# Presentation: 840967

## Talking Freight

- July 19, 2006
- Bill Mahorney, Office of Freight Management and Operations, Freight Operations and Technology Division

## Section 1305 SAFETEA-LU

- Truck Parking Facilities
- Grant Initiative

## Purpose

- Directs the Secretary to establish a pilot program to address the shortage of long-term parking for commercial motor vehicles on the National Highway System. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/hep10/nhs/
- Why? Numerous studies have shown that there are a deficiency of commercial vehicle parking spaces on certain corridors.

**Notes:**
The 8 hour period is consistent with the FMCSA’s rules in 49 CFR part 395, which allows a driver to accumulate the 10 hour rest period in two separate sleeper berth rest periods, so long as one is at least 8 hours in duration. We are trying to encourage States to establish longer duration parking along the NHS. Lack of parking leads to unsafe parking and/or fatigued drivers.  Other timeframes considered were 10 and 34 hours.

## What Kind of Projects are Eligible?

- Promoting the availability of parking through ITS technologies
- Construction of safety rest zones
- Constructing CMV parking adjacent to travel plaza and truck stops
- Opening existing facilities (scales, inspection facilities, etc) to CMV parking

**Notes:**
Needless to say, we believe that the best and most efficient use of the limited $$ is to NOT pour concrete, but to make the best use of spaces that are available—advance parking information, etc. Upstream communications re: (call in number, message signs: 11 spaces available at Exit 14)

## Eligible Projects (con’t)

- Making capital improvements to seasonal facilities for year round use
- Improving the geometric design of interchanges on the NHS to improve access
- Projects are not intended to compete with local businesses or commercial enterprises

## Congressional Priorities

- Demonstration of a severe parking shortage
- Consultation with affected State and local governments, community groups, private providers of CMV parking, and motorist and trucking organizations
- Demonstration of positive effects on safety, traffic congestion, air quality

**Notes:**
Documentation of all these factors must be provided—these are Congressional

## Funding

- $6.25 million for FYs 2006-2009
- $5.35 million for FY 2006 after recession
- Federal share of project can be between 80-100%, depending on project type

**Notes:**
Subject to Title 23 paragraphs 120 (b) and ( c).  100% funding is available for certain safety projects in ( c ), for “safety rest areas” where motor vehicle operators can park their vehicles and rest, where food, fuel, and lodging services are not available, and that are in an area that the Secretary determines has a shortage of parking. 

## Who is eligible?

- States, MPO’s and local governments
- All funding requests must come from, and be administered by, the State

**Notes:**
Funding is from the Federal-aid trust fund, with all applicable regulations, so the State must submit the request and administer the program. MPOs and Local govs should partner with States.  (Federal Aid-Project)

## Review/Selection Process

- FHWA will review proposals based on grant application scoring criteria (Division Offices will be first line of review)
- Selections will be made, all applicants will be notified in writing
- Funds distributed
- Repeat for 2007, 2008, 2009

**Notes:**
If FR is available, we can pass it out. 

## Timeframe/OMB Clearance

- A FR Notice will be published with application procedure
- Truck Parking Initiative is subject to Paperwork Reduction Act requirements
- FHWA published, on June 26, 2 FR notices requesting OMB clearance _[http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf96/402876_web.pdf](http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf96/402876_web.pdf)_
- http://dmses.dot.gov/docimages/pdf96/402877_web.pdf
- Emergency Clearance was requested by July 14