The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has rolled out a significant update for truck drivers traveling through western and southeastern Arizona along Interstate 10. Aiming to enhance safety and efficiency, ADOT now offers updates on real-time parking availability through its Arizona Traveler Information website.
Accessing Real-Time Parking Data
With the launch of this system, truckers can now view the number of available parking spaces at designated rest areas along I-10. “The parking information is now available on the Arizona Traveler Information website, az511.gov,” stated ADOT in a press release. “It’s part of the Truck Parking Availability System that launched in January with electronic signs alerting truckers to rest area parking spaces ahead. The goal is helping truckers get the rest they need without having to use places that aren’t designated for truck parking.”
How It Works
The $2.8 million Truck Parking Availability System covers rest areas in Ehrenberg and Bouse Wash (eastbound and westbound) near the California border and the Texas Canyon and San Simon rest areas in southeastern Arizona. Equipped with monitoring systems, these rest areas track the availability of parking spaces in real-time.
This invaluable data is then shared through various channels, including electronic highway signs, az511.gov, and third-party platforms geared toward commercial drivers.
A Broader Initiative Across Multiple States
The Truck Parking Availability System is a crucial component of the $13.7 million I-10 Corridor Coalition project. This program links Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas to create safer and more efficient transportation routes for both freight and passenger vehicles. The initiative benefits from a $6.85 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation and provides information on over 550 parking spaces across these four states.
Expanding Truck Parking in Arizona
ADOT is also taking steps to address Arizona’s statewide truck parking shortage. “It’s part of a larger ADOT effort to provide more truck parking around the state,” ADOT officials noted. A proposed Statewide Truck Implementation Parking Plan includes $32 million in funding to create 842 additional parking spaces. These include expanded parking at existing rest areas and the development of new parking facilities. Projects include adding 370 spaces at the I-10 Burnt Wells Rest Area near Tonopah, the I-40 Meteor Crater Rest Area near Winslow, and a new facility near the I-10 and State Route 186 west of Willcox.
Some progress has already been made; for example, since 2019, truck parking at two rest areas has nearly doubled. The Meteor Crater Rest Area along I-40 saw an addition of 56 spaces, while the Haviland Rest Area west of Kingman gained 38 new spaces.
Addressing the Parking Shortage
The challenges related to inadequate truck parking are significant. A 2020 poll by the I-10 Corridor Coalition revealed that 78% of truck drivers spend more than 30 minutes searching for a safe parking spot. This shortage often forces drivers to park in unsafe or undesignated areas, such as highway shoulders or ramps, increasing risks for truckers and other road users.
ADOT’s efforts aim to reduce these risks by improving real-time parking data access and continuing to invest in infrastructure upgrades that increase available parking.
For more details on the Truck Parking Availability System, visit azdot.gov/tpas, and to learn more about the I-10 Corridor Coalition initiative, check out i10connects.com.
By providing innovative solutions and collaborating with neighboring states, Arizona is setting new standards in addressing truck parking shortages while supporting the safety and efficiency of the nation’s supply chain.
Source: The Trucker
