ATA Touts USDOT’s Truck Parking Agenda
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American Trucking Associations recently highlighted the U.S. Department of Transportation’s focus on matters related to truck parking.
The department awarded grants that specifically sought to expand access to parking for truck drivers around the country. “We thank Secretary [Pete] Buttigieg and the administration for their ongoing commitment to America’s professional truck drivers. The secretary has stated how important the issue of truck parking is to him and his department, and we are extremely grateful that he is delivering on that intention,” ATA President Chris Spear said Sept. 29.
RELATED: Buttigieg reaffirms commitment to increase truck parking
Spear emphasized funding that was approved in the $1 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“This issue is imperative for both highway safety and supply chain efficiency,” he said, “and we look forward to continued partnership with USDOT as it works to ensure IIJA funds continue flowing toward this urgent need.”
We're extremely grateful to @SecretaryPete and @USDOT for delivering on their intention to expand #truckparking capacity across the country. This issue is imperative for highway safety, supply chain efficiency, driver wellbeing, and environmental protection. — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) September 29, 2022
Spear continued, “This issue is of particular importance for women drivers, who repeatedly cite the lack of safe parking options as a deterrent to more women entering the field. Investing in these projects and ensuring all drivers have ready access to safe and well-lit parking facilities is an important step in shifting our industry’s workforce demographics and empowering more women across the country to pursue the rewarding career opportunities that trucking has to offer.”
As part of the department’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grants, Florida and Tennessee recently received nearly $40 million for truck parking expansion projects. In a letter to ATA, the department expressed a commitment to continue to facilitate access to parking for the women and men operating commercial vehicles.
Buttigieg
Buttigieg wrote, “We will use every opportunity to educate state and local partners about the eligibility of federal funding for truck parking and recommend states work with private sector truck stop operators and the trucking community in the siting and development of truck parking projects.”
The secretary added, “The department will continue to offer technical assistance and forums to bring together public and private stakeholders to tackle this vital issue.”
In the American Transportation Research Institute’s “Critical Issues in the Trucking Industry,” truck parking concerns ranked fifth in 2021. The group provides an annual chronicle of industry matters.
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