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Real-Time Truck Parking Space Availability at Two I-95 North Rest Areas
Real-Time Truck Parking Space Availability Demonstration System to go LIVE November 20, 2015 at Two I-95 North Rest Areas
Along the I-95 freight corridor, and across the nation, truckers often wander unsuccessfully in search of parking spaces. When they cannot find parking spaces, they frequently park on ramps and shoulders, which is dangerous for both the trucker and the traveling public. The I-95 Corridor Coalition (an alliance of transportation agencies along the Eastern Seaboard) and the Federal Highway Administration, supported by Schneider Electric Mobility, will begin testing its automated real-time truck parking space availability system – Truck 'N Park – beginning November 20, 2015. Testing for this automated technology will be conducted at two public rest areas in Virginia and Maryland for drivers traveling northbound along the I-95 corridor: I-95 North Ladysmith Rest Area, Ladysmith, VA (MM 107, approximately 30 miles north of Richmond); and I-95 North Welcome Center, Laurel, MD (MM 3Real-Time Truck Parking Space Availability Demonstration System to go LIVE November 20, 2015 at Two I-95 North Rest Areas 7, approximately 20 miles south of Baltimore).
Truck 'N Park can be accessed via the web at www.I95TruckParking.com or by calling the interactive voice response system (IVR) at 855-TRK-PARK (855-875-7275). Truck 'N Park can be configured from the website or phone system to automatically call a driver's cell phone at a specified time with updates on the number of empty parking spaces in the chosen lot. To mitigate driver distraction, the specialized phone system has a variety of built-in safety features. For instance, when a Call-Back is requested, but a driver cannot take the call, Truck 'N Park will stop calling after several rings and will try again later.
Truck 'N Park was developed to save truckers time, so when they're nearing a break they will know that there are spaces available to safely park their rigs. The number of open spaces at a given location is detected through in-pavement sensors, with data transmitted in real-time to the I95TruckParking.com website and the IVR phone system. Drivers may use the system free of charge and as often as needed. The pilot program's test period will continue for approximately four months, during which time truckers are encouraged to furnish feedback via the phone system or the website. Truck 'N Park encourages safety first and reminds drivers to use hands-free devices only. Privacy will be maintained. No data will be retained about drivers or their vehicles. Please visit I95TruckParking.com for more information.