{"id":1502,"date":"2017-09-22T16:14:26","date_gmt":"2017-09-22T16:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/quicktransportsolutions.com\/blog\/?p=1502"},"modified":"2017-09-22T16:14:26","modified_gmt":"2017-09-22T16:14:26","slug":"tackling-the-nations-rest-area-problems-of-truckers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quicktransportsolutions.com\/blog\/tackling-the-nations-rest-area-problems-of-truckers\/","title":{"rendered":"Tackling The Nation\u2019s Rest Area Problems of Truckers"},"content":{"rendered":"

If there\u2019s one thing that truckers and industry insiders agree on, it\u2019s that our nation\u2019s rest areas and parking options need some serious improvement. When addressing the infrastructure question, additional services at rest stops needs to be part of the equation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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With forces in Capital Hill and the White House preparing for a big fight on infrastructure spending, whether it\u2019s between Democrats and Republicans or within forces in each party, one can only wonder where funding for rest areas will fall once the dust settles.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there are some historical precedents to take a look at here, as well as near-constant themes always haunting this issue. Let\u2019s dig a little deeper.<\/p>\n

An Old Issue<\/strong><\/p>\n

The fact is, the issue of rest area availability \u2013 including commercial activities at rest stops – predates Trump\u2019s arrival in Washington. The Federal Highway Administration has been seeking comments on the issue for some time. Specific items of inquiry include produce sales and additional vending machine at truck stops, in addition to a request for more parking.<\/p>\n

Although a public-private partnership to support greater access and options at the nation\u2019s rest stops seems like a no-brainer, it isn\u2019t supported by everyone. The truck stop trade group, National Association of Truck Stop Owners (NATSO) says the idea would undercut highway-based businesses.<\/p>\n

Still, the main issue remains, and that\u2019s available parking. It\u2019s no secret that available parking at truck stops<\/a> has been shrinking steadily for years. Not only is additional parking important, but truck stops must be able to generate profit while being a welcome place for truckers to stop, with access to both food and basic services.<\/p>\n

Parking is a Constant Issue<\/strong><\/p>\n

While truck stops continue to add more parking, it never seems to catch up with the current demand. Compounding the problem is zoning restrictions and local resistance whenever a truck stop tries to expand their trucking options.<\/p>\n

The problem has gotten so bad that major truck stop chains have begun selling parking reservations. Consider that highway capacity and maintenance hasn\u2019t kept up with the increase in freight traffic, and it\u2019s obvious where this is turning into a serious issue.<\/p>\n

So, what\u2019s the solution? Some are pointing to greater rest stop commercialization as a potential answer, but is it? Let\u2019s dig a little deeper.<\/p>\n

Commercializing Rest Stops<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ask any number of truckers or fleet managers if they support commercial activities if it helps to create more options, from commercial services to parking, and they\u2019ll respond with a resounding affirmative.<\/p>\n

While NATSO opposed more commercialization of rest stops, some think the organization\u2019s concern is misplaced. The specific argument here is that if state-facilitated rest stops are limited to such an extent that they may not even be considered \u201ctruck stops\u201d, where\u2019s the harm?<\/p>\n

The fact is, a trucker won\u2019t pass up a decent meal at a truck stop just to get a vending machine snack at a state-run facility. No matter which way you slice it, there simply aren\u2019t enough places for truckers to park, so whatever can be done to improve the situation, whether it\u2019s commercialization or otherwise, should be welcomed.<\/p>\n

Parking must be considered as one of the basic utilities of both public and private truck stops. The current model \u2013 which NATSO is in favor of \u2013 of not expanding enroute parking, could be a sign of the organization\u2019s self-interest and doesn\u2019t seem sustainable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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As truckers increasingly look for places to park amid a shrinking parking landscape, industry insiders must consider taking extraordinary measures to address the situation, even if it means going against what groups like NATSO are proposing, which is really nothing more than the status quo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If there\u2019s one thing that truckers and industry insiders agree on, it\u2019s that our nation\u2019s rest areas and parking options need some serious improvement. When addressing the infrastructure question, additional services at rest stops needs to be part of the equation. 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