Summary

Trucks deliver freight for 79 percent of California's communities: 57,000 manufacturers, 164,800 retail stores, and 72,000 wholesale trade companies. The importance of trucking to this state mandates a study of industry concerns, including (but not limited to) concerns over the economy, emissions and health, energy, and safety. Particular problems are driver fatigue and the lack of available parking on California's highways.

This study is going to be conducted in five parts: first, the study will address the concern over parking by reviewing existing literature on the subject, evaluating this information, and conducting expert interviews with CHP (California Highway Patrol) personnel and motor carriers. ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) solutions will then be recommended.

Secondly, researchers will conduct expert interviews with individuals from Caltrans' Office of Goods Movement, Planning, and Traffic Operations, the Division of Research and Innovation, as well as others from the CHP, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the American Trucking Association, and motor carrier firms. As part of these interviews, electronic commercial vehicle operator screening will be considered. The intent is to identify institutional barriers delaying ITS solutions to the parking problem, and identify steps to overcome those barriers.

Thirdly, a preliminary behavioral analysis of 200 or more truckers at the Port of Oakland and other locations will be conducted to assess current parking perceptions, and responses to ITS solutions like a reservation system.

Fourthly, interviews will be conducted with experts from parking technology companies (Clancy, Denso, ParkingCarma, Quixote, etc.) about options for providing parking information to truckers like CB-radios, changeable message signs, mobile phones, on-board computers, parking sensors, PrePass commercial transponders, and/or traveler information radios.

Lastly, preliminary site analyses will be completed to identify suitable locations for ITS technologies, including rest stops in Long Beach/Los Angeles and San Francisco. A field test will be organized with rest stop operators, technology vendors, and trucking firms to test the technologies.

Related PATH Articles/Journals

Susan Shaheen and Caroline Rodier, "Commercial Vehicle Parking in California: Exploratory Evaluation of the Problem and Possible Technology-Based Solutions," (UCB-ITS-PRR-2007-11). 01 August 2007.