FMCSA Launches Nationwide Study on Truck Parking Shortages

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced a new nationwide initiative to study the growing shortage of truck parking across the United States. The agency plans to survey thousands of truck drivers to better understand how often they struggle to find safe parking, how far they must drive to secure a spot, and how the lack of available parking impacts their safety, rest time, and overall efficiency.

The study comes in response to increasing reports from drivers who say that finding a legal and safe place to park has become one of the most difficult parts of the job. Many are forced to stop on highway shoulders, entrance ramps, or poorly lit areas simply because designated truck parking is unavailable. These situations increase safety risks, contribute to driver fatigue, and lead to potential violations of Hours-of-Service regulations.

FMCSA officials say that the new data will help federal and state agencies understand where the biggest shortages exist and how to allocate funding for future parking expansion projects. The results may also influence policy decisions, including grants for new rest areas, incentives for private truck stops, and support for technology that helps drivers locate available parking spaces in real time.

Drivers and industry groups have long pushed for federal action, noting that parking shortages add stress, reduce earning potential, and create unsafe conditions. While the study will not solve the issue immediately, it represents a significant step toward addressing a problem that affects nearly every segment of the trucking industry.

The agency is expected to release initial findings in the coming months as it gathers feedback from drivers nationwide.