DOT Highlights Truck Parking, Tech in New Guidance for States

DOT Issues Updated Guidance on State Freight Plans

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has released updated guidance on Multimodal State Freight Plans and State Freight Advisory Committees. The document replaces guidance issued in January 2023. It reflects updates linked to the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

DOT stated that the document is guidance, not a regulation. Except for statutory requirements cited in the text, the contents do not carry the force of law. The agency also explained that the guidance will not serve as a separate basis for enforcement or penalties.

IIJA Changes State Freight Plans and Truck Parking Cycles

Federal law requires states receiving National Highway Freight Program (NHFP) funding to maintain a State Freight Plan. The IIJA revised several freight planning rules.

One major change involves the update schedule.

States must now update their freight plans at least every four years. The prior cycle was five years.

DOT explained that there is no statutory extension if a plan expires. If the four-year cycle lapses, the state may not obligate NHFP funds. Funding access resumes only after the plan is updated and found compliant.

DOT noted that all states currently meet the requirement.

Required Freight Plan Elements Include Truck Parking

Federal statute outlines the elements every State Freight Plan must address. These sections shape how states evaluate freight needs and set priorities.

Plans must include:

• Freight system trends, needs, and issues
• Freight policies and strategies
• Performance measures tied to investments
• Designated rural and urban freight corridors, when applicable
• Freight bottlenecks and mobility barriers
• Congestion and delay tied to freight traffic
• Innovative technologies and strategies
• Facilities with freight mobility issues
• Supply chain cargo flows by mode
• An inventory of commercial ports
• E-commerce impacts
• Military freight considerations
• Environmental and resilience strategies
• Consultation with a State Freight Advisory Committee, if applicable

Each plan must also include a Freight Investment Plan listing priority projects and funding strategies.

Freight Investment Plans and Truck Parking Funding Rules

DOT’s guidance stresses that Freight Investment Plans must be fiscally constrained.

Projects or project phases may only appear if funding for completion can reasonably be expected within the stated timeframe. A state may not obligate NHFP funds for a freight project unless that project appears in an active Freight Investment Plan.

Projects not listed are generally ineligible for NHFP funding. They also may not proceed under advance construction rules. States may amend Freight Investment Plans. Amendments require DOT review. However, they do not reset the four-year freight plan cycle.

DOT also encourages states to list freight projects beyond NHFP-funded work. This includes projects that may compete for discretionary grants.

Eight-Year Forecast Period Affects Freight and Truck Parking

State Freight Plans must now address an eight-year forecast period. This replaces the earlier five-year horizon.

DOT explained that the eight-year window meets statutory requirements. Still, the agency strongly recommends longer outlooks.

Longer forecasts help states plan for:

• Freight growth
• Technology changes
• Supply chain shifts
• Traffic pattern changes

DOT noted that short forecasts often focus only on present issues. Longer outlooks allow states to study future risks.

Truck Parking Assessments Remain Central

The guidance provides detailed direction on truck parking assessments.

States receiving NHFP funds must evaluate:

• The state’s ability, along with private providers, to supply truck parking
• Commercial motor vehicle traffic volumes
• Regions facing truck parking shortages
• Causes behind parking deficits

DOT connects truck parking capacity with safety and compliance.

Parking facilities help drivers comply with federal hours-of-service (HOS) rules. They also reduce unsafe roadside parking.

The guidance encourages states to:

• Inventory public and private truck parking supply
• Measure parking demand and use rates
• Review safety and security concerns
• Identify strategies to expand truck parking capacity

DOT references data sources such as Jason’s Law Truck Parking Survey findings.

Freight Bottlenecks and Truck Parking Constraints

State Freight Plans must inventory freight mobility issues.

Examples include:

• Highway bottlenecks
• Rail congestion points
• First- and last-mile access limits
• Recurrent congestion areas
• At-grade rail crossings
• Areas with limited truck parking

For state-owned or state-operated facilities, plans must describe how the state is addressing those issues.

DOT recommends data-driven solutions. These may include:

• Capacity upgrades
• Signal timing changes
• Ramp management
• Freight-focused ITS tools
• Grade separation projects

These decisions influence freight flow and travel time reliability.

Technology Strategies

States must describe how innovative technologies were considered.

DOT lists examples such as:

• Freight intelligent transportation systems (ITS)
• Electronic credentialing
• Automated permitting
• Smart roadside monitoring
• Truck parking information systems
• Traffic incident management tools

Truck parking technology plays a growing role. Real-time parking data systems can help drivers locate available spaces. These tools may also improve safety and efficiency.

DOT also noted trends in vehicle safety systems and automation pilots.

Environmental and Weather Risks Impact Freight and Truck Parking

State Freight Plans must include strategies aimed at reducing:

• Freight disruptions from extreme weather
• Local air pollution impacts
• Flooding and stormwater effects
• Wildlife habitat loss

DOT linked these factors to freight corridor reliability.

Severe weather and flooding can disrupt freight routes. These events can also affect access to truck parking facilities.

Plans must consider ways to improve resilience.

DOT Encourages Freight Advisory Committees

DOT strongly encourages states to establish State Freight Advisory Committees.

These committees are not mandatory. However, DOT views them as valuable planning tools.

Committees often include:

• Freight carriers
• Shippers
• Ports
• Railroads
• Logistics providers
• Workforce groups
• MPOs
• Local agencies

These groups advise states on freight priorities. Discussions may include bottlenecks, safety, and truck parking shortages.

Why This Guidance Matters for Truck Drivers

DOT’s updated guidance does not create new regulations. Still, it influences how states plan freight investments and access NHFP funds.

State Freight Plans shape decisions tied to:

• Freight corridor upgrades
• Bottleneck relief
• Truck parking expansion
• Safety-focused roadway design
• Freight technology deployment

Truck parking remains a critical topic.

Parking shortages affect HOS compliance, safety, and daily trip planning. State freight planning decisions can influence where truck parking capacity grows.

DOT’s guidance reinforces the link between freight planning, funding eligibility, and system performance across all freight modes.