Trucker Path says its crowd-sourced driver reports on available parking are the best way currently around data limitations. (Photo courtesy of Trucker Path). Some truck stops may have good, updated data on available parking, but other locations like state-run rest stops may not, Myers tells American Trucker, which is why he says Trucker Path's crowd-sourcing is a good gauge.
But should a location have accurate information on parking, perhaps using a system like some airports now do that can indicate exactly which spaces are filled and which are open, "it would be easy to send the information to Trucker Path and allow us to provide the information to our driver community," Myers points out. Rest stops — which he notes may be unmanned at night, when truck parking is most scarce — could present a bigger challenge in terms of providing such "real-time" information.
Myers says the updated crowd-sourced reports and trending are "probably the best and most effective way to get the information to the community" at this point. Another way around data limitations is that when Trucker Path users report on parking availability at a given location, the info is compiled and logged historically to show trends indicating when spaces are available there. As more data may become available, the Trucker Path app will look to add it to the mix.
"We feel our mission is to help the over-the-road trucker by making his/her life as easy as possible," Myers contends. "We currently receive 15,000 weigh station status updates and 13,000 truck stop parking availability updates daily."
