WASHINGTON -- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is moving forward with a proposal to apply federal standards to existing truckstops and similar privately owned facilities off the Interstate system to qualify a facility as an Interstate Oasis, according to a report in Fleet Owner magazine.
The measure is designed to reduce the need for states to maintain revenue-losing rest areas while addressing truck parking shortages, said the report. Interstate Oasis sites would have to be easily accessible from the Interstate system, open 24/7, provide fuel, [image-nocss] oil, food, sanitary facilities and adequate parking for trucks with a maximum duration limit of no less than 10 hours.
Utah and Vermont have implemented programs for the designation of such off-Interstate facilities, FHWA said. Louisiana is in the process of rolling out such a program.
The American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO) has long advocated the privatization of rest areas to reduce state upkeep of such facilities while maintaining truck parking spots, said Fleet Owner; however, opposition from business interests off the Interstate system had derailed that approach.
The FHWA was directed by the August 10, 2005, Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), which authorizes the federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety and transit for the five-year period 2005-2009, to develop the Interstate Oasis Program as an alternative.
The National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) said it is in the process of reviewing the Federal Register and will be providing public comments soon. Once it has determined the best industry response, it will reach out to members and encourage them to offer feedback.
But NATSO said it supports the Interstate Oasis program because increased expenses for rest area rehabilitation and maintenance, which compete with critical highway and bridge projects, are forcing some states to close rest areas.
Vermont and Utah have taken a unique approach when faced with rest area closures by forming partnerships with interchange businesses to meet the needs of highway users. These businesses, which replace the need for rest areas in some cases, are called Interstate Oasis facilities.
Not only will this new program bring additional traffic to the truckstop and travel plaza industry, said NATSO, but it will also counter a longstanding argument by state highway departments that they need to commercialize rest areas.
A recent state transportation survey cited by NATSO estimated that replacing existing rest areas will cost $2.4 billion. With limited highway funds, Vermont and Utah turned to private sector businesses at the interchange to provide the services typically provided at a rest area. When these states were forced to close a rest area, they found a nearby interchange business willing to allow non-customers equal access to their facilities. The state in turn provided signs directing motorists to these businesses. This new federal program will prevent confusion for travelers and will ensure the highway service industry remains competitive.
NATSO also said it believes the Interstate Oasis Program must at a minimum:
Ensure uniform guidelines for Interstate Oasis facilities. National standards guarantee the highway traveler that oasis facilities from state to state will be able to meet their needs. Ensure full participation by all eligible businesses. Where this program is implemented, each and every business that meets the eligibility requirements should receive the oasis designation. Ensure that oasis facilities have the same look by developing a uniform name and logo for designation of these facilities in order to ensure highway users traveling from state to state can easily recognize these facilities. Ensure that oasis facilities have adequate truck parking to accommodate the rest needs of the long-haul truck driver.This program is a winning solution for all, said NATSO.
For those states choosing to close a rest area, this program offers a virtually no-cost approach for continuing to ensure that highway travelers have their needs met, the group said. The program is completely voluntarystates can elect to participate. Interchange businesses benefit because they will know what is required of them to receive the oasis designation. The program guarantees that all businesses will have an equal opportunity to receive such a designation. Highway users are guaranteed a safe, clean place to stop. The inconvenience of not having a rest area directly on the highway is offset by significantly increasing the number of designated stopping facilities.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is concerned there would be less truck parking spaces as a result of the program if states close rest areas. We are very concerned states will interpret this as an opportunity to close existing rest areas, Todd Spencer, OOIDA executive vice president told Fleet Owner, noting that there is no provision in the program that ensures more truck parking spaces would be available. We certainly dont want that to happen. While drivers generally prefer truckstops over rest areas, theres not enough parking to start closing rest areas. This might exacerbate a problem thats already epidemic around many urban areas.
Long-haul truck drivers are guaranteed continued access to truck parking, said NATSO. The Interstate Oasis program will also allow states to provide truck parking to long-haul drivers in areas where public parking for commercial trucks would otherwise not be available, it added.
The FHWA is seeking comments on its proposal, which was published in the Federal Register. It is requesting comments to establish minimum standards for such facilities to qualify as an Interstate Oasis, particularly on whether a minimum criteria that establishes a number of truck parking spaces should be established. Comments must be submitted by April 28 and may be filed electronically at http://dms.dot.gov/submit.
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