WASHINGTON — The latest push to increase truck driver parking is a coordinated effort by members of both houses of Congress.
The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, introduced in both the House and Senate on Wednesday, authorizes $755 million in grants over four years to enhance truck parking. The funds will support building new facilities and converting existing weigh stations and rest areas.
Previous Efforts and Legislative Support
A similar bill introduced in the previous Congress in 2021 passed unanimously through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in July 2022.
“By expanding access to parking options for truckers, our roads are being made safer for all commuters and goods and supplies are being shipped to market in the most efficient way possible,” said Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., a co-sponsor of the previous and current House legislation with Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn.
According to George O’Connor, communications director for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the chances of that happening are increased by stand-alone legislation addressing the truck parking issue specifically, as opposed to broader legislation introduced in January — the SHIP IT Act — which included a truck parking section nearly identical to the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act.
“O’Connor told FreightWaves that the SHIP IT Act’s complexity makes its path to passage more challenging. In contrast, the focused parking-only bill, which passed the House committee last Congress, has a clearer route. The introduction of bipartisan House and Senate bills shows broad political support for the effort.”
Sens. Mike Kelly (D-AZ) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) originally co-sponsored the Senate bill introduced in December and reintroduced Wednesday.
“People in Wyoming are still feeling the effects of the supply chain crisis,” Lummis said. “Unreliable truck parking is another contributing factor.” “Resolving the parking issue will help alleviate this burden on consumers.”
Strong Support from Industry Groups
The American Trucking Associations, like OOIDA, strongly supports the bills. According to an ATA report, 98% of drivers have difficulty finding safe parking on a regular basis. According to the report, truck parking shortages exist in every state and are most acute along major freight corridors.
According to the ATA, a lack of truck parking capacity has forced 70% of drivers to violate federal hours-of-service regulations.
“Congress must fund expanded commercial truck parking due to the widespread issue,” said ATA President Chris Spear.
The ATA highlighted that the Senate’s version includes new funding criteria, such as driver safety considerations. They noted that insufficient safe parking options often deter women from joining the industry.
