The truck parking issue can be broken in to two separate problems. First that there is simply not enough safe, reliable parking to go around, and second, that even when there are open spots, it can take lots of time spent cruising around multiple different rest areas to find one. A new program that’s about to roll out nationwide hopes to make it easy for drivers to find nearby parking.
Signs like this one have already appeared along I-94 in Michigan. It is part of a network of road signs, apps, websites, and in-cab messaging systems that are used to give drivers an accurate, real-time idea of where there are open truck spots. It’s called the Truck Parking Information and Management System. Detection cameras and other sensors are used to see which spaces are open at what rest areas.
So far the program has been a hit with both drivers and carriers. Drivers love it since it makes it easier for them to find parking, which, among other things, means that they’re not as likely to go over hours while trying to find a suitable parking spot. Carriers love it not only because it makes their drivers happier, but also because it means that it essentially gives their drivers more time that they can spend driving. A report by HNTB estimates that if the program was available nationwide, it would save the industry $4.4 billion per year in lost revenue.
The program is the result of a partnership between HNTB Corporation and Truck Smart Parking Services, Inc. It is still in its preliminary phase through December, but according to HNTB, their goal is “a ubiquitous, multi-state, corridor-focused network that covers a truckers’ route from origin to destination.”
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Source: ccjdigital, hntb
Image Source: hntb
Adam says
Ok, that is pretty cool. As long as its accurate though. I would assume personally when the numbers get low enough, Like 5-10 spots open, that there are really 2 or 3 given some margin of error. But it would be nice to know where there are spots.
John says
I wonder how long this system will stay reliable? I think its a good ideal, but in the end it does not really solve the problem of a lack of parking spaces available. So now you have signs that tell you in the middle of the night there are no spaces? I guess that helps to prevent you from wasting time stopping and looking. Some places, I can barely get out of a truck stop in the morning because of so many trucks illegally parked. What we need, is a complex study of areas that are desperate for more truck parking and find incentives to create more spaces. I have no doubt more paid parking is coming because you have to find a way to pay for large areas of land and maintain the parking area. Just think of how many older truck stops closed with large parking areas because they could not afford to stay in business.
patty says
Call ahead to reserve a spot,,,for a fee,,,,,,, its coming, ,, watch
EPASUX says
It’s already here Ta/Petro
Brian W says
Unfortunately, in most of Oklahoma, that sign would say
Truck Parking
Next 331 Exits: 0
Corey Jackson says
The real issue is not enough parking. Most mom and pop truckstops that have large parking lots are being targeted by the large corporate “travel plazas”. Large chains like Pilot want to knock out the competition, so they can continue to build their little “travel plazas” that only have at most 30-40 spots and cater more to four-wheelers. Dont even get me started on their ridiculus prices. Example, if you pass through Meridian, Ms, take a look at the difference in fuel price between the Pilot and the Queen City truckstop. Queen City is sometimes 30 cents cheaper. But Pilot has their loyal customers in those super large companies who I will not name. These same large companies are the ones who make a beeline to the parking spots at 4pm, filling up the lots while the real drivers are still trucking. Then once the real truckers finally look for somewhere to park at 10 or 11 pm, they have the luxury of riding through thelots, only to see it filled full of Freightliners, Volvos, and Internationals belonging to the big companies. Most of the drivers of these trucks are not resting, but on their laptops, watching tv, or inside at the buffet or getting a double burger combo from whatever fast food joint that’s built into the “travel plaza”. So whats a driver to do, knock off his workday early to get a spot, or actually log some miles then be out of luck trying to find parking? Ok, I’m done ranting.
Joe Skeptical says
Choose not to drive.
I often asked the dispatcher to tell me where to park, what route I should take and to guarantee there would be parking, as a condition of accepting the deadline. Obviously I got laughed at, so I told him the load might be late, but you promised a delivery time making assumptions.
550 miles today & again tomorrow will leave 600 for Day 3 but I’ll be out of hours 50-100 miles from delivery (assuming no delays) so where do I park, Einstein? You’ve explained the load will get there Day 4 AM, right?
“Trip planning is your job” comes the answer. More unpaid work I’m no longer willing to do. PTI, trailer sweep, wash, fueling, B/L sent on Transflo, produce calls etc, all unpaid and trips too, as parking gets more scarce by the minute?
Choose not to drive.
Russell says
What you do is get your lazy ass out of bed before 9 am then you dont have to drive till 11 pm. I make a beeline for a
Russell says
For a parking spot at 6 pm because im up driving at 4 am and im out of hours by then
EPASUX says
Yea it’s so damn frustrated!
stephen says
A similar system operates at the Portland (OR) airport. There is a sensor overhead that reads when a space is occupied and the number of spaces on a floor is displayed. Very accurate, very good. I can see this being great for truck stops, rest areas and service plazas and I can see drivers choosing those places first for stopping just for the convenience. Especially if they make this available as an app on the phone.
While I generally am the last to embrace the latest g-whiz electronic gizmos, I love this one. I hope the majors will adapt it.
TRICK1 says
Now if they can start rolling out drivers who know how to park so you can get in next to or across from them.
Kurt says
What did this system cost, and what will it cost to maintain. Now tell me how many new parking spaces could have been built for that much money.
T Owens says
I’m with you Kurt. How many millions have to be spent to hire new gov idiocrats to do a survey to monitor the parking issues. How many new jobs were created and at what expense. Now they have to have a new office building gov transportation and so on. Logically it would have been faster and cheaper to hire Joe Bob construction who by the way is probibly on brink of bankruptcy due to gov regulations etc. could have just built better and bigger rest areas for drivers. I wouldn’t mind payin a couple bucks for a parking spot if it were clean with a crapper. and even have a wanna be rent a cop on site , but it’s Hiway robbery what the others charge. They should at least give ya a kiss when they done with ya. This Lil ol sign may actually help I hope but it is just big bro getting more involved where he should never be!!! Don’t forget to go home and get rest before you vote this Nov.
EPASUX says
+1
sam says
I’m pretty sure most experienced drivers know where you won’t find a parking spot for sure at certain parts of the country. We just need more parking spots not signs telling us there won’t be parking spaces available at night.
JW says
Funny I drive by that sign every day in my day cab job. (Galesburg, MI on 94) It is just partially working now and definitely was not working last winter when the picture was taken.
Igor says
Drove couple days ago and see one of those sing and it show 8 parking space i turn there it was actually 0 ,on the way back it show same 8 but lot was completely empty..
bigdog davis says
well hope it’s a good thing but realy need more parking in places like I-85 in nc m,m,111 to 80 and in wv I-77
Ray says
Any little thing helps I guess. Maybe one day they’ll construct more parking for truckers.
dude says
I don’t need an electronic sign to tell me that every rest area in the country is full after 8PM!
Dan says
Of course charge for parking in places our tax money payed for. Fingers deeper into our pockets. Don’t forget… that will include tax also.
tmh says
I have seen these signs in MI, and I really like the idea.
The story says that there are apps for this – does anyone know which apps are tied in to this system?
thanks
Brian says
There needs to be some mechanism for a driver to ‘reserve’ a spot at one of these areas. Something such as an app that allows you to drop the count by one at a particular area, as long as you are in the proximity of the sign board, and you have sufficient drive time to reach that particular area. There may be 20 spaces available, but there may also be 20 trucks between the sign and the parking area that are planning to park there.