The study is titled “Quantifying the Benefits of Creating New Truck Parking Spaces” and will gather about one thousand completed surveys from drivers. The goal is to better understand what the parking shortage costs in real terms and what improvements would actually deliver measurable benefits.

FMCSA pointed out that driver parking has stayed at the top of the industry concern list for years. In the American Transportation Research Institute’s reports, parking reached the number two spot in 2023 and 2024 and moved to the number four spot this year. Drivers have repeatedly told the industry how serious the shortage is, and now FMCSA wants data that reflects exactly how much impact the problem creates.

The agency also acknowledged that “many government, safety, and industry organizations are working to create more truck parking spaces,” but noted that “there is a lack of research on the actual precise monetary benefits of new truck parking spaces.” The benefits the agency wants to measure include:

• Decreasing carriers’ costs
  • Increasing drivers ‘ well-being
  • Reducing the number of crashes

FMCSA explained that past surveys never captured certain data with enough accuracy. According to the notice, researchers still need strong national statistics showing how often drivers do the following:

• Park in unauthorized areas
  • Shut down early to secure a legal space
  • Leave their routes searching for parking
  • Run past hours of service limits trying to find parking

The agency says the new survey results will be paired with other research to help estimate the full value of creating additional parking in different regions. The goal is to support decision-making among both public and private groups that determine where new parking should be built.

FMCSA also outlined several questions it hopes this study will help answer, including:

• How many trucks park in authorized and unauthorized spots per day across the country
  • What methods offer the most cost-effective way to increase capacity
  • Which truck parking information systems do drivers rely on most
  • How many drivers use reservations, paid parking, or other parking services on a routine basis

Several thousand drivers from different parts of the industry will receive the online survey, which takes about twenty-five minutes to complete. FMCSA expects roughly one thousand usable responses.

The agency is requesting feedback on its plan for the survey, including whether the survey is necessary, how it could be improved, and ways to ensure the collected information is clear and useful. Comments can be submitted for sixty days at www.regulations.gov by searching Docket No. FMCSA 2025 0787.

For now, the study is moving forward, and FMCSA says it wants real insight from working drivers. With parking continuing to shape daily schedules and trip planning, many drivers may welcome the chance to weigh in directly on an issue that affects them every single day.

Source: Overdrive

The post FMCSA Wants Drivers to Weigh In as New Parking Study Moves Forward appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Here’s what drivers had to say about where recruiters could do better—and how these insights can help recruiters attract and retain satisfied, loyal drivers.

What Drivers Really Want

1. Transparent Pay and Benefits
   Pay transparency is essential, with 86.1% of drivers ranking it as their top priority. Clear communication around pay and benefits builds a foundation of trust and sets drivers up for success from day one.
2. Efficient Operations and Load Planning
   Over 63% of drivers say that effective load planning significantly impacts their satisfaction. Companies that invest in streamlined operations show drivers that their time is valued, which makes a lasting impact.
3. Reliable, Well-Maintained Equipment
   For 39.9% of drivers, equipment quality is key. Providing dependable, safe trucks sends a message that the company values its drivers’ comfort and safety.
4. Clear Company Policies
   About one-third of drivers want clarity around company policies. Transparent, straightforward policies help drivers feel secure and set realistic expectations for their day-to-day work.

Building Trust Through Consistent Communication

• Be Honest from the Start: Drivers value honesty above all. When recruitment promises match the reality of the job, trust is built and maintained.
• Regular Check-Ins: these insights reveal that drivers never feel “over-communicated.” Staying in touch with drivers—especially early on—ensures that any issues are addressed quickly.
• Define Clear Expectations: From pay to daily responsibilities, clearly outlining expectations sets the stage for a more trusting and productive relationship.

Want to see the full details and dive deeper into the survey findings?  Download the full 2024 survey here  to learn more about what drivers are really looking for in the recruitment process.

Source: Conversion Interactive Agency & PDA’s Fall 2024 Truck Driver Survey

The post Top Ways Recruiters Can Build Trust with Drivers: Key Takeaways from the 2024 Survey appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“As we mark National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, it’s imperative we shed light on the real challenges drivers face every day,” said Kendra Tucker, CEO of Truckstop. “This research underscores our commitment to understanding their unique struggles and advocating for truck drivers’ overall well-being. A big thank you for all that you do — and know that your efforts are truly appreciated.”

Here are the survey results:

Nutrition on the Road

• Truck drivers face challenges in finding healthy eating options while on the road primarily due to limited parking, lack of access to nutritious food, lack of time, inability to cook in their trucks, and the high cost of healthier food options.
• More than a third (36%) of respondents rely on ordering fast food as their main method of eating on the road, while eating at non-traditional places like gas stations and truck stops is also common (30%).
• Despite 59% of truck drivers surveyed believing they eat healthily on the road, a significant number (37%) admit to cooking their own meals regularly.

Physical Health on the Road

• Over half of drivers (52%) find it challenging to exercise while on the road due to fatigue from driving all day.
• Lack of time is another factor that makes it difficult for drivers to exercise while on the road, with 48% mentioning it as a constraint.
• 48% of drivers struggle with a lack of access to exercise options.
• Finding a place to park their truck that provides exercise options is a challenge for 42% of drivers.
• The majority of long-haul drivers (60%) only stop once or twice a day to exercise or stretch, leaving them inactive for most of the day.
• Only 36% of drivers stop three or more times a day to exercise.
• While 90% of drivers report getting at least one exercise session per week, the majority (69%) are only able to exercise one to two times per week.
• Outdoor spaces are the most common places for drivers to exercise, with 44% choosing any outdoor location and 40% preferring parks or hiking trails.
• If they have no other option, 40% of drivers are willing to exercise in their truck.

Mental Health on the Road

• The majority of truck drivers (84%) report being satisfied with their current job.
• Job satisfaction increases to 93% for truck drivers who experience low levels of stress in their job.
• Eighty-eight percent of respondents indicate that they have a high (26%) or moderate (62%) overall stress level in their job, with only 12% rating their stress level as low.

Source: The Trucker

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