In The News

Truckers to FHWA: ‘We have a parking problem’

Truckers have known for ages that truck parking is a precious commodity. Finding a safe and secure location to park is becoming more and more rare – forcing truckers to find a spot in sometimes dangerous locations.

The Federal Highway Administration and Congress have been aware of that lack of parking facilities for heavy-duty trucks for many years. In fact, in SAFETEA-LU, the public law that authorizes the Federal transportation programs, has provided funds and a mandate that FHWA establish a pilot program to address long-term parking shortages.

On Nov. 27, 2009, FHWA published a request for comments on a New Information Collection in order to establish a “real-time dissemination of publicly or privately provided commercial  motor vehicle parking availability” using Intelligent Transportation Systems.

The plan calls for electronic notification to let drivers know the availability of parking spaces in their area. Obviously knowing that there is or is not availability will help – but that is just a small part of the issue and does not make more space available. 

OOIDA is collecting input from members to file comments with FHWA. Click here to fill out the online survey. The survey will only be collecting data through Jan. 22.

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