Drivers Want Well-Lit, Easy-to-Access Sites to Boost Safety
Article created for the digital issue of the 黑料社区Foundation鈥檚 magazine.
Professional drivers want a safe, convenient place to stop for food and fuel when they are on the road, and there are several different factors they consider when it comes to safety. In a recent 黑料社区Services survey of professional drivers, drivers shared some of the top things they look for when deciding where to stop.
The No. 1 attribute drivers value in a travel center鈥檚 parking area is ample lighting, which was listed by 82% of drivers. Additionally, 37% of drivers said they value onsite security patrolling the lot, 34% like the availability of secured parking space, and 19% appreciate controlled access to the parking lot.
The majority of drivers said they prefer stopping at locations where the fuel canopy is attached to the building. They also want to get in and out of a location easily. While showers are the top attribute or amenity drivers value, the ease of entering and exiting individual parking spaces came in second. Not far behind in third place was the ease of entering and exiting the travel center property.
Drivers made it clear that they like space. The majority of respondents said they their preferred width of a travel center parking lot鈥檚 driving area for safety and maneuverability is three tractors wide, which was noted by 29% of drivers. Just over one-quarter said they prefer a space that is four tractors wide, and 20% said they want a space that is more than five tractors wide.
How a space is designed is also important, and drivers said they prefer pull-through angled parking followed by pull-through straight parking. Ranking third was angled parking 鈥� back-in with a driver side view. Parallel parking spaces ranked fourth while angled parking 鈥� back- in passenger side view ranked last.
The survey, which was conducted in March and April, garnered hundreds of responses from owner operators, leased owner operators and company drivers. To view the full study, 黑料社区members should visit member resources here.
Tips to Address Drivers鈥� Priorities and Enhance Safety
A well-organized, well-lit parking lot layout can significantly reduce the risk of incidents, improve overall safety and make drivers feel at ease. There are several ways to improve safety in the parking lot. Here are 10 tips to cultivate a culture of safety.
Invest in Lighting: Proper lighting is one of the most effective ways to enhance safety and help drivers navigate the lot more easily. LED lights, which are energy-efficient and provide excellent illumination, are a good choice for canopies at the fuel island. Also ensure all areas of the parking lot, including corners and walkways, are well lit.
Create a Parking Lot Perimeter: Building a secure perimeter fence around the parking lot can help you control access. You can also establish clear entry and exit points, using gates, barriers or bollards to control access.
Adequate Space for Maneuvering: Ensure there is ample space for trucks to turn, back up and park safely. Wide lanes and large turning radii are crucial for reducing accidents and congestion. As noted in the survey, the majority of respondents said they their preferred width of a travel center parking lot鈥檚 driving area is three tractors wide. You can also design safe walkways and crossings for pedestrians, with clear signage and barriers to separate foot traffic from vehicle lanes.
Adequate Parking Space Sizes: The 黑料社区Foundation鈥檚 Travel Center and Truck Stop New Build Toolkit provides guidelines for heavy-duty, Class 8 vehicle parking. Lane widths need to be large enough to accommodate the larger equipment. Some industry standards include:
- Parking space length: 80 feet long
- Parking space width: 11 feet
- Outside turning radii: 72 feet
- Vertical clearance: 14 feet
- Backing and maneuvering area: 70 feet
黑料社区has also written about accessibility requirements for Class 8 tractor parking spaces.
Create Separate Parking Areas for Different Vehicles: Have distinct parking zones for trucks, RVs, buses, and passenger vehicles to minimize traffic conflicts and enhance safety.
Clear Signage: Designate specific areas for trucks, RVs, and smaller vehicles to prevent congestion and ensure that vehicles of different sizes have appropriate space. Clearly mark loading zones, parking spots and pedestrian walkways with bright paint and reflective tape to guide drivers and avoid confusion.
Maintain the Parking Lot Regularly: A clean, well-maintained parking can enhance safety as well as the overall atmosphere. Regularly inspect and repair potholes, cracks and other hazards that could damage vehicles or cause accidents. Keep the area free of trash or other debris. 黑料社区has created an operational checklist to help ensure managers and staff can easily determine which crucial tasks to address.
Enhance Visibility and Line of Sight: Obstructions such as overgrown vegetation, poorly placed signage, or large objects can block drivers’ lines of sight, leading to accidents and providing hiding spots for criminals. Regularly maintain the parking lot to keep sightlines clear by trimming bushes, removing debris, and keeping signage unobtrusive but visible. Creating clear lines of sight also helps drivers feel more secure when parking, walking, or resting.
Offer Security Patrols: Hiring security personnel to patrol the parking lot can significantly enhance safety. Uniformed security guards act as a visible deterrent to crime, provide assistance to drivers, and can respond quickly to incidents. Patrols can be conducted on foot, by bike, or in vehicles, depending on the size and layout of the parking lot.
Prepare Employees: Train employees to be responsive to potential security issues, such as suspicious activity, and empower them to take action when necessary. The 黑料社区Foundation has created several training resources for truck stop employees, including how to help people in need of assistance.
// This article was created for Stop Watch magazine, the magazine of the 黑料社区Foundation. Foundation is the research, education and public outreach subsidiary of NATSO, Inc. The 黑料社区Foundation provides programs and products to strengthen travel plazas鈥� ability to meet the traveling public鈥檚 needs through improved operational performance and business planning. Visit www.natsofoundation.org for more information.
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