Bill Overview
Title: Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act
Description: This bill authorizes appropriations through FY2026 to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide parking for commercial motor vehicles on the federal-aid highway system. DOT must provide competitive grants to states, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, and tribal governments for projects that improve the safety of commercial motor vehicle operators and provide parking for commercial motor vehicles on federal-aid highways or on a facility with reasonable access to such a highway or a freight facility. The federal share for a project carried out in accordance with the bill shall be up to 100%.
Sponsors: Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]
Target Audience
Population: People employed in the global trucking industry, including commercial truck drivers
Estimated Size: 3500000
- The bill addresses the truck parking shortage, suggesting it directly impacts truck drivers who need safe parking.
- Commercial truck drivers often face challenges in finding secure parking, affecting their rest and safety; improving this will directly benefit them.
- There are approximately 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States, indicating a significant national population affected.
- Globally, the trucking industry employs millions more, though this bill targets US infrastructure.
- The availability of safer parking can improve conditions for not only drivers but also for communities where they currently park unsafely, suggesting broader community impact.
Reasoning
- The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act targets improving truck parking infrastructure, directly benefiting the 3.5 million truck drivers in the US.
- Any policy implementation must consider the capacity to improve overburdened infrastructure, ensuring safe, accessible parking for long-haul drivers.
- The $100 million allotted in the first year likely allows impactful changes, yet only in certain strategic locations, given the scope of funding.
- Wellbeing impact is assessed through measuring ease of parking, rest quality, and overall safety improvements to drivers, using Cantril wellbeing scores.
- Apart from truckers, other individuals indirectly affected include residents of communities where unsafe parking presents issues, government planners, and logistics managers relying on timely deliveries.
Simulated Interviews
commercial truck driver (Georgia)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finding safe parking is a constant struggle on the road.
- This policy seems like it could really make a difference if the implementation is thorough and widespread.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
commercial truck driver (California)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's exhausting not knowing where I can park safely at night.
- More available spots would make my job significantly easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
retired truck driver (Texas)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could make life easier for current drivers, a change I wish we'd had sooner.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
logistics manager (Illinois)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better parking facilities might improve delivery schedules and driver satisfaction.
- I'm not directly affected but it could streamline operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
local government official (New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could relieve illegal parking issues in our city.
- Urban space management will benefit from safer truck parking.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
commercial truck driver (Pennsylvania)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Parking is such a hassle, which makes the job so much harder.
- This policy seems promising if executed well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
truck stop owner (Ohio)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could attract more trucks to my stop if it improves nearby infrastructure.
- Hope it doesn't lead to too much competition or overbuilt redundancy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
commercial truck driver (Florida)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Safe parking is crucial both for safety and compliance with driving hours.
- The initiative is welcome but it depends on execution timing and coverage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
local business owner (Kentucky)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If truckers are more rested, my deliveries are more reliable.
- Parking issues should be addressed, support for the policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
urban planner intern (Colorado)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The project presents a great learning opportunity.
- Exciting to see practical applications impacting public infrastructure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Year 2: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 3: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill's budget relies on federal funding, with full project cost potentially borne by federal grants.
- Safety improvements are a primary focus which can impact driver well-being and efficiency.
- Long-term maintenance costs are not covered beyond FY2026, implying additional future financial responsibilities for state or local governments.
- Positive externalities may include reduced local congestion from trucks seeking parking and potentially lower accident rates.