The new tool gives drivers a way to highlight parking gaps using existing properties, rather than waiting years for new construction projects to be completed.

How the ParkPro voting tool works

The voting feature is available at no cost through ParkPro’s web platform and mobile app. Drivers can view an interactive map showing hundreds of underutilized parking facilities and request that specific locations be formally opened for truck parking based on demand.

“This tool allows drivers to signal where parking is needed now so we can respond quickly,” said Tra Williams, CEO of ParkPro. “As agencies continue to study the issue, drivers face real-world impacts, spending hours searching for parking, risking safety, and falling behind on delivery schedules, which can often affect their pay. We need to improve support for today’s drivers while long-term truck parking solutions are being developed.”

Why the timing matters

The launch of ParkPro’s voting feature comes as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration prepares to survey the benefits of building new truck parking spaces nationwide.

While that federal effort focuses on long-term planning and data collection, ParkPro’s approach is aimed at addressing immediate parking needs by activating existing, pre-vetted properties.

Through its network of hundreds of secure locations across the United States, the company says drivers can use the voting tool to request faster access to parking without relying on large-scale, time-intensive development projects.

What this means for drivers and the industry

For drivers, the ability to identify where parking is most needed reflects the daily reality of planning around hours-of-service limits, delivery schedules, and safety concerns. Limited parking often forces drivers to stop early, park in unsafe areas, or lose paid miles while searching for a legal spot.

For carriers and industry stakeholders, driver-submitted demand data may help highlight where parking access can be expanded more efficiently while broader studies and funding decisions move forward.

ParkPro says the goal of the voting feature is to give drivers a way to be heard now, while long-term truck parking solutions are still being developed.

Source: Truckers News

The post New ParkPro Tool Lets Truck Drivers Weigh In on Where Parking Is Needed Most appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced the rollout of its Truck Parking Information Management System (TPIMS), a technology-driven program designed to provide drivers with real-time updates and predictive insights on parking availability at rest areas and weigh stations along I-5. Drivers can use the system to plan their stops as far as four hours in advance.

“This helps ensure that truck drivers can find safe parking and that existing truck parking spaces are used to their full capacity,” the agency said in its announcement. WSDOT added that about 75% of truck drivers in Washington struggle to locate safe parking at least once per week, underscoring the importance of the new system.

A Collaborative Effort

The development of TPIMS was made possible through a partnership with the University of Washington’s STAR Lab, along with Drivewyze and ParkerTruck. Drivers can access the parking details either through in-cab displays or mobile apps, making it easier to find reliable spaces while staying on schedule.

For those looking to tap into the system, both vendor websites provide clear instructions on how to get started.

Where It’s Available Now

As of September, TPIMS is active at several key locations along I-5, including:

• Gee Creek Rest Areas (northbound at milepost 11 and southbound at milepost 12)
• Maytown Rest Area (milepost 93)
• Fort Lewis Weigh Station (milepost 117)
• SeaTac Weigh Station (milepost 140)
• Smokey Point Rest Areas (northbound and southbound, milepost 207)
• Custer Rest Areas (northbound at milepost 267 and southbound at milepost 269)

By the end of September, the Toutle River Rest Area (northbound, milepost 54) and the Ridgefield Weigh Station (milepost 15) will also be added. WSDOT plans to expand the system to additional I-5 locations through 2026.

A Call for Driver Feedback

WSDOT is encouraging truck drivers to help shape the program by filling out a short online survey. Feedback will play a key role in refining the system as it grows. Drivers can also subscribe through the agency’s website for email updates on future truck parking initiatives.

Federal Support Behind the Project

Funding for TPIMS comes from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program, backed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

By connecting technology with the daily challenges truckers face, Washington state is working to improve safety, reduce stress, and maximize parking resources along one of the nation’s busiest freight corridors.

Source: The Trucker

The post Washington State Launches Real-Time Truck Parking System Along I-5 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.