Combating the Truck Parking Shortage in Indiana

As a result of parking shortages for semi-trucks and other commercial motor vehicles across the state of Indiana, a new $37 million parking center has opened near I-65 in Boone County. The facilities create 150 new parking spaces for trucks, as well as more restrooms available for drivers.

For every 11 semi-trucks on the road, there is one parking spot available for them. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) plans to add more the 1,200 additional parking spots by 2034; a project that includes a $600 million investment into 21 rest areas, welcome centers, and truck parking facilities throughout the state. This is an expansion of the 1,400 spaces that are currently allocated.

Some other solutions to Indiana’s truck parking shortage come in the form of renting spaces to truck drivers. Truck Parking Club, a private company, is working to fill the gaps in Indiana’s parking shortages. As drivers wait for more official parking to be created, the company partners with local property owners with spots that already allow truck traffic. As a result, these owners can get into the business of truck parking without worrying about zoning ordinances or weight limits.

According to INDOT, 724 million tons of freight travel through Indiana every year. It is the fifth-busiest state for commercial freight traffic, and Indiana’s freight flow is expected to increase by about 60% by 2040. This uptick will worsen the parking shortages if INDOT’s current plan fails to keep up with the volume of trucks traveling through the state.

But parking shortages are not just an Indiana problem. The United States, as a whole, faces a chronic lack of truck parking, which has a detrimental impact on truck drivers.

The Dangers of Parking Shortages

Truck drivers have several rules and regulations they must follow to ensure they drive and park safely. When drivers are unable to find proper parking for their trucks, they are forced to either violate the federal hours-of-service regulations that require rest breaks at certain times or park in places that are unsafe and unauthorized. These shortages ultimately negatively impact drivers’ quality of life, roadway safety, and the supply chain.

Parking shortage is a rampant problem in the United States. In fact, 98% of drivers regularly face difficulties finding safe parking, 70% of drivers are forced to violate the hours-of-service rules because they are trying to find safe parking, and drivers lose around $6,813 or a 12% pay cut while searching for safe parking. All these factors lead drivers to sacrifice the ability to safely park in order to stay on schedule and preserve their pay.

While violating the hours-of-service regulations is one safety hazard caused by parking shortages, another is the choice to park in areas that are not authorized for trucks, which leads to dangerous conditions for everyone on the roads.

The most common unauthorized parking spots are highway ramps. Highway ramps are not intended for trucks to park on long-term, especially at night when truck drivers often park to rest. These stretches of road are built for acceleration, and when a semi is parked on a ramp, it provides an unexpected obstacle for other drivers. This causes a reduction in visibility and the amount of time drivers have to react, therefore significantly increasing the risk of accidents.

In addition to increased accident risk, parking on highway ramps also exposes semi-trucks to potential damage. Not everyone drives on highway ramps with equal caution, which can lead to sideswipes and fender benders while the truck is parked.

The Legal Consequences of Unsafe Parking

Truck drivers who are unable to find safe, authorized parking and choose to park on highway ramps can also face legal repercussions. In fact, it is illegal to do so in Indiana.

While not all states enforce this law, many do ticket drivers who do this. Beginning in 2023, police in Greenwood, Indiana became stricter in an effort to crack down on the issue of highway ramp parking. Greenwood police used to knock on truck cabs to warn truck drivers they needed to move, but they ultimately decided to ticket drivers instead because the illegal parking had become so rampant. Each of those violations is a $150 fine.

Drivers could also face civil liability in the instance that parking their truck on a highway ramp causes an accident. They could be held responsible for the costs and damages or worse if the crash results in serious injuries or wrongful death.

Indiana’s Efforts

Ultimately, the current parking shortage for trucks is a nationwide problem that requires solutions on a state-by-state basis. Indiana’s efforts to create more parking in Boone County can help alleviate that problem.

As a major transportation hub for truck traffic, especially along Interstate 65, Boone County parking increase will create a solution for many truckers. And with upcoming parking projects in Vigo, Posey, and Wayne Counties, INDOT is working to provide drivers with safe places to park.

Injured After a Truck Wreck? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Can Help

Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. Both attorneys David W. Craig and Scott A. Faultless are board-certified in truck accident law by the NBTA, accredited by the American Bar Association. The firm also has a rapid response team that works with investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics who immediately collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired.

Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reach out for a free case consultation today at (888) 253-5198 or online.

David W. Craig is board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, accredited by the American Bar Association in Truck Accident Law. He sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (which requires the board certification in truck accident law). He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck, A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.