Technology Aids Identifying Parking Spots, Good Report Card in Industry Poll

In the August issue we related the story of an Indiana truck driver who was murdered in Detroit while sleeping in his truck. A similar tragic death brought about Jason’s law which provides federal funding for truck parking infrastructure projects. This month we continue the story by looking at how Minnesota is deploying technology in a pilot program designed to alert drivers to available parking spaces.

The study includes three rest areas and is being underwritten by funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The program uses video based technology to track the number of spaces available at each rest area. The number of available parking spots is displayed on roadside electronic signs and the state has reported a 95% accuracy rate.

The study will conclude at the end of this year and results will be published in 2015. This type of information can be helpful, but can it be expected to provide an answer to the question of where to sleep tonight? One of the problems is that the information is localized. The message signs are within a short distance of the rest area and don’t convey information about subsequent rest areas.

A true solution may  be more complex than a state can reasonably be expected to develop and fund, especially when you take into account the fact that a truly effective system would have to monitor not only rest areas but all truck stops as well.

Up until now the trucking industry has taken a passive viewpoint on this growing problem. Mangers and dispatchers have relied on drivers to make things work out. Unfortunately, without real-time information, it’s not possible for the driver to consistently be able to maximize driving time each day. If a driver is nearing the end of their day they may be reluctant to pass an available parking spot since they may not find one available when their driving hours end.

Government action may prove to be an important part of a workable solution but trucking companies will have to become more proactive in working toward providing drivers the information they need. In fact, considering  where the driver will spend the night should be an important part of load planning. Some customers may allow overnight parking but then the driver doesn’t have access to rest room facilities or food, not to mention the fact that the customer may be in a less than desirable location.

This is an important problem and technology may be a leading component of the ultimate solution. However, it’s important that trucking companies and truck stop operators participate in developing the solution to ensure that it’s workable and effective. Every time the driver’s job is made easier it’s even likely that driver retention will be enhanced as well.

The American Trucking Association (ATA) recently released a national poll performed by Public Opinion Strategies. The purpose of the poll was to discover people’s opinion of the trucking industry. Overall the industry scored high marks. The vast majority (80%) felt that truck drivers were safer than auto drivers and 71% felt that it’s auto drivers who are likely to speed, tailgate and weave in and out of traffic. Over half (56%) felt that the trucking industry had a good overall safety record.

An interesting outcome of the poll is that while nearly half of those polled favor spending more money on infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges, an overwhelming 70% are opposed to raising fuel taxes to pay for the improvements. In fact, other methods such as adding tolls and increasing income taxes were opposed as well. It’s no wonder that Congress is conflicted on how to approach this situation given that they’re receiving mixed signals from the electorate.

When asked what the industry could do to improve its image 86% responded favorably to adding new safety technology. Overall the trucking industry had a higher favorable rating than railroads and airlines. All in all a pretty good report card for the industry but there are still many challenges and improvements can be made in compliance and safety.