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Study highlights lack of truck stops
Results from a Transport Canada study on rest stops in Canada is pointing to what many drivers and companies already know: there isn't that many, service is lacking, and security and safety is a concern.
February 11, 2013 By Today's Trucking
The study, titled Rest Area Research Project, was prepared by Polytechnique Montreal in consultation with the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA). The lack of rest stops, CTA noted, affects driver behaviour and can cause drivers to run over their allowable hours-of-service.
Over 60 percent of truck drivers surveyed said they routinely have trouble finding parking or places to rest while operating in Canada, according to Today’s Trucking. An overwhelming majority said that facilities and basic amentities are lacking from public rest areas and service centres across the country.
Northern Ontario, Southern B.C., stretches of Alberta, and most large urban areas were the geographical locations cited as the worst areas.
Forty-nine percent of drivers reported going beyond their planned location to find parking, sometimes causing them to go over their available driving hours. Drivers, CTA noted, indicated they wanted more flexibility on regulations when they can’t find parking. Forty-two percent of drivers said they have been told by an enforcement officer to move from a non-designated parking space.
In total, 88 percent of drivers surveyed said there are not enough rest areas, roadside pullouts and turnouts, or safe havens to safely perform inspections.
“The most popular ad-hoc parking locations,” CTA said, “are industrial properties, followed by shopping mall parking lots, vacant lots, roadside pullouts and weigh stations.”
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