American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, urging Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds be prioritized to boost the nation's truck parking capacity.
According to ATA, there are more than 11 drivers for every one parking space. Studies show that on average drivers spend nearly an hour of driving time every day trying to find parking, and 58% of drivers say they have parked in unauthorized places at least three times a week.
“The severe shortage of safe parking presents truckers with an untenable dilemma: either keep driving when they are fatigued and possibly in violation of their federal hours-of-service requirement—or park in unsafe, sometimes illegal locations, such as a roadside shoulder,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “The health and well-being of our drivers, the safety of the motoring public, and the sustainability of our supply chain all depend on Congress addressing this issue with adequate funding in a surface transportation bill.
See also: Industry still behind in race for enough truck parking spaces
“Washington needs to listen to our nation’s truck drivers and respect their most serious needs,” Spear continued. “They are the heartbeat of our economy and directly support the frontlines in the fight against COVID—a battle that will only be won with the help of the trucking industry.”
The letter claims that the shortage of truck parking capacity diminishes driver productivity, resulting in reduced driver pay and increased operating costs. Truck drivers often park prior to exhausting available drive time, surrendering an average of 56 minutes of available drive time per day, which equals about $5,500 in direct lost compensation—or a 12% cut in annual pay. In addition, the financial burdens of lost productivity are compounded by excessive fuel consumption and the associated environmental impacts of unnecessary truck emissions of criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses.
“Year after year, surveys show the severe lack of truck parking ranks amongst drivers’ top concerns,” Spear added. “Not only does this add severe strain to the supply chain, but it also presents a growing safety hazard for the entire motoring public. Given the historic levels of funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, we ask that DOT prioritize this urgent need for America’s truckers.”
See also: Disconnect looms between truck parking capacity and need
The letter also called for the U.S. Department of Transportation to support the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Bost (R-Illinois) in March 2021, that would establish a competitive discretionary grant program and dedicate $755 million over five years to fund truck parking projects across the country.
“The introduction of the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act shows that not only are some members of Congress listening, but lawmakers from across the political spectrum are willing to step up and address one of the greatest concerns for professional drivers—the national shortage of safe truck parking," OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. "OOIDA is proud to support this important legislation and will continue to work with our bipartisan champions and industry partners to get it passed.”
