Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act

Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act

This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide competitive grants for projects that provide public parking for commercial motor vehicles and improve the safety of commercial motor vehicle drivers. States, metropolitan planning organizations, tribal governments, and local governments are eligible for these grants. The grants must be used for projects on federal-aid highways or a facility with reasonable access to such a highway or a freight facility.

In providing grants, DOT must determine that

• there is a shortage of commercial motor vehicle parking capacity in the corridor in which the project is located;
• the eligible entity has consulted with motor carriers, commercial motor vehicle drivers, public safety officials, and private providers of commercial motor vehicle parking regarding the project;
• the project will likely increase the availability or utilization of commercial motor vehicle parking, facilitate the efficient movement of freight or improve highway safety, traffic congestion, and air quality; and
• the eligible entity has demonstrated the ability to provide for the maintenance and operation of the facility.

To the maximum extent practicable, DOT must select grant projects that maximize the geographic dispersion of new commercial motor vehicle parking capacity across the United States.

The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 2367, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to address the issue of inadequate truck parking facilities for long-haul truck drivers.

The bill proposes several key measures to improve truck parking safety. One of the main provisions is the establishment of a grant program to help states and localities expand and improve truck parking facilities along major highways. This would help alleviate the current shortage of safe and secure parking spaces for truck drivers, reducing the risk of accidents and improving overall road safety.

Additionally, the bill calls for the development of a national system to provide real-time information on available truck parking spaces. This would help truck drivers plan their routes more effectively and avoid situations where they are forced to park in unsafe or unauthorized locations. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to study the impact of truck parking shortages on driver fatigue and highway safety. This research would help inform future policy decisions and ensure that the needs of truck drivers are adequately addressed. Overall, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act aims to enhance the safety and well-being of long-haul truck drivers by improving access to safe and secure parking facilities. By addressing this critical issue, the bill has the potential to make a significant impact on road safety and the overall efficiency of the trucking industry.