WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is moving forward with a study aimed at putting a dollar figure on the benefits of building more truck parking spaces. The agency plans to survey thousands of truck drivers about their parking habits and experiences, according to a Federal Register notice set for publication on April 6, 2026.
FMCSA will submit the proposed information collection — titled “Quantifying the Benefits of Creating New Truck Parking Spaces” — to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval. The agency aims to collect 1,000 complete responses from truck drivers.
What the Survey Will Ask
The survey will ask truckers how often they park in unauthorized spaces, stop driving early just to secure a spot, drive off their planned routes to find parking, or push past hours-of-service limits in search of a place to park.
The study also seeks to answer broader questions. How large is the nationwide shortage of truck parking spaces? What are the most cost-effective ways to increase capacity? Which parking information management systems work best? What percentage of drivers routinely make reservations or pay for parking?
Why FMCSA Is Doing This
FMCSA says the goal is to give state and local governments the data they need to make informed decisions about building more truck parking. “Many government, safety, and industry organizations are working to create more truck parking spaces, but there is a lack of research on the actual precise monetary benefits of new truck parking spaces,” the agency said. “These benefits include decreasing carriers’ costs, increasing drivers’ well-being, and reducing the number of crashes.”
FMCSA first announced the survey in November 2025 and opened a public comment period. Seven of the eight comments received supported the effort.
The full Federal Register notice is available here.
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