhancing ELDs with features like real-time parking data, healthier food suggestions, and community-driven recommendations, we can begin transforming road life into something more humane, sustainable, and empowering.
2025 REFLECTION
Even years later, this 2019 study remains one of the most personal projects I’ve worked on. As a combat veteran, stepping into the world of long-haul trucking felt surprisingly familiar. Four of the five drivers I spoke with were fellow vets. We connected instantly—not just through stories of structure, discipline, and solitude, but through the shared weight of life spent far from home.
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What struck me most was their quiet pride. Despite the grueling schedules, limited resources, and constant pressure, these drivers showed up day after day with purpose. Since then, I’ve never passed a truck without thinking about the person behind the wheel—someone holding up a system most of us rarely notice. This work wasn’t just about improving tech; it was about honoring their humanity.