Parking Survey

FINAL REPORT

Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey:
Assessment of Parking Needs and
Preferences

Prepared for
Federal Highway Administration
Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22101

FOREWORD
This report provides detailed technical documentation supporting the Report to Congress on the study
called for in Section 4027 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century to “determine the
location and quantity of parking facilities as commercial truck stops and travel plazas and public rest
areas that could be used by motor carriers to comply with Federal hours of service rules.” The report
details the methodology and results of a survey administered to commercial truck drivers on their
parking needs and preferences.

Janet A. Coleman
Director, Office of Safety Programs
Safety Core Business Unit

Michael F. Trentacoste
Director, Office of Safety
Research and Development

NOTICE
This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation in the
interest of information exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents
or use thereof. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.
The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade and manufacturers’
names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the object of the document.

1. Report No.

2. Government Accession No.

3. Recipient's Catalog No.

FHWA-RD-01-160
4. Title and Subtitle

5. Report Date

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVER SURVEY:
ASSESSMENT OF PARKING NEEDS AND
PREFERENCES

March 2002

7. Author(s)

8. Performing Organization Report No.

6. Performing Organization Code

Kathryn J. Chen, Kelley K. Pécheux, John Farbry, Jr., and
Stephen A. Fleger
9. Performing Organization Name and Address

Science Applications International Corporation
8301 Greensboro Drive
McLean, VA 22102

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)
11. Contract or Grant No.

DTFH61-98-C-00059

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

Federal Highway Administration
Office of Safety Research and Development (HRDS)
6300 Georgetown Pike
McLean, Virginia 22101-2296

Final Report
October 1999 – April 2001
14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative: Raymond A. Krammes, HRDS; M. Joseph Moyer,
HRDS
16. Abstract

This research assessed truck driver parking needs and preferences in accordance with Section 4027 of
the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century. A survey was conducted to determine how truck
drivers plan for and address their parking needs; how truck drivers select when, where, and at which
facilities they park; and what truck drivers think of the adequacy of current parking facilities. This
report summarizes the background, methodology, and outcome of the driver survey.
Surveys were distributed to a national sample of more than 2,000 truck drivers through site visits and
mailings to truck stops. The sample included male and female drivers; independent owner/operators;
and drivers for small-, mid-, and large-sized carriers. The majority of respondents identified
themselves as long-haul drivers. Nearly all drivers reported that they, not their company colleagues,
decide where they will park. Most drivers make this decision as they are driving. When drivers park
their trucks, most expect to satisfy only their basic needs. Drivers prefer parking facilities that
provide food, fuel, restrooms, phones, and showers. They also consider safety and convenience
important. Drivers generally prefer private truck stops to public rest areas. However, for quick naps
drivers showed a preference for rest areas over truck stops. Many respondents indicated they have
trouble finding available parking at rest areas and truck stops. In fact, drivers asserted that building
more truck stop and rest area spaces would be the best way to improve the parking situation. Survey
respondents indicated that the parking facilities they encounter generally have characteristics that
make those facilities usable. But, drivers did recommend that time limits be eliminated and that
parking lot layouts be improved to accommodate large trucks.
17. Key Word

18. Distribution Statement

Truck Parking, Commercial Motor Vehicles, Truck
Driver Survey, Truck Parking Preferences, Parking Studies,
Human Factors, Rest Area, Truck Stop, Parking Supply

No restrictions. This document is
available to the public through the
National Technical Information
Service, Springfield, VA 22161.

19. Security Classif. (of this report)

21. No. of Pages

Unclassified

20. Security Classif. (of this page)

Unclassified

39

22. Price

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0.

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ........................................................... 1

2.0.

METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................. 3

2.1.
SURVEY DEVELOPMENT ....................................................................................... 3
2.2.
SURVEY DISTRIBUTION AND COLLECTION ........................................................... 3
2.2.1.
Site Visit Procedure .................................................................................... 6
2.2.2.
Site Visit Materials...................................................................................... 6
2.2.3.
Mail-Out Procedure .................................................................................... 7
2.2.4.
Mail-Out Materials ..................................................................................... 7
2.2.5.
Data Coding and Entry............................................................................... 7
3.0.

RESULTS ............................................................................................................... 8

3.1.
DEMOGRAPHICS ................................................................................................... 8
3.2.
PARKING AVAILABILITY AND USABILITY ............................................................ 9
3.2.1.
Are There Enough Parking Spaces? ........................................................... 9
3.2.2.
How Useable are the Parking Spaces?..................................................... 11
3.3.
PARKING PATTERNS AND PREFERENCES ............................................................ 11
3.3.1.
How Often Do Drivers Sleep at Home?.................................................... 11
3.3.2.
Where Do Drivers Park?.......................................................................... 12
3.3.3.
Who Decides Where Drivers Park and When is the Decision Made? ...... 13
3.3.4.
Why Do Drivers Park on Ramps and Shoulders?..................................... 14
3.3.5.
What are Drivers’ Parking Preferences? ................................................. 15
3.4.
PARKING SOLUTIONS ......................................................................................... 17
3.4.1.
What Improvements Do Drivers Recommend?......................................... 17
3.4.2.
How Might ITS Technology Help Drivers? .............................................. 19
4.0.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ................................................................... 20

APPENDIX A.

DRIVER SURVEY............................................................................. 22

REFERENCES

............................................................................................................. 30

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Figures and Tables

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. States included as distribution sites ..................................................................... 5
Figure 2. Percent of respondents by truck volume corridor categories .............................. 9
Figure 3. Frequency with which drivers find available parking at truck stops and rest
areas ................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 4. Locations chosen for long-term rest .................................................................. 12

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Frequency of encountering usability characteristics in truck parking ............... 11
Table 2. Importance of features when parking (as rated by drivers) ............................... 16
Table 3. Drivers’ parking facility preferences by purpose of stop .................................. 17
Table 4. Parking-related improvements identified by drivers
as helping the most............................................................................................. 18

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Executive Summary

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 1998, Congress issued a mandate that research be conducted to determine the location
and quantity of parking spaces at public rest areas and private truck stops along the
National Highway System (see section 4027 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st
Century). The congressional mandate specifies that current and projected truck parking
shortages be assessed. To accurately assess shortages, it is necessary to go beyond a
simple count of parking spaces available across the Country. Shortages must be
estimated by measuring the parking supply in light of regional, driver-preference, and
other influencing factors.
As part of the effort to respond to the congressional mandate, the current study measured
truck driver parking needs and preferences. Through a nationwide survey of truck
drivers, the study sought to determine:
•
•
•

How truck drivers plan for and address their parking needs.
How truck drivers select when, where, and at which facilities they park.
What truck drivers think of the adequacy of current parking facilities.

The “Truck Parking Needs and Preferences” survey developed for this study was
designed and organized with the help of many industry stakeholders. As part of the
survey development process, a working meeting was held with stakeholders from across
the Country. During the working meeting, participants reviewed a draft “Truck Parking
Needs and Preferences” survey and provided feedback on survey format and on question
content and format. Communication with the stakeholders began before the draft survey
was generated and continued after the stakeholder meeting for subsequent survey
revisions. Stakeholders represented varied, sometimes opposite, perspectives and
included State enforcement and department of transportation officials, motor carriers,
private truck stop operators, commercial drivers, and safety advocates. The final survey
reflected a comprehensive examination of truck drivers’ parking needs and preferences.
To ensure that the length, content, and format of the survey were acceptable to truck
drivers, 40 drivers completed the survey and provided feedback during a pilot data
collection period.
Surveys were collected from a national sample of 2,046 truck drivers both directly,
through site visits to truck stops, and indirectly, through mail-backs from truck stops.
Survey distribution and collection locations were chosen in order to reach a nationally
representative sample of drivers. The sample included male and female drivers;
independent owner/operators; and drivers for small-, mid-, and large-sized carriers. The
majority of respondents identified themselves as long- haul drivers.
How Truck Drivers Plan for and Address Their Parking Needs
Nearly all drivers reported that they, not their company colleagues, decide where they
will park. Most drivers make the decision as they are driving. Drivers commented that

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Executive Summary

they find it difficult to plan parking before they embark on their trips because their
schedules often change. For example, shipper and receiver locations may be “backed up”
and cause them delay in moving on to their next destination. Because they are delayed,
drivers cannot travel as far in their remaining legal duty hours as originally planned.
They must choose a parking facility that comes sooner along the corridor they are
traveling. Despite this impediment to parking planning, many drivers said that they can
improvise because they know the location of most parking facilities.
How Truck Drivers Select When, Where, and at Which Facilities They Park
Drivers’ responses to the survey demonstrated definite preferences and priorities when it
comes to choosing where they will park. When drivers park their trucks, most expect to
satisfy only their basic needs. Drivers prefer parking facilities that provide food, fuel,
restrooms, phones, and showers. They also consider safety and convenience important
when they park their trucks. Drivers do not consider entertainment and other “luxuries”
to be necessary characteristics of a parking facility. As one driver urged, “I just want to
find a place to park that is safe and available.” Because truck stops typically provide
showers, restaurants, and repair facilities, it is not surprising that drivers generally prefer
private truck stops to public rest areas. Rest areas are preferred only when drivers park
for quick naps. For more lengthy activities such as eating a meal, resting for the night, or
repairing a truck, drivers would choose truck stops whenever possible.
What Truck Drivers Think of the Adequacy of Current Parking Facilities
When members of the survey team approached drivers to introduce the study, the single
most common verbal response given by drivers was “build more spaces.” A handful of
drivers remarked that they don’t see a problem with truck parking, with one driver going
so far as to say, “drivers just need to learn how to park their trucks!” However, the
majority of drive rs seemed to consider the problem epidemic. A majority of survey
respondents indicated that they rarely or almost never find available parking at public rest
areas. Fewer respondents reported such consistent trouble finding available parking at
private truck stops; however, the number one recommendation made by drivers for
improving the parking situation was “build more truck stop spaces.” The popularity of
this recommendation may reflect the fact that over three-quarters of respondents prefer to
use truck stops for long-term rest. Most survey respondents indicated that the parking
facilities they encounter generally have characteristics that make those facilities usable.
But, drivers did recommend that time limits be eliminated and that parking lot layouts be
improved to facilitate the ingress and egress of tractor-trailers that are commonly 53 feet
in length.
Drivers indicated in both their written and verbal remarks that one sure way to improve
the truck parking situation is to discourage law enforcement officers from waking
sleeping drivers. Drivers reflected the same concern as stakeholders that safety is
jeopardized when fatigued truck drivers are on the road. The drivers expressed a sense of
responsibility for getting off the road whenever they feel tired.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Executive Summary

The parking needs and preferences relayed by drivers in this study are neither surprising
nor complicated. Drivers want more parking spaces, and they would like to find those
spaces in clean, safe parking facilities. When drivers park their trucks, they want access
to basic amenities. They want to eat a meal, take a shower, and get a few hours of
uninterrupted sleep. Drivers participating in this survey were grateful for the opportunity
to share their perspectives. They expressed a willingness to work together with industry
and safety stakeholders to improve truck parking across the Nation.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Introduction

1.0. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
In research conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and reported in
Commercial Driver Rest & Parking Requirements: Making Space for Safety (Publication
No. FHWA-MC-96-0010 hereafter referred to as the “1996 Study”), considerable gains
were made in understanding how truck drivers use public rest areas and privately owned
truck stops.(1) The research methodology concentrated on analyzing data at public rest
areas and privately owned truck stops through:
•
•
•

An inventory of parking capacity and restrictions in the 48 contiguous States.
Direct observation of the actual use of truck parking at facilities along a
medium-density trucking corridor.
A series of interviews and surveys that consulted 500 truck drivers, 330 motor
carriers, and 170 truck stop operators.

Subsequent research in this area has been mandated by Congress (Section 4027 of
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century) to determine the location and quantity of
parking spaces at public rest areas and private truck stops along the National Highway
System. The congressional mandate specifies that current and projected truck parking
shortages be assessed. To accurately assess shortages, it is necessary to go beyond a
simple count of parking spaces available across the Country. Shortages must be
estimated by measuring the parking supply in light of regional, driver-preference, and
other influencing factors.
In response to the congressional mandate, the current study built on the 1996 Study by:
•
•

Extending the assessment from the Interstate Highway System to the National
Highway System.
Seeking a more comprehensive and representative understanding of driver-related
factors that affect truck parking demand.

The current study included a truck parking supply assessment, truck parking demand
model development, and truck driver needs and preferences survey.
Prior to conducting the current study, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
issued a Request for Information (Solicitation Number RFI-ST-001) to obtain feedback
on how best to design, focus, and conduct the Section 4027 study. Five individuals or
organizations provided responses. In addition, the FHWA hosted a Rest Area Forum
(June 1999).(2) Forum participants included more than 70 State departments of
transportation and enforcement officials, representatives of the motor carrier industry,
private truck stop operators, commercial drivers, safety advocates, and other interested
parties. Input gathered through the RFI and the Rest Area Forum reflected a consensus
that a clear understanding of truck drivers’ parking-related needs, preferences, and
decision making is necessary to accurately assess truck parking supply and demand.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Introduction

To measure truck driver parking needs and preferences, the current study employed a
nationwide survey of truck drivers. The survey sought to determine:
•
•
•

How truck drivers plan for and address their parking needs.
How truck drivers select when, where, and at which facilities they park.
What truck drivers think of the adequacy of current parking facilities.

This report summarizes the background, methodology, and outcome of the driver survey
task.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Methodology

2.0. METHODOLOGY
2.1. Survey Development
The “Truck Parking Needs and Preferences” survey (see appendix A) developed for this
study was designed and organized with the help of many industry stakeholders. As part
of the survey development process, a working meeting was held with stakeholders from
across the Country. During the working meeting, participants reviewed a draft “Truck
Parking Needs and Preferences” survey and provided feedback on survey format and on
question content and format. Communication with the stakeholders began before the
draft survey was generated and continued after the stakeholder meeting for subsequent
survey revisions. Stakeholders represented varied, sometimes opposite, perspectives and
included State enforcement and department of transportation officials, motor carriers,
private truck stop operators, commercial drivers, and safety advocates. The final survey
reflected a comprehensive examination of truck drivers’ parking needs and preferences.
The survey functioned not only to provide an understanding of truck drivers’ parking
needs and preferences, but also to provide input into the parking demand model
developed as part of this study. During survey development, the survey designers
consulted with the parking demand modelers to ensure that the survey included
appropriate model- related questions. As a result, the survey gathered driver feedback on
the number of days per month that drivers sleep at home, the number of times per week
that drivers sleep at shipper or receiver locations, and the drivers’ preferences for public
versus private parking facilities. These data provided modelers critical insight into
drivers’ travel patterns and behaviors and supplied data for several of the models’
parameters.(3)
To ensure that the length, content, and format of the survey were acceptable to truck
drivers, 40 truck drivers completed the survey and provided feedback during a pilot data
collection period. The survey team and stakeholders were concerned that the six-page
survey would be too long for drivers to complete given their tight schedules. Although
some drivers suggested that the survey length should be shortened, many not only
completed the survey, but also took extra time to write additional comments and provide
unsolicited verbal feedback to the surveyors. Drivers recommended that the survey be
distributed at private truck stops rather than at public rest areas so that drivers could
complete the survey while waiting for their laundry, eating dinner, or resting for the
night. The drivers’ recommendation was well founded; when surveys were subsequently
distributed at truck stops, nearly all drivers who were approached by surveyors did
complete the survey.
2.2. Survey Distribution and Collection
Surveys were distributed to a national sample of truck drivers both directly, through site
visits to truck stops, and indirectly, through mailings to truck stops. A total of 2,046
completed surveys were collected. During site visits, survey teams collected 1,042

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Methodology

completed surveys. Surveyors experienced overwhelmingly high response rates after
briefly explaining the purpose of the survey to drivers. In fact, the survey team estimates
achieving response rates above 80 percent during nearly every site visit. An additional
4,400 surveys were mailed out to 22 truck stops across the Country. Close to 1,100
surveys were returned, yielding a response rate of 24 percent for the mail-out distribution.
Locations for the site visits and mail-out distributions were chosen in order to reach a
nationally representative sample of drivers. Before embarking on the major data
collection task, the survey team tested distribution methods by visiting both public and
private truck parking facilities on the east coast. During this pilot test, drivers made it
clear that when at public rest areas they do not have time to participate in the study.
However, at private truck stops, drivers generally agreed to fill out the survey during their
stay. To determine whether omitting rest areas from the list of distribution locations
would limit the sample of short-haul drivers, the survey team asked short-haul drivers if
they use truck stops as often as they use rest areas. Short-haul drivers consistently
indicated that they use both types of facilities equally. Therefore, to maximize response
rate and minimize negative impact on drivers’ time, truck stops were used exclusively for
the survey distribution.
To ensure that the sample would be representative of a national sample of drivers, survey
distribution sites were located in 27 States along major trucking corridors on the National
Highway System (see figure 1). All regions of the United States were included.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Methodology

X
X

Mail-out distribution

X

Sites visited

X
X

Figure 1. States included as distribution sites.

X
X
X

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Methodology

2.2.1. Site Visit Procedure
During site visits, surveyors followed a standard protocol. Teams of two survey
members each visited truck stops during lunch and dinner hours (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
and 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) to encounter as many drivers as possible. Drivers were
observed getting out of their trucks and were approached when they reached the entrance
of a truck stop building. Whenever possible, the survey team members positioned
themselves outside the entrance used principally by truck drivers. The survey team used
the following greeting to inform drivers about the survey. The bold- faced words were
considered key words and were the words that a surveyor focused on if he or she had to
talk quickly to a busy driver.
Greeting: Hello, we are doing a nationwide study on truck parking.
Congress has mandated that information be collected to show whether
there is a shortage or surplus of truck parking in truck stops and rest
areas, so we are going across the Country to talk to truck drivers like you
about this issue. We know that drivers know better than anyone whether
there are problems with truck parking and we want to gather as much
written evidence of drivers’ opinions on this subject as possible.
If drivers requested more information, the greeting continued as follows:
Greeting continued: We will be presenting the opinions of the thousands
of drivers we talk to through a report to DOT and Congress in the
summer of 2001. We want to make sure that drivers have a say in
determining what problems there are, if any, with parking and, if there are
problems, what should be done to improve the truck parking situation.
The surveyors informed drivers that the surveys could be completed anywhere (for
example, in a truck or restaurant) as long as the completed surveys were returned to the
surveyors by a specified time (i.e., the departure time of the survey team).
For each site visited, surveyors filled out a “Survey Batch Information” sheet. This sheet
included space to record the date, facility identification, road, direction, beginning survey
ID, and ending survey ID. This information was entered into the database to identify
each survey. One batch number was assigned for every site visited.
2.2.2. Site Visit Materials
The survey team brought the following materials to each site they visited:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Two hundred surveys.
Twenty- five sharpened pencils.
Twenty business cards for distribution at drivers’ request.
One survey batch information sheet.
Pencil sharpener.
Stapler.
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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Methodology

2.2.3. Mail-Out Procedure
Truck stops were chosen for inclusion in the mail-out phase of the survey distribution
based on their locations. The survey team coordinated with the National Association of
Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) Foundation to contact the appropriate truck stop
operators for permission to include the site in the study. Nearly all truck stop operators
agreed to participate in the study. Mail-out packets were distributed to the appropriate
truck stop managers. The packets contained everything the manager would need for
distributing, collecting, and returning the surveys. One member of the survey team
followed up with each manager by phone to ensure that proper distribution and collection
procedures were followed. Managers displayed the blank surveys in such heavily
traveled areas of the truck stop as restaurant counters, truck drivers’ entrances, and fuel
counters. Signs were prepared for managers to place near the distribution location to
alert drivers about the survey. Surveys were distributed in this manner for up to one
week. A clearly visible sign informed drivers to return their completed surveys to a
“return box” by a designated time each night. Managers emptied the return box each
night and at the conclusion of the distribution period, they mailed the surveys, at no
charge to the truck stop, to a survey team member using a team express mail account.
The returned surveys from each site were identified with a unique pre-printed code to
identify the location where the surveys were collected.
2.2.4. Mail-Out Materials
The mail-out packets sent to truck stops for distribution included the following materials:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Two hundred pre-coded surveys.
One distribution box for displaying blank surveys.
One return box for collecting completed surveys.
One 8-in x 10- in sign (in frame) and one poster-size sign for advertising the
survey to truck stop patrons and for providing instructions to respondents.
One self-addressed, pre-paid express shipping label.
One step-by-step instruction sheet for truck stop managers.
Tape for securing signs and sending the return box to the survey team.

2.2.5. Data Coding and Entry
The completed surveys were scanned into an electronic database using survey
development and data scanning software. Prior to data scanning, the survey team
developed coding specifications for each item in the survey and entered those
specifications into a blank electronic data file. The data were then scanned into that data
file for analysis with a statistical software package.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

3.0. RESULTS
Survey data were analyzed to examine driver opinions within three topic areas:
•
•
•

Parking availability and usability.
Parking patterns and preferences.
Parking solutions.

This section of the report presents the results of those analyses. The section begins with a
discussion of the respondents’ demographic characteristics.
3.1. Demographics
Approximately 90 percent of the survey respondents reported that they are male and
about 10 percent reported they are female. Despite efforts to enable and encourage shorthaul drivers to complete the survey, only three percent (n = 57) of the respondents
identified themselves as short-haul drivers. Ninety-seven percent reported that they are
typically long- haul drivers.
Twenty-six percent of drivers identified themselves as independent owner/operators. Five
percent are employed by independent owner/operators. Seven percent are employed by
small carriers (2-10 power units). Seventeen percent drive for mid-sized carriers (11-100
power units), while 43 percent reported that they drive for large-sized carriers (carriers
with over 100 power units).
When asked to report the frequency with which they participate in team driving, the
majority of drivers (72 percent) indicated that they “rarely” or “almost never” participate
in team driving. In fact, only 16 percent of drivers indicated that they “almost always”
participate in team driving; four percent marked “frequently” and nine percent marked
“sometimes.” Participation in team driving did not generally vary by the type of driver
(e.g., independent owner/operator, driver for large-sized carrier).
Throughout the United States, surveys were distributed along corridors with various truck
volumes (see figure 2.) The survey distribution points were categorized according to the
truck volume on the roadway where the distribution point is found. Approximately 38
percent of the sampled distribution points have truck volumes of 15,001 to 20,000 trucks
per day. Fifteen percent have truck volumes of 10,001 to 15,000 trucks per day; 24
percent have volumes of 5,001 to 10,000 trucks per day; and 23 percent have truck
volumes of 5,000 trucks or less per day.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

5000 or fewer
trucks/day
23%

15,001-20,000
trucks/day
38%

5,001-10,000
trucks/day
24%

10,001-15,000
trucks/day
15%

Figure 2. Percent of respondents by truck volume corridor categories.
Drivers reported the city and state of their home base (i.e., normal work reporting
location). Forty-nine States and six Canadian provinces served as home bases for the
responding drivers. Texas and Tennessee were the two most frequently reported home
base States, with seven percent and six percent of the respondents, respectively, reporting
these States. When drivers completed the survey, 30 percent of them were between 500
and 999 miles away from their home base. Twenty-eight percent were between 1,000
and 1,999 miles from their home base; and 20 percent were 200 to 499 miles from their
home base. Fewer respondents were very close or very far from their home base.
Twelve percent were fewer than 200 miles away, while 11 percent were more than 2,000
miles away.
3.2. Parking Availability and Usability
3.2.1. Are There Enough Parking Spaces?
Drivers were asked how frequently they encounter available parking at public and private
truck parking facilities. Among the overall sample, only 11 percent of respondents
indicated that they frequently or almost always find available parking at rest areas and
only about one-third of respondents reported that they frequently or almost always find
available parking at private truck stops (see figure 3). Nearly 90 percent of respondents
indicated that they sometimes, rarely, or almost never find available parking at rest areas;
while two-thirds reported that they sometimes, rarely, or almost never find available
parking at truck stops.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

100
90
80
70
60
% Respondents 50
40
30
20
10
0
ys
wa
l
a
st
mo
Al

Results

51
41

34
Truck Stop

25
9
2

12

9

es
tly
im
en
t
u
e
q
m
Fre
So

14

Rest Area

4

rely
Ra

r
eve
n
st
mo
Al
Frequency of Finding Available Parking

Figure 3. Frequency with which drivers find available parking at truck stops and
rest areas.
Drivers were asked how frequently they encounter available truck stop and rest area
parking within the context of their general experience and within the context of the trip
they were making when filling out the survey. Respondents reported slightly more
positive impressions of parking space availability in the context of their trip than in the
context of their general experiences. Specific to the trip they were making, 15 percent of
respondents reported that truck stops almost always have available parking, while only
nine percent of respondents made the same statement in the context of their general
experience. Six percent of respondents reported that rest areas almost always have
available parking on the trip they were making at that time; only two percent reported
that rest areas, in general, almost always have available parking.
Drivers also had the opportunity to rate how often their next stop (e.g., shipper or
receiver) has available parking. The most frequently reported response (by 40 percent of
sample) was that sometimes their next stop has available parking. Thirty-seven percent of
drivers reported that their next stop has available parking rarely or almost never.
Twenty-three percent indicated that their next stop has available parking frequently or
almost always.
Several hundred drivers provided written and verbal comments, both solicited and
unsolicited, regarding the availability of truck parking. Overwhelmingly, drivers
remarked that there are not enough parking spaces at truck stops or rest areas. Drivers
complained of a lack of parking availability particularly in the overnight hours. Drivers
also reported that more parking is needed near metropolitan areas and in certain regions
of the country (e.g., Northeast, Southern California, Northwest).

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

3.2.2. How Useable are the Parking Spaces?
Because the number of available parking spaces is only part of the parking picture,
respondents were asked to report how frequently truck parking spaces have certain
usability characteristics. Drivers rated how frequently available parking is convenient to
the highway, has the features they need, has time limits that allow enough time for their
needs, has enough room for them to maneuver their trucks in and out, and is us ed only by
trucks. Respondents gave mixed ratings for all these usability characteristics (see table
1). For each of these usability characteristics, sometimes [I encounter this characteristic]
was the most frequently reported driver response. The usability characteristic that was
most often encountered by respondents (i.e., most often given ratings of frequently or
almost always) was “available parking has the features I need” – marked by 51 percent of
respondents. Thirty- nine percent of respondents indicated that available parking is
frequently or almost always convenient to the highway.
Table 1. Frequency of encountering usability characteristics in truck parking.
Usability
Almost
Characteristic
Always Frequently Sometimes
Parking is convenient to
highway
9%
30%
41%
Facility has features
needed
15%
36%
38%
Parking time limits
allow enough time
15%
22%
30%
Parking allows enough
room to drive in and out
8%
24%
48%
Truck spaces used only
by trucks
9%
25%
34%
Note: Due to rounding, percentages may not sum to 100.

Rarely

Almost
Neve r

12%

7%

7%

3%

18%

15%

15%

6%

20%

12%

3.3. Parking Patterns and Preferences
3.3.1. How Often Do Drivers Sleep at Home?
Drivers reported sleeping at home anywhere from zero to 31 days per month. On
average, drivers reported sleeping at home seven days each month. However, there was
tremendous variation in drivers’ responses to this question (standard deviation = 5.65
days). Twenty-one percent of respondents sleep at home only four days per month,
which was the most frequently reported response to this question. Two-thirds of
respondents sleep at home seven days or less each month. Only about four percent of the
sample sleeps at home more than 21 days per month. Because the sample comprises so
few short-haul drivers, when long- haul drivers were considered separately from shorthaul drivers the distribution of responses remained very much the same. The 56 shorthaul drivers who answered this question gave much different responses than the longhaul drivers. They most often reported sleeping at home 30 days per month, with a mean

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

response of 23 days. Although short- haul drivers would be expected to sleep at home
much more frequently than long- haul drivers, nearly one-quarter of the short- haul drivers
sampled in this study reported that they sleep at home less than half the days each month.
This suggests that even short-haul drivers may use parking facilities for long-term rest.
3.3.2. Where Do Drivers Park?
Drivers reported the number of times per week that they park in various locations for
long-term rest (see figure 4). More than 90 percent of respondents reported that they park
in truck stops for long-term rest. On average, they park at truck stops for long-term rest
four times per week, with about 15 percent parking there seven or more times per week.
Two-thirds of respondents reported that they park an average of two times per week at
rest areas for long-term rest. Sixty percent of respondents indicated that they park at
loading or unloading docks for long-term rest. Loading and unloading docks are used an
average of three times per week for long-term rest. Eighteen percent of respondents do
not park to sleep because they sleep in sleeper berths while their driving partner drives.

Do
ck
s

Be
rth

Lo
ad
ing

Sle
ep
er

Ra
mp

Sh
ou
lde
r

Re
st A
Lo
rea
tN
ot
Fo
rT
ruc
ks

Tr
uc
kS
top

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
% Respondents 50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

Locations for Long-Term Rest

Figure 4. Locations chosen for long-term rest.
Some drivers indicated that for long-term rest they park in places not designated for truck
parking. One-third reported that they park on entrance or exit ramps, 21 percent in
parking lots not designated for truck parking, and 11 percent on highway shoulders. On
average, drivers who park in these places for long-term rest do so two times per week.
Almost 40 percent of drivers who park in these unconventional locations indicated that
alternative parking, if made available, would improve the parking situation. Perhaps these
respondents would make use of alternative parking areas and park less often in locations
not designated for truck parking.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

Drivers’ reports of where they park to sleep for long-term rest were examined in light of
driver type (i.e., independent owner/operator, driver for owner/operator, driver for small-,
mid-, or large-sized carrier). Driver type generally made no difference in the places where
drivers park for long-term rest.
In addition to reporting general parking patterns, drivers reported trip-specific parking
behaviors. Drivers identified where they last parked their trucks to sleep and where they
would next park their trucks to sleep. Fifty-six percent last parked at a truck stop, eight
percent last parked at a rest area, four percent last parked on an entrance or exit ramp,
and 10 percent last parked at a loading or unloading dock. Fifty-eight percent reported
that they would next park at a truck stop, seven percent at a rest area, two percent on an
entrance or exit ramp, and 14 percent at a loading or unloading dock. Driver type
showed a limited effect on where drivers last parked and would next park. Zero percent
of independent owner/operators (with more than one power unit) reported last parking at
rest areas to sleep, compared to eight percent of the overall sample. Fifteen percent of
respondents who drive for small-sized carriers indicated that they last parked at a rest
area to sleep (versus eight percent overall); however, only three percent of the same
sample of respondents reported that they plan to park next at a rest area (versus seven
percent overall).
3.3.3. Who Decides Where Drivers Park and When is the Decision Made?
Drivers were asked who decides where they will park and when the decision is made
about where they will park. For both these questions, drivers were able to mark multiple
response choices. All types of drivers (that is, independent owner/operators; drivers for
independent owner/operators; and drivers for small-, mid-, or large-sized carriers)
responded similarly to these parking decision questions. Overall, 98 percent of
respondents indicated that they decide where they will park; while only one percent of
respondents (n = 22) marked that someone from their companies decides where they will
park. Eighty-three percent of drivers who decide on their own where they will park do so
as they are driving; 21 percent decide before they start driving. These percentages
indicate that some drivers marked more than one response choice about when they decide
where to park. These drivers sometimes decide before driving and sometimes while
driving.
Nearly 300 respondents provided additional written comments regarding when they
decide where to park. In their remarks, drivers indicated that they often try to plan their
parking stops, but circumstances arise that prevent them from parking when or where
they had planned. Drivers noted circumstances such as getting tired before they thought
they would, experiencing delays at shipper/receiver locations, and failing to find
available parking spaces at their pre-planned destinations. Drivers also remarked that
they decide where to park as their on-duty hours elapse, based on how far they think they
can drive in their remaining hours of service. Other drivers indicated that they do not
plan ahead, but simply park whenever or wherever they find an available space.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

For those drivers who reported that they park in unconventional locations such as
highway ramps and shoulders, and parking lots not designated for truck parking,
responses were examined to discover who decides where drivers will park and when that
decision is made. This sample of drivers reflected operations very similar to the overall
sample, with 97 percent deciding on their own where they will park and one percent
following company instructions about where to park. Of those who make their own
parking decisions, 89 percent make them while driving and 16 percent decide before they
start driving.
When the sample was split by the various driver types, responses to the question about
who makes the parking decisions did not differ among the groups. However, over 90
percent of the respondents who drive for independent owner/operators reported that the
decision about where to park is made while they are driving; while the rest of the driver
types showed percentages in the seventies and eighties. Additionally, respondents who
drive for large carriers more often reported that parking decisions are made before they
start driving (27 percent compared to between 12 percent and 20 percent for the other
driver types).
3.3.4. Why Do Drivers Park on Ramps and Shoulders?
The survey provided respondents with the opportunity to speculate why truck drivers
sometimes park on entrance or exit ramps and highway shoulders. Drivers reported what
they think are the four most common reasons. The two most commonly reported reasons
were no nearby parking facility and no empty spaces in nearby truck stops or rest areas
(reported by 83 percent and 94 percent, respectively). About half of the drivers indicated
that trucks are sometimes parked on ramps or shoulders because nearby parking spaces
have time limits that are too short or because empty nearby parking spaces are blocked
by other trucks, cars, or RVs. Roughly one-third of respondents cited the reasons: the
ramp/shoulder is convenient for getting back on the road and [drivers are] less likely to
be bothered by strangers (e.g., drug dealers, prostitutes). Eighteen percent of
respondents marked that drivers park on ramps and shoulders because it’s hard to drive
around parking lots. While only four percent reasoned that there is better lighting on
ramp[s]/shoulder[s] than in lot[s] .
Some believe that there is a connection between how often drivers park on ramps and
shoulders and when drivers decide or plan where they will park. In this survey, drivers
were asked to report why they believe other drivers park on ramps and shoulders;
however, it is possible that their responses reflected their own reasons for parking on
ramps and shoulders (if they park there). Respondents were grouped according to their
“planning behavior” (i.e., those who decide before driving where to park versus those
who decide while driving where to park). Responses to the question about why drivers
park on ramps and shoulders were then examined for each group. Drivers’ own planning
behavior did not seem to affect their perceptions of why truck drivers park on ramps and
shoulders. Drivers who decide while they are driving where they will next park
responded about the same as drivers who make their parking decisions before they start
driving. However, 137 written comments provided by respondents regarding why drivers

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

park on ramps and shoulders stated that drivers park on ramps and shoulders when they
are too tired to continue driving or when they run out of hours. These comments reflect
at least some connection between poor planning and parking on shoulders and ramps.
Other written comments provided by respondents indicated that drivers park on ramps
and shoulders because they have no other available option at the time. Some respondents
wrote that drivers park on ramps and shoulders because they lack the experience, good
judgment, or energy to find other suitable parking. A few drivers commented that
parking on ramps and shoulders reduces the chances of being hit by another truck.
3.3.5. What are Drivers’ Parking Preferences?
To help clarify drivers’ parking preferences, the survey asked drivers to identify how
important various parking facility features are to them when they park their trucks.
Drivers rated various features on a scale from 1 to 5 (almost always important to almost
never important). Table 2 shows the features evaluated, along with the mean and modal
ratings they received. Features rated as most important were generally the ones that
address basic needs. Food, fuel, restrooms, phones, showers, convenience to highway,
and well lighted parking lots all received modal ratings of almost always important. In
fact, between 70 percent and 85 percent of the sample rated these features as frequently or
almost always important. Interestingly, drivers appear to value well lighted parking lots
more than they value security presence. Seventy- five percent of respondents rated “well
lighted parking lots” as frequently or almost always important, while only 60 percent
gave the same ratings to “security presence.” The majority of drivers rated features such
as entertainment facilities, Internet connections, and availability of travel information as
less important.
Almost 400 respondents provided written comments on the parking facility features they
consider important. The single most frequently mentioned feature was big parking
spaces that allow trucks to maneuver in and out (written by 45 drivers). Drivers
indicated that they look for quiet parking facilities where they are not likely to be
disturbed by police officers or solicitors. They value clean facilities where the personnel
are friendly. Drivers also commented that they prefer parking facilities that allow access
to shopping areas with grocery or department stores. Finally, drivers commented that
laundry facilities add to the appeal of a parking facility.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

Table 2. Importance of features when parking (as rated by drivers).

Important Features

Mean

Median

Mode

Restrooms
1.4
1.0
1
Convenient to highway
1.6
1.0
1
Showers
1.7
1.0
1
Well- lighted parking lot
1.9
1.0
1
Public phones
1.9
1.0
1
Restaurant
1.9
1.0
1
Fuel
2.0
1.0
1
Security presence
2.3
2.0
1
Repair facilities
2.6
3.0
1
Prepaid fuel cards accepted
2.9
3.0
1
Vending machines
3.4
3.0
5
Entertainment facilities
3.4
3.0
5
Travel information available
3.6
4.0
5
Internet connections
4.0
5.0
5
Note: Respondents rated the features on a scale from 1 to 5 (almost always important to
almost never important ).
Ratings given by short-haul drivers reflected the fact that they value parking facility
features differently than long- haul drivers. Specifically, long- haul drivers most often
rated features such as showers, fuel, and well- lighted parking lots as almost always
important, while short-haul drivers most often rated these same features as only
frequently important. Female respondents provided different ratings than their male
counterparts on some features. Eighty percent of women rated security presence as
frequently or almost always important, while just under 60 percent of men gave the same
ratings to security presence. Additionally, 92 percent of women rated “well- lighted
parking lot” as frequently or almost always important, while about 75 percent of men did
the same.
In addition to inquiring about the features that are important to drivers, the survey also
asked which type of parking facilities (public versus private) they prefer for parking.
Because parking facility preference likely depends on the purpose of the stop, various
common “reasons for parking” were identified to give context to their facility
preferences. Generally, when drivers showed a preference, they indicated a preference
for truck stops over rest areas (see table 3). Rest areas were preferred to truck stops only
when drivers stop for a quick (less than two hours) nap. For extended rest (more than
two hours), performing minor truck maintenance, and eating a meal, drivers
overwhelmingly preferred truck stops to rest areas, with between 80 percent and 90
percent of drivers indicating a preference for truck stops and less than six percent
indicating a preference for rest areas. Most respondents marked “no preference” for stops
made to use vending machines, get travel information, use public phones, and use the
restroom. However, among those drivers who did show a facility preference when
making these types of stops, more drivers indicated a preference for truck stops. For all
the parking reasons listed, short- haul driver preferences were the same as long- haul
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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

driver preferences. It is necessary to note that the data were collected at truck stops
rather than rest areas, and could, therefore, reflect a sampling bias for a truck stop
preference. However, pilot data suggests that a sample drawn at truck stops would be
generally the same as one drawn at rest areas, and would consequently represent truck
drivers at both commercial truck stops and public rest areas.
Table 3. Drivers’ parking facility preferences by purpose of stop.
Reason for Parking

Rest Area

Take a quick nap (≤ 2 hours)
45%
Take an extended rest (> 2 hours)
6%
Use vending machines
28%
Get travel information
9%
Use public phones
14%
Perform minor maintenance on truck
2%
Use the restroom
25%
Eat a meal
1%
Note: Due to rounding, percentages may not sum to 100.

No Preference

Truck Stop

36%
16%
58%
51%
49%
19%
45%
8%

19%
79%
14%
40%
37%
79%
30%
91%

3.4. Parking Solutions
3.4.1. What Improvements Do Drivers Recommend?
From a comprehensive list (see table 4), drivers identified the five truck-parking-related
improvements that they think will help the most in improving truck parking. This list of
possible solutions emerged from the discussions held at the Rest Area Forum. Drivers’
responses to this list of solutions reflect support for many of the recommendations made
at the Forum. The five improvements identified by the largest percentages of drivers
were:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Build more truck stops spaces (79 percent of respondents).
Build more rest area spaces (66 percent of respondents).
Stop enforcement officers from waking drivers (57 percent of respondents).
Eliminate time limits on truck parking spaces (49 percent of respondents).
Improve parking layouts/configurations (46 percent of respondents).

Coming in sixth and seventh places were “separate truck, car, and RV parking” and
“provide alternative parking,” marked by 42 percent and 36 percent of respondents,
respectively. When responses were examined by type of driver, respondents’
recommendations remained largely the same.
Recommendations also remained largely the same when isolated for those drivers who
prefer to park at truck stops for extended rest. Drivers who prefer to park at rest areas for
extended rest demonstrated slightly different priorities for improving truck parking (see

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

table 4). For example, their top recommendation was to build more rest area parking
spaces and they less often recommended eliminating time limits.
Table 4. Parking -related improvements identified by drivers as helping the most.
% of All
Drivers

Parking-Related Improvement

% of Truck
Stop Users

% of Rest
Area Users

Build more truck stop parking spaces
79%
80%
67%
Build more rest area parking spaces
66%
62%
76%
Stop enforcement officers from waking driver
57%
56%
52%
Eliminate time limits
49%
50%
38%
Improve parking layout/configuration (e.g.,
46%
46%
43%
more pull- through)
Separate truck, car, and RV parking
42%
41%
43%
Provide alternative parking (e.g., at weigh
36%
34%
42%
stations, Park-N-Ride lots)
Increase security presence
29%
31%
24%
Improve signs and roadway information for
28%
28%
28%
parking facilities
Improve lighting
26%
26%
25%
Use car parking for truck parking during peak
22%
21%
26%
overnight hours
Up-to-the- minute information on parking
18%
18%
15%
space availability
Adopt standard spacing between rest areas
16%
15%
21%
Improve amenities at rest areas
14%
14%
16%
Landscape to minimize hiding places for
13%
14%
10%
criminals/criminal activity
Educate drivers/dispatchers about planning
7%
6%
10%
parking stops before trip
Enforce time limits
1%
1%
1%
Note: Rest area users and truck stop users are those respondents who specified a
preference for public or private parking when they park for extended rest (i.e., more than
two hours). One-hundred-eleven respondents specified a preference for rest areas; 1,563
specified a preference for truck stops.
Two recommendations discussed at the Rest Area Forum were endorsed by drivers more
so than they were by Forum participants: “Improve parking layout/configuration” and
“separate truck, car, and RV parking.” Nearly half the respondents identified these two
solutions as having the potential to improve truck parking. The driver support shown for
these solutions suggests that even when the number of truck parking spaces is sufficient,
some of the spaces may be inaccessible to trucks. Poor parking space layout and
occupation of truck spaces by cars and recreational vehicles prohibit trucks from using

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Results

the truck spaces. Forum participants may not have been aware of the extent of this
problem.
3.4.2. How Might ITS Technology Help Drivers?
The Rest Area Forum participants recommended that parking availability informa tion be
made more accessible to drivers. Forum participants discussed the use of intelligent
transportations systems (ITS) technology to deliver real-time parking information to
drivers. Survey respondents provided feedback on whether they thought better
information exchange would improve the parking situation. Additionally, drivers
identified how they would like to receive real-time information and what type of
information they would find helpful.
When asked how they would like to receive real-time information, 73 percent of drivers
marked “radio in vehicle (e.g., CB, low-power FM, Dedicated Short Range
Communication (DSRC)).” Forty percent marked “electronic visual display in vehicle”
and 12 percent marked “the Internet.” Drivers indicated that the y would like to receive
the following types of real- time information:
•
•
•
•

Location of truck parking facilities along the road being traveled (84 percent of
respondents).
Features that are available at upcoming parking facilities (77 percent of
respondents).
Number of truck parking spaces available at upcoming parking facilities (68
percent of respondents).
Length of time limits on upcoming truck parking spaces (46 percent of
respondents).

Some of the respondents who indicated that they would benefit from receiving real- time
information on the location of truck parking facilities (number one above) or on the
number of spaces available (number three above) emphasized their position when they
marked their top five recommendations for improving truck parking. Specifically, 28
percent of these respondents included better signs and roadway information as one of
their top-five recommendations and 18 percent included provide up-to-the-minute
parking information in their top-five recommendations.
Over 200 respondents provided written comments about what other types of information
they would like to receive. Generally, drivers reported that they would like information
about the layout and size of parking spaces at upcoming facilities. They would find it
useful to know whether a parking facility can accommodate trucks that are oversized,
hauling hazardous material (HAZMAT), or multiple-trailer loads. Drivers also would
find useful any information on parking fees associated with parking facilities.

19

Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Summary and Conclusions

4.0. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
More than 2,000 truck drivers from all over the United States and Canada participated in
the survey effort for this TEA-21 Section 4027 Study on Adequacy of Truck Parking.
Responses were collected from long-haul and short-haul drivers at private truck stops
through site visits and mail-out distributions. The respondent pool included all types of
drivers from independent owner/operators who own just one truck to drivers employed by
large trucking carriers. Drivers responded enthusiastically to the study, oftentimes
thanking the survey team for making an effort to gather driver opinions. Response rates,
particularly during site visits, were unusually high for survey research.
Drivers provided insight into how often they park their trucks, what characteristics they
prefer in parking facilities, what they think of the current truck parking situation, and
what improvements they think would most improve truck parking. The original survey
task objectives sought to answer the following three questions:
•
•
•

How do truck drivers plan for and address their parking needs?
How do truck drivers select when, where, and at which facility they will park?
What do truck drivers think of the adequacy of current parking facilities?

Drivers generously provided answers to all these questions. Furthermore, drivers
generally agreed with each other, whether they drive for small operations or large ones,
and whether they are male or female.
Nearly all drivers reported that they, not their company colleagues, decide where the y
will park. Most drivers make the decision as they are driving. Drivers commented that
they find it difficult to plan parking before they embark on their trips because their
schedules often change. For example, shipper and receiver locations may be “backed up”
and cause them delay in moving on to their next destination. If they are delayed, drivers
cannot travel as far in their remaining legal duty hours as originally planned. They must
choose a parking facility that comes sooner along the corridor they are traveling. Despite
this impediment to parking planning, many drivers said that they can improvise because
they know the location of most parking facilities.
Drivers’ responses to the survey demonstrated definite preferences and priorities when it
comes to choosing where they will park. When drivers park their trucks, most expect to
satisfy only their basic needs. Drivers prefer parking facilities that provide food, fuel,
restrooms, phones, and showers. They also consider safety and convenience important
when they park their trucks. When it comes to safety, drivers appear to value welllighted parking lots even more than they value security presence. Drivers do not consider
entertainment and other “luxuries” to be necessary characteristics of a parking facility.
As one driver urged, “I just want to find a place to park that is safe and available.”
Because truck stops typically provide showers, restaurants, and repair facilities, it is not
surprising that drivers generally prefer private truck stops to public rest areas. When
drivers park for quick naps, they prefer to park in rest areas. For more lengthy activities

20

Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Summary and Conclusions

such as eating a meal, resting for the night, or repairing a truck, drivers would choose
truck stops whenever possible.
When members of the survey team approached drivers to introduce the study, the single
most common verbal response given by drivers was “build more spaces.” A handful of
drivers remarked that they don’t see a problem with truck parking, with one driver going
so far as to say, “drivers just need to learn how to park their trucks!” However, the
majority of drivers seemed to consider the problem epidemic. A majority of survey
respondents indicated that they rarely or almost never find available parking at public rest
areas. Fewer respondents reported such consistent trouble finding available parking at
private truck stops; however, the number one recommendation made by drivers for
improving the parking situation was “build more truck stop spaces.” The popularity of
this recommendation may reflect the fact that over three-quarters of respondents prefer to
use truck stops for long-term rest. In their written and verbal comments, drivers pointed
out that parking shortages are often related to location. They remarked that more parking
is needed near metropolitan areas and in certain regions of the Country (e.g., Northeast,
Southern California, Northwest). Most survey respondents indicated that the parking
facilities they encounter generally have characteristics that make those facilities usable.
But, drivers did recommend that time limits be eliminated and that parking lot layouts be
improved to facilitate the ingress and egress of tractor trailers that are commonly 53 feet
in length.
Drivers indicated in both their written and verbal remarks that one sure way to improve
the truck parking situation is to discourage law enforcement officers from waking
sleeping drivers. Drivers reflected the same concern as stakeholders that safety is
jeopardized when fatigued truck drivers are on the road. Drivers expressed a sense of
responsibility for getting off the road whenever they feel tired.
The parking needs and preferences relayed by drivers in this study are neither surprising
nor complicated. Drivers need more parking spaces and they would like to find those
spaces in clean, safe parking facilities. When drivers park their trucks, they want access
to basic amenities. They want to eat a meal, take a shower, and get a few hours of
uninterrupted sleep. Drivers participating in this survey were grateful for the opportunity
to share their perspectives. They expressed a willingness to work together with industry
and safety stakeholders to improve truck parking across the Nation.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

APPENDIX A.

DRIVER SURVEY

22

Appendix A

Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Appendix A

For Office Use Only
Date: _____________________
Time: _____________________
Facility ID _________________
Road & Direction: __________
Nearest Mile Marker/Cross Road:
___________________________

Truck Parking Needs and Preferences

“TRUCK PARKING FACILITY”- an area designated for truck parking,
including public rest areas, private truck stops, weigh stations, and pull-offs.
DIRECTIONS:
! PLEASE BE ASSURED THAT ALL RESPONSES ARE ANONYMOUS AND
CONFIDENTIAL. You do not need to include any identifying information on this
survey and your individual responses will not be reported to anyone.
!

YOUR RESPONSES ARE IMPORTANT TO US! We appreciate your thoughtful
feedback. Your responses will influence policy recommendations to improve
truck parking.

!

Please complete this survey alone. Do not confer with others about your responses.

!

YOU CANNOT GIVE A WRONG ANSWER. We are interested in your opinions.
Please respond to all items based on your experience and perceptions.

!

If you have any questions, please call 1-800-986-9678 and dial extension 33384 for Kelley Pécheux
or extension 33378 for John Farbry.

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Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Appendix A

Section A: Background
1. Which of the following driver categories best describes you? (Please mark all that apply.)
• independent owner/operator (1 power unit)
• independent owner/operator (multiple power units)
• driver for an owner/operator
• driver for a small-sized carrier (carrier with 2-10 power units)
• driver for a mid-sized carrier (carrier with 11-100 power units)
• driver for a large-sized carrier (carrier with over 100 power units)
• other, please specify ________________________________________________________
2. Do you participate in TEAM driving? (Please mark only one box.)

.-----------.------------------.-------------------.-------------------------.
Almost Always

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Almost Never

3. What is your sex?
• male
• female
4. Are you TYPICALLY a LONG-HAUL/REGIONAL or SHORT-HAUL/LOCAL driver?
(Please mark only one box.)
• long-haul (sleep away from home for work)
• short-haul (sleep at home)

Section B: Parking Patterns and Preferences
5. How many DAYS do you SLEEP AT HOME EACH MONTH? _____________ days
6. In a TYPICAL week on the road, HOW MANY TIMES do you park in the following places for
longterm rest (at least 4 hours of rest)? (Please write the number of times per week next to each.)
I sleep...
in a rest area parking lot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______ times per week
in a truck stop parking lot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______ times per week
in a parking lot not designated for truck parking (e.g., park & ride) ______ times per week
on the shoulder of the highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______ times per week
on an entrance/exit ramp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______ times per week
in sleeper birth while team driver drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______ times per week
at a loading/unloading location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ______ times per week
in a location not shown above (please specify) _____________ . . . .______ times per week

24

Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Appendix A

7. Who TYPICALLY decides where you will stop to park? (Please mark all that apply.)
• I do
• my company does (e.g., dispatcher or other company employee)
• other, please specify _______________________________________________________
8. If you park to SLEEP AWAY FROM HOME, WHEN IS THE DECISION MADE about where you
will park? (Please mark all that apply.)
• N/A-- I don’t park to sleep away from home
• as I’m driving, the decision is made
• before I start driving, the decision is made
• other, please specify _______________________________________________________
9. On a scale from 1 to 5 (“Almost Always Important” to “Almost Never Important”), please rate how
often the following features are important to you when you park at a truck stop or rest area.

When I park my truck, this feature is...
(circle only one number for each feature)

Feature
convenience to highway
well-lighted parking lot
prepaid fuel cards accepted
travel info
(e.g., info kiosks, maps)
entertainment facilities
(e.g., arcade, movies)
Internet connections
security presence
showers
repair facilities
vending machines
restaurant
public phones
fuel
restrooms
other, please specify
_______________

Almost Always
Important
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4

1

2

3

4

5

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3

4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

25

Almost Never
Important
5
5
5
5

Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Appendix A

10. Trucks are sometimes parked on ramps or shoulders along the road. Why do you think
ramps and shoulders are sometimes used for truck parking?
PLEASE MARK THE 4 MOST COMMON REASONS.
• no nearby parking facility
• no empty spaces in nearby truck stops or rest areas
• nearby parking spaces have time limits that are too short
• hard to drive around parking lots
• empty nearby parking spaces are blocked by other trucks, cars, or RVs
• the ramp/shoulder is convenient for getting back on the road
• better lighting on ramp/shoulder than in lot
• less likely to be bothered by strangers (e.g., drug dealers, prostitutes)
• other, please specify____________________________________________________
11. Please indicate how often you encounter EACH of the following parking situations:

I encounter this parking situation...
(mark only one box for each situation listed on the left)
Parking Situation
Almost
Frequently Sometimes Rarely Almost
Always
Never
Truck stops have parking available.
.
.
.
.
.
Rest areas have parking available.
.
.
.
.
.
My next stop (e.g., shipper/receiver) has
.
.
.
.
.

parking available.
Available parking is convenient to the
highway.
The parking facility has the features I need.
Parking time limits allow enough time for
me to park.
There is enough room for me to get in and
out of available spaces.
Truck spaces are used only by trucks.
Other, please specify__________________

.

.

.

.

.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

12. When you stop FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS, where do you PREFER to park, at rest
areas or truck stops?

Parking Facility Preference
(mark only one box for each reason listed on the left)
Reason For Stopping
REST
NO
TRUCK
AREA
PREFERENCE
STOP
Take a quick nap (2 hours or less)
.
.
.
Rest for extended period (more than 2 hours)
.
.
.
Use vending machines
.
.
.
Get travel info (e.g., maps)
.
.
.
Use public phones
.
.
.
Perform minor maintenance on truck
.
.
.
Use the restroom
.
.
.
Eat a meal
.
.
.
Other, please specify ______________________ .
.
.

26

Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Appendix A

Section C: Parking Solutions
13. What type of up-to-the-minute information on truck parking availability would help you plan your
stops while you drive? (Please mark all that apply.)
. location of truck parking facilities along the road I’m traveling
. number of truck parking spaces available at upcoming parking facilities
. length of time limits on upcoming truck parking spaces
. features (e.g., food, fuel, phone) that are available at upcoming parking facilities
. other, please specify___________________________________________
14. How would you like to receive up-to-the-minute information on truck parking availability?
(Please mark all that apply.)
. electronic visual display in vehicle
. radio in vehicle (e.g., CB, low-power FM, DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communication))
. the Internet
. other, please specify___________________________________________
15. Below is a list of possible truck parking improvements.
PLEASE MARK THE 5 IMPROVEMENTS THAT YOU THINK WOULD HELP THE MOST.
• improve lighting
• increase security presence
• landscape to minimize hiding places for criminals/criminal activity
• improve amenities at rest areas
• build more truck stop parking spaces
• build more rest area parking spaces
• separate truck, car, and RV parking
• use car parking for truck parking during peak overnight hours
• enforce time limits on truck parking
• eliminate time limits on truck parking
• improve parking layout/configuration (e.g., more diagonal pull-through)
• improve signs and roadway information for parking facilities
• up-to-the-minute information on parking space availability
• adopt standard spacing between rest areas
• provide alternative parking (e.g., at weigh stations, Park-N-Ride, private parking lots)
• stop enforcement officers from waking driver
• educate drivers/dispatchers about planning parking stops before trip
• other, please specify ____________________

27

Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Appendix A

Section D: Information About This Trip
PLEASE NOTE: The following items pertain ONLY to THIS TRIP - from the time you
left home until the time you return home.
16. Where did you pick up (or drop off) your last load?

City __________ State __________

17. Where will you drop off this load (or pick up the next load)? City __________ State __________
18. Where is your home base (normal work reporting location)? City __________ State __________
19. Right now, about how far are you away from home base (to the nearest mile)?
• 0-199 miles
• 200-499 miles
• 500-999 miles
• 1,000-1,999 miles
• 2,000 miles or more
20. On this trip, where did you last park your truck to sleep?
• I have not slept yet
• truck stop
• rest area
• ramp
• loading dock
• other __________________
21. Where is the next place that you plan to park your truck to sleep?
• home
• truck stop
• rest area
• ramp
• loading dock
• other ________________

28

Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment of Parking Needs and Preferences

Appendix A

22. How many days will you be away from home on this trip? ___________ Days
23. Please indicate how often you have encountered EACH of the following parking situations ON THIS
TRIP.

ON THIS TRIP, I have encountered
this parking situation...
(Mark only one box for each situation listed on the left)

Parking Situation

Almost
Always
Truck stops have parking available.
.
Rest areas have parking available.
.
My next stop (e.g., shipper/receiver) has
.

Frequently

Sometimes

Rarely

Almost
Never
.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.
.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.

.

.

.

.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

.
.

parking available.
Available parking is convenient to the
highway.
The parking facility has the features I need.
Parking time limits allow enough time for
me to park.
There is enough room for me to get in and
out of available spaces.
Truck spaces are used only by trucks.
Other, please specify
__________________

24. In which towns/cities are you scheduled to PICK UP or DROP OFF loads on this trip (including your
origin and final destination)?
Please list all towns/cities here:
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

THANK YOU !

29

Commercial Vehicle Driver Survey: Assessment Of Parking Needs And Preferences

References

REFERENCES
1. Commercial Driver Rest & Parking Requirements: Making Space for Safety.
Publication No. FHWA-MC-96-0010, Federal Highway Administration, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C., May 1996.
2. Rest Area Forum: Summary of Proceedings. Publication No. FHWA-RD-00-034,
Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Washington, D.C., December 1999.
3. Pécheux, K.K., Chen, K.J., Farbry, J., and Fleger, S.A. Model Development for
National Assessment of Commercial Vehicle Parking, Publication No. FHWARD-01-159, Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation,
Washington, D.C., March 2002.

30