Arizona's Truck Parking Availability System Now Up and Running

Arizona Expands Real-Time Truck Parking Information on I-10

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) has expanded its Truck Parking Availability System (TPAS). This system now gives truck drivers real-time updates on parking at key rest areas along Interstate 10. The updates can be found on the Arizona Traveler Information website, az511.gov, and on the AZ511 mobile app.

Drivers can use the website or app by enabling the rest area layer. This feature helps drivers plan their stops and avoid wasting time looking for safe parking. It also helps reduce the need to park in areas not meant for trucks.

More Ways to See Truck Parking Availability

The TPAS system monitors parking availability at four rest areas on I-10. These include the Ehrenberg and Bouse Wash rest areas in western Arizona. It also includes the Texas Canyon and San Simon rest areas in southeastern Arizona.

Sensors in these locations track how many parking spots are open. This information is then shared through several sources. These include electronic highway signs, az511.gov, and third-party apps that truck drivers already use.

This gives truckers an accurate look at parking options in real time. It helps them make better decisions about when and where to stop for rest.

Improving Safety and Supporting Drivers

ADOT launched this system in January 2024 as part of a larger goal to improve both safety and freight efficiency. The goal is to make it easier for truckers to find safe and legal places to park. Without this information, drivers often resort to parking on highway shoulders or exit ramps. This creates safety risks for both truckers and other drivers.

The TPAS program costs $2.8 million in Arizona. It is part of a broader $13.7 million initiative supported by the I-10 Corridor Coalition. This coalition includes Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas. These states are working together to make travel safer and more efficient across the I-10 corridor.

A grant of $6.85 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation helped fund the system. In total, the program gives real-time information on more than 550 parking spots across all four states.

Statewide Plan Includes Even More Truck Parking

ADOT is also looking at long-term solutions to expand parking. Its Statewide Truck Parking Implementation Plan outlines a proposal to create 842 new truck spaces across Arizona.

This includes expanded areas at current rest stops and the development of three brand-new truck parking lots. The plan has secured $32 million in funding to support this expansion.

Part of the funding will go toward adding 370 parking spaces. These will be located at the I-10 Burnt Wells Rest Area near Tonopah, the I-40 Meteor Crater Rest Area near Winslow, and a new lot at I-10 and State Route 186 west of Willcox.

Since 2019, ADOT has also nearly doubled truck parking at two rest areas. The Meteor Crater Rest Area on I-40 gained 56 additional spots. The Haviland Rest Area, also on I-40, gained 38.

Truckers Say Parking is Still Hard to Find

A survey conducted in 2020 by the I-10 Corridor Coalition highlighted the ongoing issue. In that survey, 78% of truck drivers said they spend more than 30 minutes looking for safe parking. The lack of designated space often forces drivers to stop in unsafe or unauthorized areas.

By giving drivers more accurate and accessible parking data, ADOT hopes to improve safety, support driver wellness, and make Arizona’s highways safer for everyone.

How to Access the Truck Parking System

Truck drivers can visit az511.gov or download the AZ511 app to see current parking conditions. To view rest area parking, enable the rest area layer in the settings.

For more details about the Truck Parking Availability System, visit azdot.gov/TPAS. To learn more about the I-10 Corridor Coalition, visit i10connects.com.