Eight-state truck parking information initiative nears full launch

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The eight Midwestern states participating in the Trucks Park Here initiative are expected to have their TPIMS’ fully operational by the end of the month.The eight Midwestern states participating in the Trucks Park Here initiative are expected to have their TPIMS’ fully operational by the end of the month.

All eight states participating in the Midwestern Trucks Park Here initiative are expected to fully launch their Truck Parking Information Management Systems (TPIMS) by the end of this month.

Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota and Kansas DOTs each announced earlier this month they have launched their versions of the truck parking space counting system, joining Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin in rolling out the program.

The states, part of the Mid America Association of State Transportation Officials (MAASTO), have been working on getting the systems up and running since they were awarded a $25 million grant in 2015.

Most of the eight states are using on-highway digital signs, as well as a technology-based approach to get the parking information to drivers via mobile app or website, while some are using one method or the other.

Public rest areas are the primary source of truck parking information that is being made available, but the states are still working to add parking information for private truck stops and other businesses.

Locations being tracked, by state, include:

Indiana: Indiana DOT will monitor 19 locations along I-65, I-69 and I-70. Ten of the sites Indiana will be monitoring are along I-65, while three are on I-69 and six are on I-70. Indiana’s data is not yet available online, but when it is, it will be available on various apps, as well as the state’s real-time traffic site.

Iowa: Iowa’s system will monitor available truck parking along I-80, as well as portions of I-380, I35, I-235 and I-29. The updated parking information can be found in certain routing and parking apps, and by the end of the month it will be available at 511ia.org.

Kansas: KDOT will monitor a total of 20 rest areas, 10 in each direction, along I-70 and I-135. The up-to-date information will be available online here, as well as with highway signs.

Kentucky: Kentucky is using dynamic road signs and an online website to show truck parking availability on I-65, I-71 and I-75. The information can be found online here.

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Michigan: MDOT monitors 20 rest areas along I-94, I-75, I-275 and U.S. Highway 23. A full list of sites and available parking information can be found here. Michigan has also placed signs along the interstates to indicate parking availability.

Minnesota: Parking information in Minnesota is currently available for six rest areas, including five along the I-94 corridor and one on I-35. Another location along I-94 in St. Croix will be operational in the spring. The state is using highway signs, as well as an online database, to disseminate the information.

Ohio: Nine rest areas in Ohio were given the dynamic highway sign treatment to alert truckers to available parking. These sites are located along I-70, I-75 and U.S. Highway 33. The information is also available online here.

Wisconsin: WDOT monitors 157 truck parking spaces at four eastbound rest areas along I-94. The information is currently available on highway signs, and it will soon be available at 511WI.gov.