Parking A Truck In The Northeast

Brett, that sounds like a great idea. I was thinking how *you* were going to gather all that data and how impossibly long that would take. Instead of you doing it, you will have your "army' of drivers submitting the data. It would be a constant work in progress and finished in no time! I like the verified/unverified aspect of it. I think you could also make an obsolete feature in case a verified spot becomes unusable after verification. I'm all for this and you can count me in.

Brett- fantastic idea!

Maybe real time technology is not possible but:

Why not have a highlighted link for each location- a person taps on link and it zooms in to parking lot and you can see in real time if a space is available.

Maybe see in the dark technology is not possible but:

It would be helpful if info on parking lot had the total number of 73 ft spaces (53 ft trailer + 20 ft truck). Then if info had "10 spaces" and driver counted 9 trucks, then driver can make decision- " is it worth it to drive over there?"

How much time (ballpark estimate) would it take you to create this app?

A fishing hole and parking app in one. Call it Parking Hole. Hah!

That's pretty funny but I don't know if people would have any idea what it is from the name. But we would need a name and that's on the list of candidates. Now taking all suggestions.

I think you could also make an obsolete feature in case a verified spot becomes unusable after verification

Absolutely. That would be in there.

Why not have a highlighted link for each location- a person taps on link and it zooms in to parking lot and you can see in real time if a space is available.

Unfortunately you would need access to a camera in order to do that. Sure would be nice, wouldn't it?

It would be helpful if info on parking lot had the total number of spaces

Absolutely. Each location will have a little bit of information available. We could have:

- approximate number of spaces available when empty

- photos (optional)

- brief description of what it is. For example "parking area behind Marcy's Diner" or "empty lot next to an abandoned building" - just something so people know what they're looking for.

Also anyone would be able to add new information or suggest changes to existing information.

Don't forget, there are Walmart Parking Apps available for most smart phones

I can include any and all types of parking if we wanted to. I have a database of like 3,250 truck stops and you can get free databases that list any type of store chain (Walmart, Home Depot, etc), rest area, and whatever else you like.

How much time (ballpark estimate) would it take you to create this app?

I can have a basic version up and running in a few days to a week max.

So I was looking at Trucker Path and it seems like a pretty good app. I can replicate any features they have or any other you can imagine. So right now we need a name for it and I need to know what features we should include.

The first question is whether or not we should include all types of parking (truck stops, rest areas, weigh stations, Walmarts, etc) or should we just do unlisted parking areas? I can do it either way.

Then we need to figure out what features to include. I'm a big fan of keeping things simple.

- I like the "parking availability" and "parking availability history" features on Trucker Path. Should we include that?

Do you want a "directions" button that will show your route on the map?

There will be a comments section (trucker path calls it 'reviews') so anyone can enter anything they like about the place.

Should we include an option to upload a photo of the place?

I think if users could upload a photo it would help to know what they are getting into.

Gas Buddy has several features you are asking about - photo, directions, "real time" updates. With the "Secret Spot" parking info, map/directions and maybe a photo or two would come in handy.

There are several apps that list truck stops, roadside rests, even truck friendly Walmarts etc. But "wide spots in the road" truck friendly shippers and long-vacant lots would be great.

As a new driver I once drove about 15 minutes over HOS because I could not find a nearby truck stop (using Trucker Path!) to park for my 10 hours.

What do you guys think? Is this an idea we should explore? I think it would be immensely valuable.

Absolutely this would be valuable. The big hurdle would be what Armyman is talking about: Who will want to give up their sweet spots? With my trainer, we ended up in a town known as a giant truck stop around midnight. Both truck stops full, the McDonalds truck stop full. 100 yards away from all this was 10 spots no one knows about at a restaurant completely empty. Its nice to know this spot exists, and as a driver would I want to give it away? How about that "secret spot" in an unfriendly NM town with lots of shippers and a giant distribution Center? The closest well known spot to park is 15 miles away.

That would be the big hurdle, would people be willing to share those spots they rely on when they are in a jam.

Definitely let me know when you have this done if you decide to do it. id be more than happy to include a few places ive found

It is a good idea to have an app like that.

Here is the question though: Does anyone here know where the "rock and roll" parking lot is in New Jersey?

I do. Of course, you will want to know why I will not share the location. I don`t want my truck backed into... again. It is for this reason I think opening the door to the lesser known parking areas will cause problems. These lots usually require good backing skills and that seems to be lacking these days.

The big hurdle would be what Armyman is talking about: Who will want to give up their sweet spots?

Please. How many sweet spots does any one driver have? Two or three? Congratulations. I'm sure they'll write an article about you in newspapers from coast to coast. I live in a tiny town of only 3,000 people that easily has a dozen spots that won't be listed anywhere. There are literally tens of thousands of locations all over the country sitting nearly empty every night. You'll contribute your two or three and get hundreds or thousands in return. Simple math.

There are plenty of people capable of understanding the value of contributing to a community. Isn't that what this forum is? If anyone is hoarding their secrets it certainly isn't causing any concerns for the rest of us. Everyone gets the answers they come here looking for from kind, experienced drivers who enjoy contributing to the community.

If I had to do something about it there are plenty of ways to work around that sort of thing but I don't anticipate any problems with it.

I do. Of course, you will want to know why I will not share the location. I don't want my truck backed into... again. It is for this reason I think opening the door to the lesser known parking areas will cause problems. These lots usually require good backing skills and that seems to be lacking these days.

I don't see why undocumented parking would require better backing skills. Some will be tight, others will be wide open. And I think trucks back up as much today as they ever have so I don't think backing skills as a whole are diminishing over time.

Here's the thing Brett. I am starting to see the major truck stops fill up a lot more quickly than they used to in the past. Maybe it's because I'm regional now. A couple of years ago, I could find a spot while it was still daylight, except for maybe a few truck stops like the Pilot outside of Chicago ( Minooka), which ALWAYS looks like it's full, whenever I drive by on the interstate.

Why would I want to tell everyone to NOT park at say this truck stop here, but park at the McDonald's across the street from it.

I tell you what. I'll give one up, because I KNOW that there are other spots where I can park at, and maneuver my truck.

At exit 143, I-29, in Iowa, there are TWO truck stops, that are USUALLY full (Love's and Flying J). Across the street from Flying J, McDonald's has Truck Parking. Behind McDonald's is Sam's Club) Trucks park at the Sam's Club parking lot, AFTER Sam's Club closes. Down the street (east on Singing Hills Blvd.) there is a Walmart. Do NOT know if they allow truck parking, but maybe someone else knows.

Dave