A New IDOT System to Help Iowa Truck Drivers Find Parking

Do you struggle to find a safe place to park your big rig? Safety is a growing concern for truck drivers. Most drivers spend more than 30 minutes trying to find adequate parking. Therefore, this often results in unauthorized parking. Thanks to a new IDOT system known as Trucks Park Here, truck drivers are now able to find a safe parking spot. This hi-tech system monitors and gathers real-time data at rest areas and private truck stops. It can alert truck drivers to parking areas along Interstate 80, I-380, I-35, and I-29.

How the IDOT system works

In 2016, Members of the Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials created this parking availability service. Their goal was to deliver real-time information to drivers.

How does this system work? First, the vehicle detection system measures available parking. The IDOT system also includes closed parking lots. In-ground sensors, gates, and camera/video monitor parking availability. This can vary by state. Second, the parking data goes to states and 3rd party processors. Finally, the data is delivered to drivers. Drivers can see the data on digital roadside signs along the interstate, in-cab navigation, smartphone apps, and the 511 traveler information websites.

Trucks Park Here offers many benefits, such as:

• Cost savings
• Improves the quality of life for drivers, allowing them to get adequate rest and decrease fatigue-related accidents
• Monitors public rest stops, and private truck stops
• Delivers real-time data to drivers
• Monitors trucking volume and parking capacity

The free tracking system is now available in eight states. The eight states include Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. However, it can vary from state-to-state. To access the parking information, use the smartphone app at www.511ia.org.

At Waspy’s, both our Audubon, IA and Templeton, IA locations have ample parking for trucks. If you are looking for a place to stop, rest, and refuel, we hope you will stop by and see us.