Legislation reintroduced in both houses of Congress to fund truck parking

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Updated Apr 7, 2023
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U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) reintroduced the bipartisan Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act to create a short-term authorization of funds to increase truck parking capacity and to improve existing truck parking infrastructure. Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.  

The legislation would authorize $755 million in competitive grant funding to expand commercial truck parking capacity across the U.S.

“Wyoming is home to three major interstates that carry thousands of tons of cargo a day. Without safe truck parking, truckers spend an unnecessary amount of time searching for a place to park – putting truckers and Wyoming drivers at greater risk for accidents. This is easily solvable, and I am thankful to Senator Kelly for joining me in finding a commonsense solution,” said Lummis. “People in Wyoming are still feeling the impacts of the supply chain crisis, and unreliable truck parking is another contributing factor to that. Fixing the parking problem will help ease this burden on consumers.” 

She said the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act will allocate funds to create thousands of safe parking spots for trucks and make necessary improvements to existing truck parking areas. 

Members of the trucking community weighed in on the legislation, which would help solve a problem faced by 98% of professional drivers, according to the Department of Transportation.

Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association

“Most folks probably don’t realize that 70% of American freight is transported by truck, yet incredibly there is only 1 parking spot for every 11 trucks on theroad. When truck drivers don’t have a designated place to park, they end up parking on the side of the road, near exit ramps, or elsewhere. This isn’t safe forthe driver and it’s not safe for others on the road. Senator Lummis, Senator Kelly, Representative Bost, and Representative Craig have heard from small business truckers across America and are leading the charge in Congress to improve road safety through expanded truck parking.” 

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Chris Spear, President of the American Trucking Associations

“The lack of safe and accessible truck parking places an enormous and costly burden on our nation’s truck drivers as they work to deliver for the American people. Given the chronic nature of this issue and its national scope, it is imperative Congress takes action to provide dedicated funding to expand commercial truck parking capacity. We thank Senators Lummis and Kelly for their leadership on this vital piece of legislation, which will strengthen our supply chain and improve highway safety for all motorists."

Jim Ward, President of the Truckload Carriers Association

“Truck drivers deserve a safe and secure place to rest as they work to deliver a nation. TCA would like to thank Senators Kelly and Lummis and Representatives Bost and Craig for introducing bills to address the national shortage of parking affecting truck drivers across our country. The truckload industry is glad to have policymakers on Capitol Hill championing this issue and supporting the American truck driver – essential to our nation’s supply chain. By allocating this investment from the Highway Trust Fund, the proposal smartly utilizes money set aside for infrastructure projects. With one truck parking space for every 11 drivers, this is a problem in much need of these dedicated dollars. Without sufficient parking, truck drivers are regularly forced to pick among bad options: forfeit drivable time to secure a spot, park illegally and unsafely along highway shoulders and exit and entry ramps, or drive beyond their regulated hours. Improving parking for truck drivers will increase productivity, but most importantly will lead to better safety outcomes for all motorists on our roadways.”

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David Owen, President of the National Association of Small Trucking Companies

“Scarce availability of truck parking is at crisis levels across the nation.  Truck parking remains at the top of truckers’ most pressing concerns and among the top issues for fleet owners.  The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act represents an important part of the solution, and NASTC proudly supports it."

Lisa Mullings, President and CEO of NATSO

“We appreciate that the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act recognizes the important role that travel centers and truckstops play in serving America’s long-haul truck drivers. “With more than 5,000 Interstate truckstops and travel centers providing 90 percent of the truck parking capacity in the United States, truckstops and travel centers play a key role in addressing any state concerns over truck parking capacity. Truckstops and travel centers are uniquely positioned to meet all of the needs of commercial drivers, including their need to stop and rest. The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act presents an opportunity for grant recipients to increase truck parking capacity along those freight corridors where it may be needed in a manner that best serves America’s drivers.”