Did you know that the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) reports that, on average, drivers spend 56 minutes a day looking for parking?
The shortage of parking spaces has appeared on its list of top ten issues for truck drivers for ten years. It has consistently been ranked the number three issue for commercial drivers and, in the last few years, ranked among the top five for all drivers. In fact, the US Department of Transportation’s 2019 Jason’s Law Report found that approximately 98% of drivers have trouble finding parking, compared to 75% in 2015.
So what does this mean?
Insufficient parking puts people, businesses and the community at risk, leading to other industry issues, including:
- More collisions, injuries and fatalities,
- Workforce challenges for fleet managers,
- Lost productivity,
- Unsafe work conditions for drivers and diminished health and wellbeing,
- More greenhouse gas emissions and damage to the environment, and
- Unnecessary costs and lost revenue for drivers and employers.
The number of female drivers is increasing steadily, and this issue is even more complex for them. Business Insider reports that distribution centers and warehouses often don’t open washrooms to drivers, and there is an appalling shortage of rest areas with spaces and proper facilities for women. And, to make matters worse, the pandemic caused many states to close rest stops to save money.
How can you keep your drivers safe?
It will take time for some of these government and industry initiatives to gain traction. In the meantime, fleet managers can take matters into their own hands to keep drivers safe.
Telematics solutions allow you to track fleet activity in real-time, including when drivers are having difficulty finding parking. You can help them plan their route in advance, and work with them if they encounter challenges while they are on the road.
Some companies scout out safe, well-lit parking facilities that are equipped with the proper amenities for both men and women in advance of travel. Dispatchers can route drivers to company-authorized stops, and, if possible, make reservations before they arrive so drivers aren’t forced to park illegally on off ramps or roadways when they run out of drive time.
ELDs are also an important part of an effective telematics platform. The electronic logging device (ELD) Mandate, which requires employers to record driver and vehicle activity, passed into law in 2019 in the U.S. and came into effect in Canada in 2021. ELDs allow employers to support the safety of drivers and others on the road, as well as simplify the process of maintaining Records of Duty Status and Hours of Service.
In addition, the data you collect can be used to improve safety on a larger scale. It can be shared with cities to help with parking development and infrastructure design.
