Truck drivers on Interstate 10 in Arizona now have real-time parking updates thanks to a new system. Launched by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the Truck Parking Availability System (TPAS) covers various rest areas.
The big picture: TPAS aims to reduce the time truckers spend looking for parking, preventing unsafe parking along road shoulders and other non-designated spots.
- The system is active at Ehrenberg, Bouse Wash, Texas Canyon, and San Simon rest areas.
- It employs radar and cameras to monitor and display available parking spots.
- Truckers can view this information on electronic signs and through ADOT's traveler information site az511.gov.
Why it matters: Finding parking can be a challenge for truckers, often leading to long and tiring searches. A 2020 poll noted that 78% of drivers spend over 30 minutes searching for safe parking. This system is designed to alleviate that issue, according to ADOT's announcement.
What's next: ADOT is expanding its efforts with plans to add more parking spaces at other rest areas along key routes. This includes a new lot at I-10 and State Route 186 to further improve parking options.
Additional work continues to enhance Arizona's overall highway infrastructure for truckers.