Goal

This project will advance understanding of truck parking issues related to Oversize and Overweight (OSOW) Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) parking. The objectives of this project are to frame the issues related to oversize and overweight (OSOW) commercial motor vehicles (CMV) and truck parking, especially as they concern safety for the CMV driver and motoring public. Further, this research will identify what policies and programs are in place in States and local areas to support OSOW truck parking and what challenges exist. Finally, this research will identify options for future research based on the challenges identified.    

Summary

This project is a study on the safety issues related to parking for OSOW CMVs. This research is being led by FMCSA, but the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is a partner in this research. 
FMCSA prioritizes truck driver safety through many activities and resources targeted to address challenges with motor carrier operations and technology including solving the nation’s truck parking shortages. The USDOT prioritizes truck parking as a critical safety challenge and focuses modal administrations to identify actions and resources to support solutions. FMCSA is aligned with USDOT’s focus on truck parking as a partner with the FHWA-led Truck Parking Working Group (TPWG) and is conducting research on safety issues related to truck parking challenges. 

FMCSA understands that there are challenges with parking for OSOW CMVs. There is little research and detail on the breadth if these challenges and issues, and there are few resources that identify best practices and methods for states and local government transportation agencies and law enforcement on how to plan and implement parking or how OSOW operations may drive parking demand. 

This research will assist FMCSA and FHWA in understanding existing conditions for OSOW CMV parking, issues, and challenges, as well as best practices and potential opportunities or strategies for additional research.  

Impacts

This research will: (1) inform solutions on truck parking options for OSOW CMV; (2) help harmonize policies across State borders; and (3) assist in identifying locations where truck parking for OSOW CMV is needed.