The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has rolled out the Truck Parking Information Management System (TPIMS), aiming to alleviate the stress for truck drivers along the I-5 corridor when it comes to finding a place to park. This program uses real-time and predictive data to inform truckers about available parking spaces according to WSDOT, allowing for up to four hours of planning.
Finding a parking spot hasn't been a cakewalk for truckers, with national figures showing just one parking space for every 11 trucks. In Washington alone, 75% of truck drivers face difficulties securing safe parking, often weekly. The monitoring of drivers' hours compounds the problem, necessitating the hunt for parking well before it's needed, sometimes taking over an hour of their time, WSDOT reports. Collaboration with the University of Washington's Star Lab brought forth the predictive tool, which joins forces with two tech providers, Drivewyze and ParkerTruck, for in-cab and mobile app-based information systems, respectively.
The initiative has its financial roots in a grant from the federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America, or INFRA, and the Freight Motor Carrier Safety Administration. As of now, the technology has been deployed at nine strategic locations along the I-5 corridor, with two more in the pipeline for this month, as per WSDOT. These locations span from as far north as Bellingham to as far south as Vancouver, encompassing various rest areas and weigh stations.
Truckers using the system are encouraged to share their experiences by participating in an online survey designed to further hone the program. For regular updates or additional information, drivers can subscribe to email notifications directly through the WSDOT website.
