Introduction:
The trucking industry is the lifeblood of our economy, ensuring the timely transportation of goods across vast distances. However, a critical issue plagues the industry, one that affects not only the well-being of truckers but also the safety of all road users: the shortage of adequate rest areas for truckers. The shortage of suitable rest areas for truckers is a critical issue that demands urgent attention. A US Department of Transportation survey found that 98% of drivers reported problems finding safe places to stop. By addressing the root causes of this problem and implementing comprehensive solutions, we can create a safer, more sustainable road environment for truckers and all those who share the highways. It’s time for concerted efforts from policymakers, communities, and private stakeholders to ensure that our truckers have the rest they need to navigate our roads safely.
The Scarcity of Rest Areas:
The trucking industry is booming, transporting a total of $948 billion in freight in 2022. Trucking employment increased by 8% in 2022. However, truck stops are not increasing at the same rate, meaning driver’s difficulties finding parking continues to compound year over year. Scarcity can be attributed to several factors:
Limited Space and Zoning Restrictions
The expansion of rest areas requires considerable space, and in densely populated areas, this can be a challenge. Zoning restrictions may further limit the establishment of rest areas, leading to inadequate facilities for truckers. The increasing demand for truck parking spaces surpasses the available supply. As the trucking industry continues to grow, the existing infrastructure struggles to accommodate the rising numbers of trucks on the road. Truckers are generally paid by mile, but US regulations are determined based off an hourly work rate. Truckers must take a 10 hour stop after every 11 hours on the clock. For truckers to maximize their pay, they try to drive as much as possible within those 11 hours. The search for a parking spot eats into their pay. An American Transport Research Institute report found that truckers spend a whopping 56 minutes a day just looking for parking. This adds up to an average $4,600 lost by truckers each year due to parking shortages. In fact, the American Trucking Association reported that there are 11 truck drivers for every 1 parking spot.
Urbanization
Rapid urbanization has led to a surge in demand for land, often encroaching upon areas that could be designated for truck parking. Prime real estate near highways is frequently earmarked for commercial or residential development, leaving little room for the creation of dedicated truck rest areas. The Federal Highway Administration found that the biggest need for parking is within 20 miles of urban areas. However, urban areas are where land is the most expensive, leading potential truck stops to cower away, especially with the increased competition for land. The shortage of trucker-friendly rest stops stems from decades of insufficient infrastructure planning. As highways expanded to accommodate increasing traffic, the focus has primarily been on optimizing routes and ensuring efficient flow, often at the expense of prioritizing safe and accessible rest areas for truckers.
Budgetary Constraints
Building and maintaining rest areas involve significant costs, and state and federal budgets may prioritize other infrastructure projects over the creation of new rest areas. Governments don’t see truck stops as profitable because they offer free parking, meaning governments may choose other projects that offer a better return on investment. This financial constraint contributes to the limited availability of suitable stopping points for truckers. Over the years, nationally, congressmen have introduced several bills to solve this issue. For example, Rep. Mike Boost introduced the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act which would have increased funding for rest stops or bills mandating states establish a certain number of truck parking spots. However, none of these bills have managed to pass both houses of Congress.
Local Opposition
In some cases, local communities may resist the establishment of rest areas due to concerns about noise, traffic, or potential impacts on property values. This opposition can hinder the development of much-needed rest areas. Local communities often resist the construction of rest stops due to concerns about increased crime, noise, traffic, and environmental impact, making it challenging to find suitable locations. 18 states have laws limiting the amount of time that drivers can stop at public rest stops. For example, in Illinois, drivers may only stop at a public rest stop for 3 hours. This does not allow enough time for fatigued truckers to get a full night’s rest, and truckers who drive fatigued are more at risk of causing an accident. Illinois reasons that the law is to prevent people from camping and prevent illicit activity.
According to a study by Owner-Operator Independent Driver’s Association (OODIA), 15% of drivers have been awoken and asked to leave the premises due to time limits at rest stops. The Federal Highway Administration recommends the elimination of time limits at rest stops less than 8 hours. While time limits may allow more short term parking, these time limits may cause crashes due to fatigued drivers. Following this recommendation, Kentucky, who normally imposes a time limit of four hours at rest stops, has removed this restriction for seven new “truck havens” across the state.
Dangers Arising from Insufficient Rest Areas:
The shortage of rest areas for truckers poses substantial dangers, not only to the drivers themselves but also to other motorists sharing the road:
Driver Fatigue and Safety Risks
Insufficient rest areas contribute to driver fatigue, a critical factor in the occurrence of accidents. Fatigued truckers are more prone to errors, slower reaction times, and an increased risk of accidents, jeopardizing the safety of everyone on the road. Truckers, facing tight schedules and stringent delivery deadlines, may push themselves to the brink of exhaustion. Accidents resulting from exhausted drivers can have devastating consequences for other motorists and pedestrians. The National Transportation Safety Board estimates that fatigued driving is a factor in 30 to 40% of semi accidents.
Driving in Bad Weather
A shortage of parking places can also cause semi drivers to continue driving in adverse weather conditions. The CDL manual recommends that professional truck drivers get off the roadway as soon as is practical and safe when faced with ice covered roads. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act requires truck drivers to use extreme caution when faced with conditions that adversely affect traction or visibility. Forcing commercial motor vehicles to stay on the road or park in unsafe places endangers everyone. Truckers should be encouraged by trucking companies to pull off in bad weather conditions. The problem is that they need a place to stop and park.
Illegal Parking and Congestion
In the absence of designated rest areas, truckers may resort to illegal parking on highway shoulders or off-ramps, leading to congestion and compromising traffic flow. This is extremely dangerous as trucks that are parked on the side of highways reduce the line of sight for other vehicles, making it harder to see them. This creates hazardous conditions and increases the likelihood of accidents. In a Federal Highway Administration study, researchers observed 43.8% of trucks were illegally parked overnight. One St. Louis truck driver, Patrick Kennedy, emphasized the dangers that lack of parking spaces causes “I’ve seen it before,” he said. “People park crazy. They’re out of hours.” So, they just stop and they’ll park anywhere,” Kennedy said. “They’ll be sticking out in a lane and trucks come by and they’re overtired and driving all night. They slam into them.” Inadequate truck parking contributes to the degradation of highway infrastructure. The constant presence of heavy trucks on the shoulders and ramps leads to increased wear and tear, necessitating more frequent and costly repairs. I have handled numerous car accidents involving semis parked along the side of the road, on entrance and exit ramps, and other dangerous locations. These areas are particularly dangerous at night or in bad weather.
Health and Well-being of Truckers
Adequate rest is crucial for the health and well-being of truckers. The lack of suitable rest areas deprives them of essential breaks, contributing to stress, sleep deprivation, and long-term health issues. Drivers may experience stress and anxiety during the search for a parking spot. One driver from a Lighthouse Research Focus Group emphasized the danger that truckers can find themselves in without parking, “Our trucks have GPS on them, and if your time’s up, your truck shuts down on you. If you can’t get into a place, you could be shut down on the side of the highway.”
Economic Implications and Theft
Accidents involving fatigued truckers have substantial economic repercussions. The costs associated with property damage, medical expenses, and potential litigation place an undue burden on both the trucking industry and the broader economy. Parking in an unauthorized spot can leave the driver with fines if they are caught from $150 to up to $1,600. While enforcing restrictions on illegal parking and implementing penalties for non-compliance might appear to discourage unsafe practices, it only punishes truckers for a problem in which the root issue of not having enough legal truck parking spots is not their fault.
Drivers who are forced to park in an unsecure lot put themselves at risk of theft. A Supply Chain Intelligence Center report found that 75% of cargo thefts occurred in unsecured parking locations costing trucking companies millions. In 2009, truck driver Jason Rivenburg was driving in Virginia when he began looking for a parking spot to rest as the location he was delivering to did not allow truckers to park overnight. Jason had been recommended by other drivers in the area that a close-by abandoned gas station would be a safe to place to park at. During the night, Jason was murdered during a botched robbery attempt. Following his death, Jason’s wife, Hope Rivenburg has advocated for designated, safe overnight parking spots for truckers.
Solving the Rest Area Dilemma:
Addressing the scarcity of rest areas for truckers requires a multifaceted approach, involving collaboration between government agencies, communities, and private stakeholders:
Increased Funding for Rest Area Infrastructure
Governments at the state and federal levels should allocate sufficient funding for the planning, construction, and maintenance of rest areas. While federal funding would help to solve the issue, local governments also have the power to help. Municipalities should recognize the importance of trucking to the economy and earmark funding for safe and secure parking facilities. Prioritizing these facilities in infrastructure budgets is essential to ensuring the safety of truckers and other road users. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has embarked on a $600 million project that plans to add more than 1,100 additional truck parking spots. The Kankakee Welcome Center was recently renovated, adding 160 parking spots to it’s previous 40. INDOT plans to renovate 21 rest stops by 2034.
Public-Private Partnerships
Collaboration between public entities and private stakeholders, such as truck stop operators or businesses along highways, can lead to the establishment of more rest areas. Encourage partnerships between the public sector and private enterprises to invest in the development of truck parking facilities. This collaboration can help secure funding and expedite the creation of safe and well-equipped rest areas. Public-private partnerships can provide innovative solutions and enhance the availability of safe stopping points for truckers. For example, governments can offer tax breaks for establishing new truck stops and rest areas. States can also offer maintenance assistance for these new facilities. Some governments are implementing joint use agreements at bus stations, airports, and industrial parks where trucks will be allowed to park during times that the station is closed. This strategy can be used to quickly increase the amount of available parking for truckers, without new construction. This is a mutually beneficial deal as private owners charge a small fee to offset the maintenance costs and truckers can safely rest in a secured parking lot overnight.
Community Outreach and Education
Engaging with local communities to address concerns and highlight the importance of rest areas is crucial. Raising awareness about the safety benefits and economic advantages of dedicated rest areas can build public support and alleviate concerns. According to a CloudTrucks survey, 56% of Americans are oblivious to the truck parking shortage. Educational materials and promotions stating the dire need for truck parking may change the mind of community members who were previously opposed to new truck parking projects, like the recently published Federal Highway Administration handbook educating the public regarding the dire need for truck parking and steps the community can take to help, hoping to overcome zoning objections by community members. Highlighting the safety benefits, economic advantages, and potential enhancements to local infrastructure can garner support for the establishment of new rest areas. Once those surveyed were informed of the truck parking crisis, 90% said that it is necessary to increase public awareness of the shortage of truck parking spots.
Increased Responsibility for Large Trucking Companies
Large trucking companies, especially, have no excuse not to help the parking crisis. These operators should find solutions to help the parking crisis, whether it be paying for private trucking parking locations while a driver is on route through partnerships with private truck stops, by constructing their own facilities, by giving drivers a stipend for parking, or by allowing drivers to park in the shipping facilities lots. For example, the US’s 9th largest interstate operator, Ryder, is even ponying up to help its drivers feel safe. “In tough, high-traffic areas, we help our drivers by securing paid reserved parking spots or finding safe hotels with available rooms,” Steve Martin, senior vice president at Ryder announced. Ryder also partners with hotels to allow free parking if there are no rooms available. Trucking industry stakeholders, including large interstate operators, can play a pivotal role in advocating for policy reforms that prioritize the creation of safe and sufficient truck parking spaces. Engaging with policymakers to address zoning issues and streamline regulatory processes is essential for lasting change.
Smart Parking Solutions
Implementing smart parking technologies leverage real-time data to guide truckers to available parking spaces. This can optimize existing rest areas and help truckers plan their breaks efficiently. A pilot program throughout six midwestern states utilizes highway signs that project real-time parking information for upcoming truck stops, saving truck drivers the time and mileage of exiting the interstate just to find out there aren’t any spaces available. This program is referred to as the Truck Parking Information and Management System, which covers Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The TPIMS is a model that could be used throughout the US to assist truckers to find parking.
Leveraging technology, such as mobile applications, can assist truckers in locating available parking spaces in real-time. These apps can provide information about nearby rest areas, parking availability, and even reservation options, ensuring that truckers can plan their breaks more effectively. For example, Pilot, with travel centers nationwide, allows for drivers to reserve a parking spot on its app, along with providing real-time information on spot availability. The app Truck Parking Club also lists partnerships with CDL Schools, trucking companies, and even properties owned by real estate investors who allow for their parking lots to be used by truck drivers. These apps, while not a cure to the shortage, help keep truckers safe and decrease the anxiety created by not knowing if any spots will be available when a driver stops. These apps mean that drivers can spend less time looking for spots at the end of their shifts, increasing the mileage they can drive towards their destination.
Revitalization of Existing Rest Areas
Rehabilitating and modernizing existing rest areas can help maximize the use of available space. For example, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MDOT) has converted 23 old weight stations and rest areas into truck only parking lots. MDOT northwest district engineer Marty Liles recommended other states utilize this approach, “By converting the rest areas to truck parking, we’re able to help meet the needs of commercial vehicles while decreasing the costs associated in the renovation and upkeep of traditional rest areas.”
Legislation and Reform
A comprehensive federal approach is essential to address the interstate nature of trucking. Federal legislation mandating the creation and maintenance of rest stops, coupled with coordination between states, can ensure a uniform and effective solution. Designating specific funds within transportation budgets to address this critical infrastructure need. Laws requiring new shipping companies to require truck parking for its deliveries could help solve this problem. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently promised to address the problem, announcing that , “I’ve heard from countless truckers across the country about how the shortage of truck parking costs them time and money—not to mention making our roads less safe and weakening our supply chains…We’re using funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help address truck parking shortages, and we’re working with state and industry leaders to develop more parking that will improve safety and quality of life for our nation’s truck drivers.” The Biden administration’s Trucking Action Plan recently earmarked $22.6 million to add 125 truck parking spaces on I-40 and $1.4 million in grant money to improve truck parking in Montana and Kentucky.
The shortage of suitable rest areas for truckers is a critical issue that demands immediate attention and comprehensive solutions. As a truck accident attorney, my commitment extends beyond addressing the aftermath of accidents; it encompasses the proactive pursuit of systemic changes to enhance road safety. By addressing the root causes of this problem and implementing comprehensive solutions, we can work towards ensuring the safety and well-being of truckers. Through expanding existing facilities, fostering collaborations, embracing technology, and promoting community understanding, we can work towards creating a safer highway not just for truckers, but for everyone on the road. It’s time for concerted efforts from policymakers, communities, and operators to ensure that our truckers have the rest they need to navigate our roads safely. By investing in the expansion and improvement of truck parking infrastructure, we can pave the way for a safer, more sustainable future on our nation’s roads.
Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC was established in 1999 to help injured people and their families recover from the physical, emotional, and financial challenges posed by catastrophic injuries or the death of a loved one. They are nationally recognized as attorneys representing injured victims of trucking and commercial vehicle wrecks. Craig, Kelley & Faultless is headquartered in Indianapolis and has offices in Indiana and an office in St. Louis. It has attorneys licensed in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, and Ohio. Get a free case review with one of our accident attorneys by 1-888-937-3862, and additional information can be found at www.ckflaw.com.
About the Author
David W. Craig is a board-certified truck accident lawyer and managing partner as well as one of the founding partners of the law firm of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is also recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families, written to help victims and their families as they navigate through a terrible situation and answers the host of questions that come after a tragic wreck. He is also the host of the podcast, After the Crash where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow Indiana law safety protocol on roads regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.
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