Intense competition over limited truck parking spaces.

Gridlock on German Highways: Truck Parking Woes Escalating into a 'Mini-War'? ACE Calls Out Overcrowding and Dangers

Struggling to find truck parking spaces? Auto club voicing concern over congestion - Intense competition over limited truck parking spaces.

Welcome to the battle for truck parking spots - a daily 'mini-war' starting from 4 PM, as per Dirk Engelhardt, board spokesman of the Federal Association of Goods Transport, Logistics and Disposal (BGL). Why? A shortage of over 19,500 truck parking spaces on and near German highways, resulting in massive overcrowding and dangerous traffic situations, especially during night hours with limited visibility.

The Auto Club Europa (ACE), a traffic club in Germany, conducted a control at rest areas from April 15 to June 3 to count how many trucks were parked at highways each day after 20:30. The results were eye-opening. For instance, on the southern Berlin Ring (A10) and the A24 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the situation was alarming due to incorrectly parked trucks, posing significant risks to traffic.

ACE: Overwhelming Overcrowding in Eastern Germany

Despite the snapshot nature of the ACE's truck count, it revealed extreme overcrowding at 31 inspected rest areas in eastern German states. A total of 2,168 parked trucks were counted, with only 1,412 spots available, resulting in a dangerous overcrowding of around 50 percent.

On 21 of the 31 inspected rest areas, concrete traffic dangers were found, especially during night hours. Trucks were frequent parking in entrances and exits, and sometimes parked on parking spaces intended for cars.

ACE reports: Rest Areas on A10 and A24 causing concern

The rest areas Fichtenplan Süd on the A10 - in the district of Dahme-Spreewald on the southern Berlin Ring - and Stolpe Nord on the A24 (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) stood out particularly due to several traffic dangers. The ACE initiated the sample count of parked trucks at rest areas in view of the "Day of Traffic Safety" on June 21. The count was done on Monday to Friday - without weekend standstill times of the trucks. The nationwide results will be presented on June 18.

The BGL criticizes that due to the lack of truck parking spots, drivers often don't have access to sanitary facilities. Vehicles parked at the entrances and exits of rest areas also endanger themselves and other road users.

Solution Suggestions: Creating More Spots and Simplifying Approval Procedures

The BGL suggests creating more spots not only on highways but also off-highways and calls for a simplification of approval procedures. When designating new industrial areas, truck parking spots should be mandatory, according to Engelhardt.

However, the situation might worsen in the coming years due to the necessary expansion of charging infrastructure for electric trucks. The association fears that three truck parking spots without a charging station will become two truck parking spots with a charging station.

With electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure expanding annually by 16.2%, companies like W&P are investing in charging parks, such as a facility with 56 DC rapid charging points powered by solar energy and battery storage[4]. Innovations like curbside EV charging units are also being tested, offering a solution for urban areas with limited space.

However, the strain on electricity grids and the need for more parking spaces will be significant challenges as the number of electric trucks increases. The need for parking and charging facilities will rise, potentially worsening the current parking space shortage. Innovations in charging technology and infrastructure design are crucial to mitigating these issues.

• Highway
• Car
• Traffic
• Rest Area
• ACE
• Goods Transport Logistics Disposal
• Overcrowding
• Germany
• Parking Spot
• Eastern Germany
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
• Dirk Engelhardt
• Berlin
• Auto Club Europa
• Electric Truck
• Charging Infrastructure
• Megawatt Charging System
• Innovative Charging Solutions
• Urban Area

1. The Auto Club Europa (ACE) identified extensive overcrowding at 31 rest areas in eastern German states, particularly in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and the southern Berlin Ring (A10), where incorrectly parked trucks posed significant risks during night hours.
2. Dirk Engelhardt, board spokesman of the Federal Association of Goods Transport, Logistics and Disposal (BGL), suggests creating not only more truck parking spots on highways but also off-highways, with a call for simplified approval procedures, and mandatory truck parking spots in new industrial areas.

Read also: