A "commercial motor vehicle" is a motor vehicle that:
Federal rules provide that property-carrying drivers of commercial motor vehicles have 14 hours to drive a maximum of 11 hours after coming on duty, after which point federal law requires that they take 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers must take a 30-minute break when they have driven for a period of eight cumulative hours without at least a 30-minute interruption. Drivers are allowed to extend the 11-hour maximum driving limit and 14-hour driving window by up to two hours when they encounter adverse driving conditions.
Commercial vehicles may park up to an hour beyond federally mandated rest periods at highway rest areas in Washington.
Commercial motor vehicles that are used in commerce solely to transport property are authorized to park in areas designated by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) as chain-up and chain-off areas along United States (U.S.) Route 2 and Interstate 90 (I-90) between May 1 and November 1 for up to an hour beyond federally mandated rest periods when signage posted by the WSDOT authorizes their parking.
Beginning July 1, 2022, the WSDOT is required to post and maintain signage authorizing commercial motor vehicle parking in chain-up and chain-off areas that it determines:
The WSDOT must notify the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the transportation committees of the Legislature when it posts signage authorizing commercial motor vehicle parking in a chain-up or chain-off area.
The substitute bill authorizes parking in chain-up and chain-off areas along U.S. Route 2 and I-90 only. It sets the start date as July 1, 2022, when the requirement that the WSDOT post and maintain signage authorizing commercial motor vehicle parking takes effect, and it requires that the WSDOT determine safety concerns, other than sufficiency of space for parking, have been addressed prior to the WSDOT being required to maintain signage authorizing commercial motor vehicle parking.
The substitute bill also mandates that the WSDOT notify the WSP and the transportation committees of the Legislature when it posts signage authorizing commercial motor vehicle parking.
(In support) Truck drivers park in unauthorized areas on a regular basis because there is not enough truck parking. The lack of parking is inhumane. Truck drivers are forced to drive when they need sleep, and have no choice but to violate hours of service or parking regulations. In Washington, it can be extremely challenging to find parking. Truck drivers and other motorists are put at risk when a driver races against the clock to find parking to meet hours of service restrictions. Commercial drivers pay the largest share of fuel taxes, but get nothing in return when it comes to parking. The WSDOT can be a pioneer in this area.
Parking is needed to make sure drivers have an adequate amount of rest and can comply with state and federal restrictions on parking. Facilities are needed for extended breaks. Parking at chain-up and chain-off areas can help, but this will not be an ideal option for extended rest breaks due to safety concerns and the lack of facilities at these locations.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) There is a need to provide commercial motor vehicle parking and the intent of the bill is to address this. There would be costs associated with providing signage, barriers, illumination, trash collection, and restroom facilities. The WSDOT could create a makeshift rest area immediately adjacent to traffic, but there are concerns for safety when trucks are parked so close to travel lanes that go beyond the sufficiency of space for parking. The bill should be amended to address this.