Idaho is working to make finding suitable truck parking easier.
Collaboration between the Idaho Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration developed a tool to bring together data, maps, and analysis to help the department evaluate potential truck-parking projects across the state highway system.
“The Truck Parking Demand Tool provides information for stakeholders and ITD staff to evaluate existing and propose new projects to expand our truck-parking network,” explained Abby Peterson, ITD Senior Planner.
The tool helps staff and partners:
- identify areas of demand
- look at options for adding spaces
- show the economic and environmental benefits of potential projects
The tool also provides an easy-to-use, data-driven resource to identify truck-parking needs, analyze options, and make informed decisions. It was most recently used to identify needs and fund improvements at the Bliss Rest Area in southern Idaho.
“For communities, more available parking cuts down on unnecessary idling and emissions from trucks circling in search of spaces, directly supporting cleaner air and healthier environments,” Peterson said. “For the freight industry, efficient access to safe parking reduces delays, keeps goods moving, and strengthens supply chain reliability.”
Funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)’s Carbon-Reduction Program was used for this project, said IDT.
Volvo accepting orders for VNR regional truck
Volvo Trucks North America recently opened orders for its new Volvo VNR, a Class 8 truck designed for regional and urban haul.
The truck is available for order at Volvo Trucks dealerships across the U.S. and Canada, with production on track to begin in February 2026 at the New River Valley Plant in Virginia.
The company said the new Volvo VNR features a 90 percent redesign compared to the previous generation and delivers up to 7.5 percent improved fuel economy through enhanced aerodynamics, advanced powertrain features, and idle-shutdown systems.
Volvo said he new VNR was engineered for the unique demands of regional haul applications with a tighter turning radius for navigating congested urban routes, while maintaining the versatility to perform longer haul operations when called upon.
The Volvo VNR:
- is available with the Volvo Active Safety Platform with Volvo Active Driver Assist Plus
- is available with a Camera Monitor System option that provides superior visibility compared to traditional mirrors
- Provides multiple axle options, including Adaptive Loading, Electronically Controlled Suspension, and Global Rear Air Suspension
- is available in a variety of Class 8 configurations, including 4x2, 6x2, and 6x4 tractors, as well as straight trucks with multiple body types
- is built on a 24-volt electrical architecture to support advanced safety and connectivity features
- Engine ratings include the VGT engine, ranging from 405-455 HP and 1450-1850 lb-ft of torque and the D13 Turbo Compound engine, which harnesses a waste heat recovery system to capture lost energy in order to maximize engine efficiency.
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