Goal

This project will quantify the benefits of creating new truck parking spaces, which will involve three main tasks: (1) developing and conducting a survey of CMV drivers that focuses on their behaviors when obtaining truck parking; (2) conducting research and data analysis on the different costs associated with the truck parking shortage; and (3) adjusting the results for different areas, based on estimates of truck parking demand and supply in those areas.

Summary

The contractor shall design and conduct a survey of commercial drivers (taking care to distinguish different driver types such as short-haul and long-haul, as appropriate) that produces several estimates, including how often and how long truck drivers park in authorized and unauthorized spaces, how often and how long they drive in search of authorized spaces, how often and how long they park earlier than they would if parking spaces were abundant, and how often and how long these behaviors result in drivers driving off their route. The survey would preferably be conducted in-person at locations such as FMCSA inspection locations, truck stops, and/or public rest areas with truck parking, but contractors are encouraged to propose innovative solutions that produce accurate and representative responses to questions that might be complicated or confusing.  

The contractor shall perform research and data analysis to estimate the costs associated with truck drivers who drive extra miles to locate parking and/or park in unauthorized spaces: Crash Costs, Business Costs, Driver Safety and Health Costs, Social and Other Costs.

The goal of the survey, research, and data analysis outlined above is to produce an estimate of the general annual benefits of one hypothetical new, accessible, safe truck parking space. This value will then be adjusted for local areas by incorporating estimates of truck parking demand and supply in those areas. An interactive webpage that presents the final localized results on a map along with the underlying methods, possibly incorporating the Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) network, shall be created.

Impacts

There is very little research on the benefits of creating new truck parking spaces, and this might be one reason for the truck parking shortage. This project should produce information useful to State and local governments, who often make decisions regarding the development of new truck parking projects, and hopefully it will reduce the shortage of truck parking spaces.