Second Jason’s Law survey revealed

During the fifth National Coalition on Truck Parking meeting, stakeholders got a glimpse of the second version of Jason’s Law truck parking survey results, showing what has changed since the first survey’s results were published five years ago.

The Federal Highway Administration hosted a meeting with truck parking stakeholders on Dec. 1. In addition to a general discussion about the truck parking crisis, Jeff Purdy of FHWA’s Office of Freight Management and Operations presented a snapshot of the results of a Jason’s Law survey that was conducted last year. Full results had not been released at press time.

Members of the National Coalition on Truck Parking gave updates about what they are doing to address the truck parking crisis, including the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, American Trucking Associations and Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance. Notably absent were representatives of Natso, the association representing private truck stops, who could not attend because of a scheduling conflict.

Comments about truck parking can be submitted to FreightFeedback@dot.gov.

According to the latest Jason’s Law survey, there are about 313,000 truck parking spaces across the nation, including 40,000 at public rest areas and 273,000 at private truck stops, an increase of 6% and 11% between 2014 and 2019, respectively.

In 2019, Jason’s Law survey revealed many of the same shortages identified in the 2014 survey, including Interstate 95 in the Mid-Atlantic and north regions, the Chicago area, and California in general. Additionally, new shortages were found in the latest survey, including the entire I-95 corridor, Pacific corridors, states surrounding the Chicago region, and other major freight corridors.

Regarding public rest areas, Jason’s Law survey results indicate that not many new facilities or truck parking spaces are being developed.

Some states reported fewer public spaces compared with 2014, including Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah and Washington. On the other hand, Delaware, Florida and Tennessee all experienced significant increases in their public truck parking spaces.

Of the nearly 11,700 truck drivers who took the survey, a 43% increase from the first Jason’s Law survey, 98% reported problems finding safe parking.

Issues with truck parking were reported in every state and region.

The highest rate of parking issues were found along major freight corridors in states along Interstate 95, the Chicago region, and Interstate 5 in California.

CMV safety agency respondents reported that unauthorized truck parking is related to limited spaces and inclement weather, especially snow storms in the Rocky Mountain states. Illegal parking also occurs when trucks park to stage while waiting for deliveries. Based on that information, FHWA claims dynamic messaging signs and other technologies are needed to send out information about parking availability.

Truck stop owners also participated in the 2019 Jason’s Law survey. According to the survey, more than 87% of identified truck parking is at private truck stops. Despite the need for parking and reports of operating over capacity, 79% of truck stop respondents said they do not plan to add more truck parking.

During the National Coalition on Truck Parking meeting, Bryce Mongeon, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association’s director of legislative affairs, gave a short presentation about the truck parking bill – the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act.

“One of the points we’ve been impressing on lawmakers is that no amount of parking is too small, and that every new space is important,” Mongeon said. “We’ve shared with them the creative solutions implemented by some states, including those that utilize existing right-of-way to add parking. We want them to know that we understand there won’t be a one-size-fits-all solution to this problem, and that state and local decision makers should have the flexibility to address their specific needs.” LL