Congress Seeking Solutions To Big Rig Parking Shortage

"The (parking) shortfall forces trucks into less attractive options, such as trekking miles away from the main roads to find a place to stop, paying for private lots or simply soldiering on until they hit the legal limit of driving 11 hours at a stretch, before they must get a federally mandated 10 hours of rest. If there are no open truck stops nearby, they simply pull over to the side of the highway, even though stopping on the shoulder for anything but an emergency is against the law." Truckers may receive parking tickets if caught parking illegally.

"Many truckers prefer to take the risk. Generally truckers want to drive as much as they can, up to the legal limit of 11 hours at one stretch, to maximize their pay. When they butt up against their quitting time, they stop wherever they can."

"Many also leave their engines idling all night, so they can have heat or air conditioning."

"Currently, there are about 1,000 truck stops spread across the country. Unlike rest stops -- temporary pull-off spots located alongside highways and interstates and usually offering bathrooms and vending machines -- truck stops have restaurants, retail shops, repair and gas stations, bathrooms and showers, as well as dozens or even hundreds of spaces for tired truckers to park."

"Congress is taking note of the shortage of truck stops. It has authorized $24 million through 2009 for state and local governments to pay for more truck parking along major highways and interstates. States would get the money to look for 'parking solutions' -- which could mean the creation of new parking spaces or a system that alerts truckers to where available parking spaces are located. It's the first time that Congress has set aside money for this purpose." {See related link.}.

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