Critics slam inadequate truck parking spaces, causing congestion on highways - Criticism Mounts Over Congested Parking Spaces on Motorways
Got stuck in traffic on the autobahn recently? It could be due to a lack of parking spaces for trucks, according to the Auto Club Europa (ACE). ACE carried out a check that revealed thousands of truck parking spaces are missing on Germany's motorways, posing a significant risk to traffic.
From April 15 to June 3, ACE counted the number of trucks parked on motorways each day after 20:30. The situation on the Southern Berlin Ring (A10) and A24 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was especially dangerous due to incorrectly parked trucks.
In Saxony, rest areas like the Rastanlage Oberlausitz Nord on the A4 near Bautzen and the Noethnitzgrund South and North rest areas on A17 near Dresden were worrisomely overcrowded. The former had an occupancy rate of 165%, while the latter had occupancy rates of more than 100 and 120%.
"The battle for parking spaces starts at 16, 17 o'clock," says Dirk Engelhardt, spokesman for the Federal Association of Goods Transport, Logistics and Disposal (BGL). The federal government aims to alleviate congestion, with an increasing number of parking spaces since 2018.
ACE's truck count offers a snapshot of the situation, revealing massive overcrowding at 31 checked rest areas in the eastern German states. A total of 2,168 parked trucks were counted, while only 1,412 parking spaces were available, resulting in an occupancy rate of around 50%.
On 21 of the 31 checked rest areas, specific traffic hazards, especially during night hours with limited visibility, were found. Trucks were frequently parked in entrance and exit lanes, and sometimes on parking areas intended for cars. However, no truck was ever parked on the hard shoulder of the motorway on any rest area.
The Federal Highway Research Institute survey in 2023 revealed a shortage of more than 19,500 regular truck parking spaces on motorways nationwide. The number of trucks parked overnight is more than 102,000, with parking options at only 82,490. The BGL considers the shortage to be greater, pointing to around 40,000 missing parking spaces. They demand that this issue becomes a top priority in the Ministry of Transport.
The Federal Ministry of Transport plans to add around 3,000 parking spaces since 2018. They are also considering compact parking solutions, telematics-based systems, mixed-use parking, and off-highway parking facilities ("autohofs") outside motorways to efficiently and affordably meet parking demands.
- Motorway
- Car
- Traffic
- Parking space
- ACE
- Germany
- Rest area
- Saxony
- Dresden
- Logistics
- Potsdam
- Auto Club Europa
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Upper Lusatia
- Bautzen
The German federal government is tackling the alarming shortage of truck parking spaces on motorways through investment and innovative solutions aimed at ensuring safe and reliable parking options for drivers.
Improving Infrastructure
- Massive Investment: The government has pledged €400 million over four years, with an annual allocation of €100 million, to create new truck parking spaces to address the current shortage of between 30,000 and 50,000 parking spaces.
- Balancing the Past and Future: Demand continues to outpace supply due to growing road transport needs. While 16,000 new parking spaces were made available between 2009 and 2018, the construction pace has slowed, requiring innovative solutions.
Promising Solutions
- Compact Parking and Telematics: Digital management systems and compact parking solutions (optimizing space usage) are being proposed to improve resource allocation.
- Mixed-Use and Off-Highway Parking: Options like allowing trucks to use passenger car parking areas during off-peak hours and developing off-motorway facilities ("autohofs") are under consideration.
- Priority on Planning: Experts and industry associations suggest a change in strategy to accelerate off-motorway parking construction, which is both cheaper and quicker.
Enhancing Safety and Efficiency
- Improved Safety: An increase in safe, designated truck parking spaces reduces accidents and traffic congestion by deterring drivers from parking in unsafe locations or on the side of the road.
- Boosting Efficiency: Better parking infrastructure and management systems minimize the time drivers spend searching for parking, thus decreasing fatigue and enhancing overall road safety.
| Solution/Approach | Description | Expected Benefit ||---------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|| Major government investment | €400 million over four years | Thousands of new parking spaces || Compact parking & telematics | Optimizing space and using digital management | Efficient resource allocation || Mixed-use and off-highway parking | Passenger car areas at night, new facilities off motorways | Faster, cheaper expansion || Strategic planning | Focus on off-motorway autohofs | Long-term demand fulfillment |
The government's approach combines immediate investment with innovative solutions, aiming to address the shortage and associated safety risks, ensuring a safer and more efficient driving experience for all road users.
- The German government's investment of €400 million over four years, including an annual allocation of €100 million, is aimed at creating new truck parking spaces to alleviate the current shortage estimated between 30,000 and 50,000 spaces.
- The government's strategies involve compact parking solutions, telematics, mixed-use parking, and off-highway parking facilities ("autohofs") outside motorways to optimize resource allocation, minimize time spent searching for parking, and boost overall road safety.
