For more than a decade, parking has remained one of the most persistent problems tied to freight movement. Lost time searching for a safe place to stop cuts into productivity and adds pressure to already tight schedules. The issue has also been linked to serious safety concerns when drivers are left with no option but to park in unsafe or unauthorized locations.

Longstanding Problem With No Quick Fix

The scale of the problem has drawn attention at the highest levels. The National Transportation Safety Board took the unusual step of backing legislative action after investigating a fatal crash involving a truck parked along a highway shoulder.

“It appears that essentially the same obstacles we were facing two decades ago are the same obstacles we’re facing today,” NTSB member Thomas Chapman said. “It’s a funding issue. I’m guessing in some respects, it might be more than funding. It could be available space, but this is a problem that has been around for a long time, and it’s only getting worse.”

Funding Moves Forward but Gaps Remain

A federal spending package signed in February included $200 million dedicated to expanding truck parking. While that investment marks progress, it does not come close to solving the shortage on its own.

Beyond funding, another challenge continues to slow expansion efforts. Many communities and local decision makers still do not fully understand how truck parking impacts safety, freight efficiency, and local economies. Even when awareness exists, projects can face resistance at the local level.

New Study Aims to Quantify the Impact

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is now preparing a study designed to put hard data behind what drivers already experience on the road.

On April 6, the agency published a notice in the Federal Register requesting input for a study focused on measuring the real world benefits of adding truck parking capacity.

According to FMCSA, “there is a lack of research on the actual precise monetary benefits of new truck parking spaces.” The goal is to build a clearer picture that can support future decisions and funding efforts.

What Drivers Will Be Asked

The study will gather detailed input on how parking shortages affect daily operations. Drivers will be asked about how often and how long they:

• Park in unauthorized locations
• Shut down early to secure a spot
• Leave planned routes to find parking
• Push hours of service limits while searching for space

This level of detail is intended to capture the real cost of the issue, from lost time to safety risks. The results will be combined with other research to help guide where new parking should be built and how those projects are presented to local communities.

Why Participation Matters

The effectiveness of the study depends on how much real world input it receives. Data collected from drivers will shape how the issue is understood by policymakers, planners, and private investors.

Public comments on how the study will be conducted are due May 6. To submit a comment, click here or go to Regulations.gov and enter Docket No. FMCSA-2025-0787.

A Chance to Influence What Comes Next

Parking shortages are not new, and neither are the challenges tied to solving them. What may change is how the issue is documented and presented moving forward.

By contributing feedback, drivers have an opportunity to put real experiences into the data being used to guide future decisions.

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