Truck Parking Shortage a Nationwide Concern
Nearly half of the state departments of transportation surveyed by DOT reported that truckers are forced to park on freeway interchange ramps and shoulders of highways, which creates a safety issue.
The Federal Highway Administration released survey results Aug. 21 that illuminate a lack of truck parking information and capacity across the nation, and the agency called for a national coalition to address the problem. Nearly half of the state departments of transportation surveyed reported that truckers are forced to park on freeway interchange ramps and shoulders of highways, which creates a safety issue.
"We know truck parking has been a longstanding problem in our nation and we need new approaches to fix it," said U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Victor Mendez. "Now more than ever, this country needs better planning, investment, and innovation from those who have a stake in safe truck parking and transportation."
The National Coalition on Truck Parking announced the same day that it will continue working to find solutions to truck parking needs and will include the FHWA, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Trucking Associations, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, the National Association of Truck Stop Operators, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in finding solutions.
"Without truck drivers, America's businesses would suffer and the economy would come to a halt," said Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. "They deliver the goods and products we use every day and are critical to safe freight movement in our country."
The surface transportation funding measure enacted by Congress and known as MAP-21 required DOT to conduct the survey to determine whether adequate parking is available for truck drivers based on the level of commercial traffic. DOT surveys state departments of transportation, safety officials, truckers, truck stop operators, and other trucking industry stakeholders.