National Coalition on Truck Parking: 2018 Working Groups Activity Report
Executive Summary
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and several stakeholder organizations established the National Coalition on Truck Parking in August 2015 as a response to a documented need for truck parking solutions. Stakeholders engaged in the Coalition represent the trucking industry, commercial vehicle safety officials, State departments of transportation (DOTs), and commercial truck stop owners and operators. During the Coalition's kickoff meeting, the following topics were identified as areas of concern or opportunity:
- Parking Capacity
- Technology/Data
- Funding and Finance
- Community Education/Coordination with Regional and Local Governments
The Coalition also committed to holding meetings around the country to get input from key stakeholders on approaches to solve the nation's truck parking problem. After those meetings were completed in 2016, the National Coalition on Truck Parking members recognized the need for an additional forum to discuss these ideas and committed to convening Working Groups around each of the topic areas.
National Coalition on Truck Parking Working Groups
The National Coalition on Truck Parking Working Groups were created to share best practices and create products to disseminate information on truck parking issues and solutions. The Working Group topics include:
The Working Groups were formed from various stakeholders that participated in the 2017 annual meeting of the National Coalition on Truck Parking. Each Working Group had a champion to lead the generation of ideas from the participants. The Working Group meetings were used to identify priority areas to research, brainstormed noteworthy practices for truck parking and refine the final products. The champions were integral in narrowing down the Working Groups' ideas and providing input on the final products.
Working Group Products and Future Research
Figure 1 lists the products created by each of the Working Groups and their future research priorities. Working Group members could not address each proposed research idea in the scope of this effort. Additional research areas for the National Coalition on Truck Parking were identified by Working Group members and core partners after the products were developed. Figure 1 reflects the top priorities discussed by the members.
FHWA is working to continue to advance research on truck parking. In addition to future truck parking research, FHWA is conducting an updated Jason's Law survey in 2018, as required by Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Section 1401(c)(3). FHWA will publish an updated Jason's Law Survey and Comparative Assessment subsequently. Outcomes of the Jason's Law survey and future research ideas identified by the National Coalition on Truck Parking Working Groups may influence the future direction of truck parking research undertaken by FHWA.
Figure 1: List of Products and Future Research Priorities
| Working Groups |
Products |
Future Research Priorities |
| Parking Capacity |
- Creative Uses of the Right-of-Way (ROW) and Adjacent Areas
- Involving Shippers/Receivers to Address Truck Parking Capacity
- Considerations for Maintaining Low-Cost Truck Parking Facilities
|
- Explore contractual relationship between truck stops and fleets for fuel purchases.
- Consider how to implement staging in urban and suburban zones.
- Hold a peer exchange with international partners and stakeholders to discuss parking capacity.
|
| Technology and Data |
- Truck Parking App Survey Results
- Best Practices for Truck Parking Availability Detection and Information Dissemination
- Technology and Data Research Needs Webinar
|
- Research data standards and application program interfaces (API) for smart phone applications and promote common standards.
- Research and promote common, functional standards across information systems including:
- Apps
- Dynamic message signs (DMS) and other roadside signs mentioned in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
- In the cab
- Data transmission
- Intelligent transportation systems (ITS)
|
| Funding, Finance and Regulations |
- Public-Private Partnership (P3) Examples and Considerations
- Emissions Reduction Grant Programs Fact Sheet
|
- Use truck parking fees as a revenue source for private and public parking.
- Provide tax incentives for the private sector to build new parking capacity.
- Track the amount of money being spent and types of projects being developed by States for truck parking projects.
|
| State, Regional and Local Government Coordination |
- Notable Examples for Including Truck Parking in State and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Freight Plans
- How to Improve Truck Parking in Your Region Brochure
- The Importance of Considering Truck Parking in Local Zoning Codes
- Parking and Staging Requirements in Local Zoning
- Talking Freight Webinar: Best Practices in Industry and Government Coordination for Developing Truck Parking Solutions
|
- Work with the American Planning Association (APA) to develop a guide for city, county, and regional governments on truck parking. Consider developing a webinar to accompany this.
- Write an article for APA's Zoning Practice or Planning magazine about zoning considerations for truck parking.
- Continue to develop resources regarding local zoning and land use authorities directed to city engineers and planners.
- Develop zoning template language and design guidelines for truck stops and truck parking lots that includes requirements for minimum acreage, site design, lighting, setbacks/buffers, landscaping, security, and other aspects. Differentiate requirements by area type (rural vs. suburban vs. urban) or roadway type (arterial vs. collector).
- Hold an interstate Peer Exchange on truck parking solutions.
|
