The Colorado Truck Parking Information Management System (TPIMS) is projected to have a benefit-to-cost ratio of 7:1.

A Truck Parking Information Management system in Colorado will provide over-the-road truckers access to accurate, real-time, readily available information on parking and roadway conditions.

Date Posted
03/23/2018
Identifier
2018-B01256
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Colorado Truck Parking Information Management System: Fast Lane 2016

Summary Information

In Colorado, congestion, topography, and severe weather frequently combine to hinder the efficient movement of national and regional commercial freight traffic. CDOT is proposing to develop the Colorado Truck Parking Information Management System (TPIMS) to better address commercial vehicle parking needs throughout the state, including the delays truck drivers face hunting for parking for rest periods (everyday) and from queuing at chain-up areas (snow/ice conditions) across the state’s interstate highway network.



The Colorado TPIMS Project, expected to begin construction in early 2018, will be deployed across Colorado and will capture each of the three National Highway Freight Network corridors that traverse the state: Interstate 25 (I-25), Interstate 70 (I-70), and Interstate 76 (I-76). The Colorado TPIMS will monitor commercial and public parking availability along these routes, distribute real-time parking availability information to operators and dispatchers, and facilitate parking reservations, all through multiple technology applications.

The Colorado TPIMS is expected to improve freight delivery reliability and shipping time efficiency by reducing the costs and delays associated with truck drivers searching for available parking areas or winter chain up areas, or drivers deciding to find alternative routes or making early stops during road closures or severe weather.

Methodology

The Colorado TPIMS Project will not add or replace existing truck parking facilities; rather, it will deploy an innovative package of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology at existing facilities to optimize truck parking facility utilization and performance. The Colorado TPIMS will use a system of sensors and static cameras to monitor parking availability and allow the TMC to verify accuracy of occupancy information collected. The information collected will be sent to the TMC via CDOT’s cellular modems or the existing fiber backbone. The information will likely be disseminated to the drivers through Dynamic Message Signs on the roads as well as through mobile phones, in-cab tablets and laptops.

Expected Benefits
A Benefit-Cost Analysis performed projected that the proposed investment would return more than $7 in public benefits for every $1 invested. As depicted in the table below, economic benefits are expected in terms of savings in time, fuel, operating costs, truck crashes and emissions. Additional qualitative improvements in freight delivery reliability and shipping times are also expected to occur.
 

Long-term Outcome Benefits
Quality of Life Reduced truck parking in inappropriate locations (e.g., neighborhoods, entrance and exit ramps, shoulders of roadways), thereby reducing noise, exhaust emissions, and traffic in these sensitive areas.
Economic
Competitiveness
Travel Time Savings—$26 million (7% discount rate).
Vehicle Operating Cost Savings—$35 million (7% discount rate).
Benefit-cost ratio = 7.0 (7% discount rate), 7.8 (3% discount rate).
Net present value = $78.6 million (7% discount rate), $107.7 million (3% discount rate).
Improved freight delivery reliability and shipping times
Safety Assumed 10% reduction in fatigue-related truck accidents, which would avoid 190 crashes, 61 injuries, and 2 fatalities over 10-year life of project. Truck crash costs reduced by an average of $3.4 million per year; reduced hazard from trucks parking on shoulders and ramps.
State of Good Repair Maintenance and repair savings for shoulder areas or local streets that would otherwise be used for truck parking or in search of truck parking.
Environmental
Sustainability
Environmental benefits from reduced emissions
  • CO2 reduced by 13,000 to 14,000 metric tons per year ($700,000/yr)
  • VOC reduced by 3 to 4 metric tons per year ($7,000/yr)
  • NOx reduced by 65 to 72 metric tons per year ($500,000/yr)
  • PM reduced by about 1.5 metric tons per year ($600,000/yr)