About Those Hydrogen-Fueled Trucks
November 14, 2025The Search for Safe Parking
Progress on the Horizon
Drivers shouldn’t have to choose between safety and getting things delivered.
The American Transportation Research Institute’s latest industry survey digs into something we’ve known for years: truck parking isn’t just an inconvenience. It’s a critical safety issue. Among professional drivers, the lack of available parking ranks as the second-most pressing concern facing the industry today.
Think about what that means for the men and women we partner with to move freight. After navigating traffic, weather, and tight delivery windows, they face another challenge: finding a safe, legal place to rest. The pressure to keep moving when parking isn’t available doesn’t just violate Hours of Service regulations. It also compromises the very thing NATCO values most: driver safety and well-being.
The consequences: Drivers parking in unsafe locations because no alternatives exist. Delayed deliveries because drivers had to end their day early to secure parking. The stress that comes with not knowing where the next rest stop will be. These aren’t abstract problems. They affect real people doing essential work.
That said, there’s encouraging news on the horizon. Ohio, for example, recently announced plans to add 1,400 parking spaces, with Pennsylvania following suit with 1,200 new spots. The ATRI report shows that more than a third of industry stakeholders believe dedicated federal funding for freight-critical parking locations represents the best path forward. We’re watching these developments closely.
At NATCO, our commitment to clear, proactive communication extends beyond coordinating dispatch. It means helping drivers find routes with parking availability in mind. It means recognizing that rest isn’t a luxury — it’s a requirement. And it means never asking a driver to choose between meeting a deadline and their own safety.
Because at the end of the day, a truck parked safely isn’t just good compliance. It’s respect for the people who keep America’s supply chain moving.