The Crisis of National Truck Parking Shortages

Slate featured an important article discussing the critical issue of the national truck parking shortage in the United States. Following a tragic incident involving a Greyhound bus colliding with parked 18-wheelers on an off-ramp in Illinois, the hazards posed by illegal parking due to the lack of designated spaces for trucks has been highlighted. Truckers consistently face challenges finding safe and legal places to park, as surveys show the shortage has become a serious problem. This results in lost wages, supply chain disruptions, and more trucks on the road.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg acknowledged the importance of addressing the issue, citing the need to provide truckers with safe rest areas for their well-being and efficiency. A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing for a $750 million investment in building more truck parking spaces to address the problem directly. The scarcity of truck parking spaces is further complicated by increased trucking regulations that require more rest time, the adoption of electronic logging devices, and the rise of just-in-time supply chains. Additionally, urban development and truck-parking bans have limited available space for truckers to park, exacerbating the situation.

Most truck parking is currently free at public rest areas or privately run truck stops, however, paid parking is becoming a more common solution, with private operators surpassing states in providing parking spots. Truck drivers are in many ways the backbone of the supply chain in the United States, issues that affect them in some way affect all of us. The national truck parking shortage is a serious concern that negatively impacts truckers’ safety, efficiency, and livelihoods. Addressing this issue requires significant investment and strategic planning to create safe and accessible parking spaces for the trucking industry.

At Fleet Parking, it is our mission to make truck parking more accessible, safe and efficient for truck drivers. Call us today at 201-926-2376 to learn more about our various parking locations and services.

Read the Full Slate Article here: https://slate.com/business/2023/07/truck-parking-shortage-freight-congress.html