Truck parking facility management includes a combination of strategies that aim at providing guidance on where trucks may legally park, improving safety and security at truck stops to mitigate the risk of theft and other safety hazards. It also includes technologies such as real-time parking availability systems and mobile apps to help truck drivers locate available parking spots.
Key characteristics
Other names
- Commercial Driver Rest Area
- Commercial Truck Usage Parking
- Truck Parking Information Management System
Strategy description
Truck parking management is the process of managing designated parking areas for trucks, with the purpose of improving safety, efficiency, and security and supporting CV operators in their compliance with federal regulations. This involves implementing regulations and guidelines for parking, ensuring compliance with local and federal regulations, and providing additional services such as fueling, maintenance, and surveillance. Effective truck parking management requires collaboration between local authorities, trucking companies, and other stakeholders. By properly managing truck parking areas, municipalities and private companies can reduce the negative impact of unregulated truck parking, such as environmental damage, traffic congestion, and safety risks as well as reducing the safety issues around drivers operating vehicle over the hours of service requirements.
When to use this strategy
Truck parking facility management is used to address the growing need for safe and secure parking spaces for commercial trucks. It is typically implemented in areas where there is high demand for truck parking, such as major highways, rest areas, and distribution centers. Truck parking management should be used in locations with high volumes of commercial traffic such as ports and state/international border crossings and where major roadways require closure for inclement weather.
Benefits:
- Increased safety because properly managed truck parking areas can significantly increase safety for both truck drivers and other road users and reduces incentives to violate safety rules around hours of service.
- Improved efficiency because efficient truck parking management can reduce wait times for drivers, allowing them to spend more time on the road and less time searching for parking.
- Better security because secure truck parking areas with well-lit areas and surveillance cameras can help reduce the risk of cargo theft and vandalism.
- Improved traffic flow because unregulated truck parking can lead to traffic congestion and delays, particularly in urban areas.
- Improved use of resources during winter weather events. A truck parking strategy during winter closures will encourage drivers to stop and park versus operating in unsafe conditions.
What you need in order to implement
Policy needs:
- Agencies should develop and implement policies to actively regulate truck parking
Planning needs:
- A plan is needed to include strategies for truck parking management
Coordination needs:
- Agencies should coordinate with local and regional freight businesses as well as other truck users. State DOT’s are hard pressed to expand or even maintain truck parking at rest areas so collaboration with private firms who provide truck parking is required.
Learn more about this strategy
About key characteristics
Location notes:
At locations where CV is permitted, particularly where parking demand approaches or exceeds parking supply.
Cost notes:
Costs associated with truck parking at existing facilities are medium as the costs are for technology improvements or low-cost enhancements such as signing and striping.
Technology notes:
Technology needs associated with truck parking and facility management are medium since it might involve building a platform to manage truck parking including technologies that determine occupancy.
Collaboration notes:
High levels of collaboration are necessary to develop strategies and policies for truck parking and facility management because it includes collaboration between state, local and possibly the federal government as well as with private entities such as trucking associations and truck stop operators.