Secure, authorized, and obtainable parking for business motor automobiles stays a significant concern for motor carriers {and professional} truck drivers. Truck parking has ranked as one of many high 5 objects within the annual “Vital Points within the Trucking Business” report from the American Transportation Analysis Institute (ATRI) for the final two years.
The common truck driver loses $5,500 annually in time spent trying to find parking. Plus, an estimated 70% of truck drivers have been compelled to violate hours of service (HOS) guidelines whereas searching for authorized parking.
The loss of life of truck driver Jason Rivenburg in 2009 raised public consciousness of the absence of obtainable truck parking. The tragedy prompted Congress to cross Jason’s Legislation as a part of the 2012 freeway funding invoice and triggered an annual truck parking survey below the identical identify.
A survey alone will not be an answer, nonetheless. The most recent Jason’s Legislation report reveals a 24% surge over the past 4 years within the share of truck drivers who commonly have issues discovering parking. At present that determine stands at 98% of truck drivers!
Whereas the 2021 “Infrastructure Invoice” failed to deal with truck parking straight, it elevated funding to infrastructure accounts that may pay for truck parking. Many within the trucking trade imagine the federal government should now take a severe have a look at this significant issue and spend a few of these {dollars} on truck parking. A step in that course might have simply taken place.
The U.S. Division of Transportation (USDOT) just lately printed a “Provide Chain Evaluation of the Transportation Industrial Base: Freight and Logistics.” The report lists points the place the federal authorities might help enhance transportation.
This entry ranks excessive amongst these points:
“Help State DOTs and the non-public sector to develop and implement methods that develop truck parking availability per native land use concerns and tackle security of relaxation areas.”
A joint letter from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Proprietor-Operator Impartial Drivers Affiliation (OOIDA) to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg might have prompted the USDOT to supply the evaluation. ATA and OOIDA urged Secretary Buttigieg to “educate state and native companions about this eligibility [truck parking as an eligible expenditure] and prioritize funding for grants that may enhance truck parking capability.”
As well as, each trucking associations assist H.R. 2187, a invoice launched by Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) to fund truck parking on the elevated price of $775 million over 5 years.
Till authorities motion occurs, motor carriers can take these steps to assist their drivers discover truck parking and keep away from risks:
- Plan. Ask drivers to report potential parking areas and comply with up with property house owners and native officers to find out availability, security, and legality.
- Work with prospects. A couple of might permit in a single day parking. Many will settle for a 30-minute relaxation break on their property, if drivers merely ask. If the shopper doesn’t permit parking, work with them to seek out protected and authorized truck parking close by.
- Educate drivers on HOS guidelines. The 2020 hours of service rule adjustments created extra flexibility for drivers taking the 30-minute relaxation break. For in a single day parking, drivers ought to clearly perceive easy methods to use the “private conveyance” choice to achieve a protected parking location.
- Get rid of guesswork. Study from what occurred to Jason Rivenburg. Search for protected and authorized parking choices earlier than driving. Open communication amongst all provider group members might help present correct info.
