Perhaps it’s time to fire up the NASA computers to find a workable solution to the hours-of-service reform being debated across the country. I know my simple calculator and an entire day devoted to finding the “perfect” formula was futile. So much for doing something productive on a lazy Sunday.

I could find no way to manipulate the numbers within the current system parameters and make it work to satisfy all the people who want or need to be satisfied.

My high school math teacher would call this kind of problem “unsolvable.” A rare occurrence in the mathematical field. The hours-of-service problem is unsolvable because the variables are out of whack. The variables include compensation, time, safety and greed.

The real problem is only two tangible variables are used for the calculation — time and competition. And for the most part that means miles and hours. The safety variable is much like beauty — it’s in the eye of the beholder. Once miles and hours are figured, the ciphering of safety begins by using whichever safety statistics suit the group solving the problem. Talk about your fuzzy math.

Few bother to use the greed variable because it doesn’t fit the respective formulas being used to solve the hours-of-service problem. Now greed isn’t a bad thing, per se. In fact, it is the key to a healthy industry. Greed motivates all involved, from the manufacturer of the goods all the way down to the truck driver. Maybe it’s because greed is so sacred to the trucking industry, no one really wants to mess with it.

Since we’ve got a problem with the problem, what should we do? Take away an hour of driving? Add more sleeper berth flexibility? End or extend the reset period?

Safety groups and labor interests want to see fewer hours available to drive. Some trucking groups like the American Trucking Associations want the current rule left alone, arguing that it is working and the roads are safer because of it.