The panel consisted of representatives from the U.S. DOT, the enforcement community and owner-operator and large fleet interest groups.
They spoke for an hour Thursday at MATS about potential fixes for the industry’s parking crisis, the main consensus being: There’s no simple answer.
The panel was moderated by Tom Phelan of research group VHB. Panelists included Scott Grenerth, head of regulatory affairs for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association; Darrin Roth, VP of highway policy for the American Trucking Associations; Tom Kearney, emergency transportation and freight corridor manager for the DOT’s Federal Highway Administration; and Will Schaefer, director of vehicle programs for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.
Grenerth early in the panel discussion established one of the key Catch 22s for truck operators today: Remaining compliant with federal safety rules while also finding a safe, secure place to park during off-duty rest periods.
“Spaces obviously are good and are needed,” Grenerth said in response to a question by Phelan, who asked if simply having more spaces in the U.S. would solve the truck parking problem. “But it’s going to take more than just spaces. We need them in the right places, and they need to be accessible and safe.”
FHWA’s Kearney said the federal budget for truck parking is “not sufficient,” saying competition among federal agencies for federal funds have set back efforts to fund research and parking projects nationwide.
