As hours-of-service regulations get even more attention with the federal electronic logging device mandate this year, another form of tech is offering some help for drivers trying to find parking around Minneapolis, MN.
A recent study by the American Transportation Research Industry found that more than half of all truck drivers who used the system believed it was a significant help as they tried to find parking in congested stops around Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The study used several cameras to keep tabs on parking spot availability at three rest areas along the I-94 within a hundred miles of the Twin-Cities area.
Drivers could get updates on parking possibilities via the internet, an in-cab display, and through roadside electronic message signs. The ATRI survey learned that drivers prefer to get that information in the order of roadside signs first, followed by smartphone apps, web sites, and finally, through on-board devices.
The ATRI report suggests that advance notice of parking will help drivers do a better job of scheduling their stopping points and allow them to spot other options if their first parking choice turns out to be full.
While some tweaks need to be made to improve the system’s accuracy, any additional assistance in finding parking would appear to have value on several levels. It would not only help drivers comply with the HOS mandate, but also save money, considering another ATRI study that suggested truck drivers spend an average of nearly an hour a day searching for parking, costing them nearly $5,000 a year in lost wages.
Bay & Bay Transportation supports innovations that improve the productivity of its local haulers in several metro areas, and those who are handling longer routes across the U.S. and into Canada.
Reliability and safety are a direct result of great drivers and good planning. It’s one of the many reasons why Bay & Bay is known as a quality driven tradition on highways around Minneapolis and thousands of miles of roadway nationwide. Call (888) 801-3026, or visit our website to learn more about driver opportunities and hauling solutions.