MDOT spent approximately $100,000 to create an emergency truck parking portal to turn 6 Park and Ride lots into a safe haven to “ride out” winter storms instead of parking on highway ramps, shoulders, and in other unsafe locations

Using existing resources and a simple emergency truck parking portal, MDOT creates a safe haven for truckers during winter storms

Made Public Date
01/28/2014
Identifier
2013-SC00296
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Summary Information

During inclement weather, and especially during severe snowstorms, drivers of commercial trucks are often in need of emergency parking areas or a safe haven to "ride out" the storm. As a result, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) in cooperation with the Maryland Motor Truck Association (MMTA) and the I-95 Corridor Coalition developed and implemented a program for emergency truck parking throughout the state of Maryland. The program includes the use of six (6) Park and Ride lots statewide to be used during heavy snow events as a safe haven for truckers. The development of a mobile application and web-based mapping to communicate the locations of all public facilities open for truck parking during emergency and non-emergency operations was also included as part of the program.

During the deployment process, the identification of emergency lots and enhanced use of available communication tools were proactive ways to alleviate future truck parking capacity issues similar to that experienced by the state of Maryland during the 2010-2011 winter season. To ensure safety on the state’s highways, it was determined that reliable and constant communication with truck drivers is imperative to ensuring efficient highway operations and maintenance during weather events. To accomplish this goal, Maryland developed the policy and set the process in motion by partnering with the state trucking association, police agencies, and local traffic and highway agencies.

The timeline from concept to project execution was less than two months, and truck drivers in Maryland now have designated places to stop during snowstorms. The six (6) Park and Ride lots across the state were selected as emergency lots for truck drivers traveling through Maryland by MDOT, Maryland Motor Truck Association, and the I-95 Corridor Coalition.

The total cost of the emergency truck parking application was approximately $100,000.

System Components: As mentioned above, the initiative includes the use of carefully selected Park and Ride lots, and mobile and Geographic Information System mapping applications. More information is available via Internet websites, and the page displaying emergency parking options for trucks can be viewed by going to the State Highway Administration (SHA) website using the following URL http://sha.md.gov/pages/Emergencytruckparking.aspx?PageId=856 .

System Operations: The goal of the system is to help truckers going through Maryland make informed decisions during snowstorms. A new "mobile app" is available to inform truck drivers of the six (6) emergency lots, as well as other existing lots, to be used for commercial truck parking. Users can download this application to their phones, which will show a web-based map indicating the location of regular truck parking options and, on the same map, where emergency parking options are located. There are two (2) emergency lots in Montgomery County, one (1) in Harford County, one (1) in Baltimore County, one (1) in Frederick County, and one (1) in Prince George's County. The Park and Ride lots include facilities operated by the SHA and the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), which will be responsible for removing the snow on the lots. The parking options can also be viewed from an interactive map online or as a PDF document that can be downloaded and printed.

The full report, finalized in June 2012, assesses many strategies for Road Weather Management. These strategies improve safety, efficiency, and mobility. These findings along with the benefits and costs provide a valuable resource to those considering the implementation of Road Weather Management systems.

System Cost

Emergency truck parking application - $100,000