This marks the first statewide expansion of designated truck parking outside of new facility construction projects, providing drivers more options to safely rest and comply with hours-of-service regulations.

PennDOT plans to place new truck parking spots in key areas, including:

• Interstate on-ramps where safety and sightlines are clear
• Weigh stations used by the Pennsylvania State Police for motor carrier safety enforcement
• Various locations within the highway right-of-way

“Truck parking is a nationwide issue,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “As a commercial driver’s license-holder myself, I know how important this commonsense approach is to our economy and workforce. By adding these spots – and looking at ways to add even more – we’re giving truckers many more options to safely park and meet their rest requirements.”

Michael Hampton, senior policy advisor at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, also highlighted the safety benefits from a federal perspective.

The new spaces will be clearly marked with signage installed by PennDOT.

“This initiative directly supports our mission to ensure motor carrier safety by reducing driver fatigue and improving the overall safety of our highways,” PSP Director Bureau of Patrol Major Robert Krol said. “Safe, designated parking is essential for commercial drivers, and this effort represents a significant step forward in protecting everyone who travels on Pennsylvania’s roads.”

The Pennsylvania Turnpike has invested over $30 million into expanding truck parking. As it moves toward open-road tolling, officials are reviewing interchange layouts to potentially add more parking spaces.

“The trucking community is essential to our mission of supporting national commerce,” Pennsylvania Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said. “We are dedicated to finding innovative solutions that address the increasing truck parking shortages along our system, and we take pride in collaborating with partners throughout the Commonwealth to enhance driver safety and improve logistics efficiency.”

Drivers can now find public truck parking locations through Pennsylvania’s 511 website, either on the map homepage or listed under the “traffic” menu. New spaces will be updated as they become available.

“Truck drivers are essential to keeping our economy moving, goods on our shelves and food in our pantries – but they need safe places to stop and rest,” Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association President and CEO Rebecca Oyler said. “With only one parking space for every 11 drivers on the road, too many truckers are forced to choose between breaking hours-of-service laws or stopping in unsafe locations. Every new space added to our highway network means one more trucker has a safe and secure place to stop.”

A 2023 study commissioned by the Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee found that truck parking demand is far outpacing supply.

“The supply of truck parking has failed to keep pace with the escalating demand, leading to a widespread shortage of truck parking across Pennsylvania,” Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Cabon, wrote in a bill memo.

PennDOT’s new expansion follows the study’s recommendation to repurpose select state-owned surplus properties. A truck parking task force is also working with regional, municipal, and industry partners to develop additional local solutions.

Source: Land Line Media

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Special Perks for Truck Drivers

According to an official release, truckers can enjoy a host of freebies and benefits at select Pennsylvania Turnpike service plazas throughout April. These perks include free beverages, snacks, bottled water, exclusive coupons, and updates about the transition to Open Road Tolling. To sweeten the deal, truck drivers can enter a raffle for a chance to win a coveted Yeti Travel Water Bottle.

Whether you’re on the road or taking a quick break, all visitors are encouraged to stop by the designated locations to learn more about the initiatives both organizations are spearheading to improve safety and efficiency on the roadways.

PMTA’s No-Zone Truck in Action

Adding an educational touch to the events, PMTA’s “No Zone truck,” designed to raise awareness about tractor-trailer blind spots, will be at all three event locations. Additionally, Fleetworthy/Bestpass representatives will be available at the King of Prussia event to showcase their commercial toll management solutions.

Event Details

Truckers can take part in these events from 7 to 11 a.m. at the following service plaza locations and dates:

• April 11 – Highspire Service Plaza (Milepost 249.7 East), 300 Industrial Lane, Middletown, PA 17057

• April 14 – King of Prussia Service Plaza (Milepost 328.4 West), 381 West DeKalb Pike, King of Prussia, PA 19406

• April 28 – South Somerset Service Plaza (Milepost 112.3 East), 327 Industrial Park Road, Somerset, PA 15501

A History of Collaboration

This latest initiative is just one example of the continued collaboration between the PA Turnpike Commission and the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association. Together, they have been tackling significant challenges faced by truck drivers, such as the shortage of parking spaces for large vehicles.

Efforts to expand parking for tractor-trailers at service plazas, such as Sideling Hill, Lawn, and Highspire, have proven successful. To further assist drivers, digital message boards displaying real-time parking availability (indicating whether a lot is full, low, or open) operate between 5 p.m. and 2 a.m. near nine service plazas.

Tech-Driven Support for Truck Drivers

The PA Turnpike Commission has also embraced technology to support truck drivers on their journeys. Through partnerships with Drivewyze’s Smart Roadway program and INRIX, commercial truck drivers gain access to real-time traffic alerts, including updates on slowdowns, congestion, and incidents.

Source: The Trucker

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