Is this a good idea?

I think I speak for the rest of the trucking community when I submit the following....

For said area to be truly inviting to the trucking world, it should offer the following, as a bare minimum:

• If you don't pave it, at least gravel it in....drivers of big rigs aren't attracted by mud bogs.
• Grade it properly, to allow for truly proper precip runoff.
• Install after-dark lighting for the area, on some level.

Bonus points if you can also offer:

• Some sort of on-site restroom facilities -- and of course, maintain it.
  
• Perimeter fencing...and a working gate.

Then...you need to promote your offering....in the right places.

Having said all that...there's really no such thing as enough/too much big-rig parking (short, or long-term)--especially in/near metro areas of the United States.

--Lual

 

Houston, TX....as far as I'm concerned...is pretty much a hurricane "magnet"...and is of course no stranger to such.

Thus -- I can't emphasize enough -- that you slope/grade the parking area, to allow for proper water runoff/drainage -- especially during hurricane (or similar) conditions.

You will lose business (and also, develop a bad reputation) if you don't do this -- properly.

-- Lual

 

If the property were mine -- and I had a similar motivation to yours -- I would eliminate ALL possibility of standing water (retention ponds, or similar).

Standing water is nothing more than a wonderful breeding ground for mosquitoes -- and thus, a source of potential disease (and also....obviously a pest problem).

A sick driver is (of course) a miserable driver. In most cases, it also means a driver who is broke (or not earning money)...and thus, cannot afford your services.

Don't allow for stationary water. Be a trucking hero, instead -- drain it off somewhere.

-- Lual

 

You're in the Houston area (where it rains all the time), so definitely invest in your sitework. Pavement, or at least very well-compacted caliche topped with compacted asphalt millings.

Also, you should probably offer restrooms and potable water for the drivers to use, plenty of trash cans, and vending machines or have a taco lady come around to keep the hungry drivers happy.

 

If you go with the asphalt millings make sure its laid out and compacted in thin layers, dont let your earthwork contractor lay it out anything thicker than 3-4 inches. Well blended with clean sand you can go a bit heavier. Anything poorly compacted will punch through on those hot days.

 

A spot on a local industrial road just cleared, fenced, lights and paved with concrete strips for the landing gear.

It looks like a key card auto gate.

Nearby a few empty lots were cleared, large gravel compacted and similar gates.

People are starting to understand the need for secure rental parking in busy areas.