In 2003, there were approximately 8,000,000 registered large trucks in the US. (A large truck is defined as a truck with gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 10,000 pounds). Combining this statistic with the prediction that freight will grow 70% to 80% in the next 20 years, plus the fact that many communities will not allow truck stops to be built in their neighborhoods, it is no wonder there is a national shortage of parking for commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). (Source: US DOT, FMCSA, Facts & Research Webpage, Commercial Motor Vehicle Facts.) Even though it is a national problem, we needed to be able to answer whether Maryland highways offered adequate CMV parking. With this in mind, we designed our survey forms to show not only where they were parked, but also if they were legally parked in those locations. We treated legal parking as those locations where CMV parking is permitted, usually painted-line parking spaces, in both private and public facilities. Illegal/unsafe parking locations are shoulders, on-ramps, off-ramps, pull-off areas, picnic areas, wide spots in the road and other locations where signage prohibits CMV parking. Approximately 60 very conscientious volunteers from both the public and private sectors performed the 4-day study and we feel that we have a very real picture of truck parking in Maryland. Because our effort was neither costly, terribly scientific, or of longer duration, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) cannot verify the accuracy of the data. Please direct inquiries concerning the Truck Parking Study (TPS) to the MDOT Office of Freight Logistics by calling us at 410-865-1229. |
