Research · Parking pressure screening
Where is truck parking under the most pressure?
A practical screening tool for states, MPOs, and corridor studies to identify where field checks and parking improvements should begin.
Key takeaways
Find where to look first
- Start with the full networkFind the locations where parking pressure deserves a closer look.
- The busiest highway is not always the biggest parking problemSome busy corridors have enough parking. Others do not.
- Get a priority listFocus field checks and parking studies where they are most needed.
Screening cells covering the 48 contiguous states.
Cells with at least one identified truck parking facility.
Parking-pressure locations flagged for additional review.
What the screen tells you
A simple way to find where to look first
The screen highlights locations where truck traffic and parking use suggest existing supply may be under pressure.
Traffic alone is not enough
A busy corridor may already have enough parking.
Parking use matters
Heavily used locations deserve a closer look.
Amenities matter
Food service is strongly associated with where parking activity concentrates.
Process
From statewide map to field action
Screen the area
Identify the corridors and locations that stand out.
Verify priority locations
Check ramps, shoulders, nearby streets, rest areas, and truck stops.
Choose the response
Evaluate added capacity, operational changes, parking information, or further site study.
Next step
A location is flagged. What next?
- Confirm the problemCheck for overflow on ramps, shoulders, streets, or nearby properties.
- Check existing facilitiesDetermine whether they are full, difficult to access, or poorly configured.
- Evaluate optionsConsider expansion, new spaces, operational improvements, or better parking information.
Limits
What the map does not tell you
- A screening tool, not a final space countA flagged location does not tell you exactly how many spaces are needed.
- Local verification is still neededField observations and local data should confirm conditions at specific locations.
- Data confidence variesSome locations have more direct observations than others.
Deliverables
What a state, MPO, or corridor analysis can deliver
- Truck parking pressure mapFor a state, MPO, region, or corridor.
- Ranked locationsFor field verification.
- Interstate and freight-corridor summariesFor planning and project screening.
Start with where to look
Parking pressure screening identifies where to investigate first, so detailed field work can focus on the locations that matter most.
Related
Related research
Authored, reviewed, and approved by Troy Choi, Ph.D., P.E. Transportation Systems Optimization and Engineering Research.