Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/580471
Logbook 18 | Overdrive | October 2015 Though some major truck stop chains now offer a limited number of parking spaces for paid reservations, close to half of respondents to a recent survey reported no willing- ness to pay for parking. Company drivers were least likely to show any willingness to pay at all, with leased owner-oper- ators most likely, in the survey by the American Transportation Research Institute. Owner-operators with their own authority, meanwhile, were split down the middle on will- ingness to pay. Asked about willingness to pay in major metropol- itan areas where parking problems are well-known, all three groups of re- spondents showed more willingness to pay. Results from the ATRI study, "Commercial Driver Perspectives on Truck Parking," were released last month. It's the first in a series of technical mem- oranda focused on critical truck parking issues. It highlighted the ex- tent of parking problems and areas of needed focus across the nation, issues also addressed in the recent Jason's Law Truck Parking Survey conducted by the Federal Highway Administration and partners. Respondents to the ATRI survey also were asked how many times out of every 10 stops they stopped at a public rest area versus a private truck stop. The average split was 5.6 stops at truck stops, 4.4 at rest areas. Al- ternative parking choices were not included in the question. The ATRI survey said adding capacity, a need identified in the Jason's Law study, "is expensive and rarely politically acceptable, so alternative methods of managing parking resources are being explored," including the "somewhat contro- versial" fee-reservation systems. ATRI said its data gath- ering will continue. Fur- ther efforts will synthesize data from both studies. – Todd Dills Pay-to-park gets mixed response Survey respondents were more willing to pay for parking in urban areas with known parking problems. Safe, involved drivers can compete for one of the industry's top honors by entering the annual Driver of the Year Contest, which is open to applications through Nov. 6. The winning owner-op- erator and company driver each will receive $25,000. The two runners-up in both divisions will win $2,500 each. The awards recognize drivers who have driven safely, enhanced the image of trucking and served their communities. The contest is conduct- ed by the Truckload Car- riers Association, Overdrive and Truckers News, and sponsored by Cummins and Love's Travel Stops. "These professional drivers showcase the very best in the industry," says Jon Archard, Love's vice president of sales. "To reach this level of excel- lence requires dedication, loyalty and effort. Love's is honored to show our appreciation for them." "We can all agree that the driver is the most important aspect of any trucking operation, as it is their skill and commitment that enables the trans- portation of goods safely across the country," says Amy Boerger, vice presi- dent of Cummins' North American Engine Business. "We hope this will inspire a future generation of drivers." The awards will be presented at TCA's annual meeting, March 6-9, in Las Vegas. The six finalists will receive an expense-paid trip to the meeting. Online applications and eligibility rules are avail- able through TruckLoad. org/DriveroftheYear. – Max Heine A chance to win $25,000