Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, July 26, 2022:
Researchers from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) are teaming up with The University of Wisconsin-Madison and the ParkUnload app to conduct a truck parking pilot study to better understand how truck drivers use existing parking spaces and to test the benefits of using a mobile parking app.
Funding for the study is provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under a cooperative agreement through the agency’s FY20 High Priority grant program.
Select truck parking spaces along Interstates 80 and 94 will be painted green and signs instrumented with truck parking technology will be installed.
These devices will communicate with the ParkUnload app when a driver’s phone is in close proximity to the parking zone. Once the app detects the marked zone, the truck driver can park and check-in to the parking space on the app to let other drivers see information on remaining spaces. Signs will also provide drivers with additional information.
“Insufficient truck parking presents a safety hazard for all highway users when drivers park in unauthorized locations, drive when fatigued or drive past their hours of service to find safe parking,” said Brian Routhier, transportation specialist from the FMCSA Technology Division. “We’re hoping this study will provide a better understanding of the truck parking needs along these corridors and whether a truck parking app is beneficial to drivers.”
Drivers who travel along the I-80 and I-94 corridors can get started and participate in the pilot in just three steps:
