Atlanta Regional Truck Parking Study

In recent years, the shortages of truck parking have been identified by the Federal Highway Administration as an area of national concern. The parking shortages for trucks have a serious impact on the safety of the drivers, as well as on other motorists. With no parking available, truckers may resort to driving longer hours to find acceptable parking to rest or, alternatively, park in areas that are unsecured and unsafe.

The Atlanta metropolitan area is the epicenter of freight movement in the Southeast US, with the convergence of I-75, I-85, and I-20 within the region. Each of these interstate facilities is a major component of the freight network. Explosions in the rate of distribution center development, growth from freight shipments to and from ports in Georgia and adjacent states, and the growth of air cargo at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport all continue to significantly impact on freight movement within the region and the increasing need for adequate parking.

The purpose of this study was to identify the existing conditions for truck parking and determine the parking need for both trips through the region as well as inter-regional trips related to staging and warehouse/distribution center deliveries and pick-ups. With the establishment of the existing conditions, the identification of parking needs was undertaken. Building on best practices and state of the practice approaches, recommendations were developed to address parking shortages, informational needs, and policy recommendations. The study area was focused on the counties within the Atlanta Regional Commission Metropolitan Planning Organization boundary and incorporated other key adjacent counties.