Florida's Truck Parking Availability

Florida’s transportation system has seen an increase in commercial vehicle traffic over the years. The high percentage of freight transported by trucks illustrates the significance and importance of the Florida roadway network as it relates to just-in-time deliveries. With the increase in commercial vehicle traffic, additional issues arise; one of the issues deals with commercial vehicle operators and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations (FMCSA) hours-of-service (HOS) rules. Florida’s truck stops experience overflow parking at some locations while others remain underutilized, demonstrating a need for stronger parking information management. Truck drivers facing this ongoing challenge often resort to unsafe and illegal methods of parking on the interstate mainline and ramp shoulders or in vacant lots.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is currently developing a Truck Parking Availability System (TPAS) to address the need for parking information management. The TPAS program will be delivered in three stages: Implementation of technology at state owned facilities to accurately assess and disseminate the availability of truck parking, development of predictive analysis for future parking availability; and incorporation of private parking locations for systemwide resource utilization. The information that will be provided by TPAS will assist truck drivers in identifying available parking locations where the technology is deployed. Please see all of the documents regarding TPAS here.