The truck parking sector might not be the first industry that springs to mind when thinking about technology integration. And yet, it should.
The ongoing issues with truck parking management, mostly caused by the nationwide truck parking shortage, are forcing a technological revolution that aims to improve parking management efficiency and safety.
What is the role of technology in enhancing truck parking efficiency? And what parking technologies are leading the ongoing revolution? Let’s find out.
Current State of the US Truck Parking Management
There aren’t many sectors more crucial to the US economy than the trucking industry. As we speak, approximately 2 million truck drivers bravely travel across the vast US territory, moving precious cargo that allows our economy to thrive.
Yet, despite the trucking industry’s massive impact on the US supply chains (over 72% of America’s freight is moved by truck), the government has neglected it for many years, with truck parking being one of the key neglected areas.
That negligence has led to a nationwide truck parking shortage crisis.
According to one study, for every 11 drivers on the road, there’s only one truck parking space available, with over 90% of truck drivers claiming the ongoing shortage harms their quality of life when on the road.
The insufficient number of truck parking spaces also leads to truckers having difficulty finding available parking spots near their routes. That significantly hampers their ability to plan their trips better, affecting the overall supply chain efficiency.
Moreover, with many parking lots still relying on the phone reservation system, a trucker can spend hours searching for available spots, often ending up parking in unauthorized areas, which, put lightly, isn’t the safest option around.
Technology to the Rescue
In 2023, the US government finally introduced its solution to the truck parking crisis – the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, a grant program to increase the number of truck parking lots.
The real revolution, however, has been going on for some time now, thanks to the introduction of several technological innovations improving truck parking management efficiency, convenience, and trucker’s quality of life on the road.
The two primary forces leading the revolution are truck parking apps and automated parking availability systems.
Truck Parking Apps
First and foremost, we have truck parking apps, such as our very own Truck Parking Club.
These apps help truckers easily browse and book available truck parking spaces, ensuring they can quickly find reliable nearby parking spots when on the road. Moreover, they can do that with just a few clicks instead of spending precious time researching and calling numerous parking lots and stops to see whether there are spaces available.
Not only that, Truck Parking Club allows truck drivers to book spaces in advance, allowing them to plan their routes. That can significantly affect their efficiency and quality of life when on the road, giving them peace of mind that they have a sure place to spend their sleeping break.
Automated Real-Time Parking Availability Systems
Many truck parking lots and stops have been recently testing automated real-time parking availability systems. These systems use cameras and sensors to monitor parking spot availability in real-time.
What’s more, these systems can be easily integrated with GPS systems and navigation apps, providing truck drivers with real-time information about truck parking availability near their routes.
Using this information, truckers can quickly identify potential truck stops and parking lots they can target, helping them find spaces on the go. Some systems also use algorithms that predict parking availability based on historical data and current conditions, allowing truckers to plan their routes better.
The Future of Truck Parking Technologies
Numerous truck parking technologies are currently being developed. And while not all of them will go beyond the testing phase, the future of truck parking looks promising and certainly a lot brighter than it has been in recent years.
At Truck Parking Club, we’re proud to be an integral part of the ongoing change. Our truck parking app has already helped hundreds of truckers find reliable parking spots across the US, and our trucking community of drivers and parking lot owners grows each day.
Sign up for Truck Parking Club for free, browse and book available spots, and plan your routes more efficiently. The future of truck parking management is now. Become part of it today!
The information published herein is for general informational purposes only. Truck Parking Club does not make any representations or warranties about the completeness, reliability, legality, and accuracy of this information. Any reliance placed on such material is strictly at the user’s own risk. Truck Parking Club shall not be responsible for any losses or damages incurred in connection with the information published herein.
