US House Bill Includes $200M for Truck Parking

 

A new legislative push aims to alleviate a significant challenge faced by truck drivers across the United States: the chronic shortage of safe and accessible truck parking. U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., has been instrumental in securing $200 million for truck parking in the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee’s funding bill on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development. Womack, who chairs the subcommittee, has received commendations from the American Trucking Associations (ATA) for his efforts.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has long identified the limited availability of truck parking as a “national safety concern.” This sentiment is echoed by findings from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which reports that 98% of truck drivers regularly struggle to find safe parking spots. According to the American Transportation Research Institute, this issue translates to drivers spending an average of 56 minutes each day searching for parking, effectively reducing their annual pay by $5,600.

ATA President and CEO Chris Spear highlighted the critical nature of the parking shortage, noting that it places an enormous burden on drivers who often end their shifts uncertain about where they will sleep. Spear emphasized that the $200 million investment would help expand parking capacity, reduce stress on drivers, improve freight efficiency, and enhance road safety for all motorists.

The truck parking problem is exacerbated by the nation’s economic demands, which rely heavily on a robust trucking industry to transport goods. In response, the Biden administration announced $80 million in grants in September aimed at improving highway safety, including measures to expand truck parking. Additionally, Pilot Travel Centers has committed to adding 500 parking spaces across the country.

Shannon Newton, President of the Arkansas Trucking Association, praised Rep. Womack’s initiative, stating that the bill reflects his understanding of the critical need for safe and accessible rest areas for the men and women delivering America’s freight. This legislative effort is a significant step towards addressing the longstanding truck parking crisis, providing much-needed support to the nation’s truck drivers.

 

Source:

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-house-bill-includes-200m-for-truck-parking