TRUCKS AT REST

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS ON THE LENGTH AND FREQUENCY OF TRUCK STOPS, RESULTING FROM THE PITTSBURGH AREA TRANSPORTATION STUDIES 1958 TRUCK-TAXI SURVEY ARE REPORTED. THE DURATION OF STOPS IS GIVEN BY TRUCK TYPE /SIZE/, TRIP PURPOSE, OWNERS BUSINESS, DESTINATION LAND USE, DESTINATION RING /LOCATION IN STUDY AREA/, AND TIME OF DAY. THE TYPICAL TRUCK WAS FOUND TO BE IN MOTION LESS THAN 2 1/2 HOURS - 10 PERCENT OF THE DAY. THE AVERAGE TRUCK STOP DURING THE DAY TOOK ABOUT TWICE AS LONG AS THE AVERAGE TRUCK TRIP. THIS SUGGESTS THAT ALTHOUGH HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS WILL MATERIALLY AID THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY, CAREFUL ATTENTION MUST ALSO BE GIVEN TO DEVELOPING MODERN AND EFFICIENT LOADING AND UNLOADING FACILITIES, AND TO PARKING, MAINTENANCE, MANAGEMENT, VEHICLE DESIGN AND OTHER AT-REST FACILITIES. SHORTENING-UP OF TRUCK STOPS AND IMPROVED TRUCK PRODUCTIVITY COULD HAVE IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS SUCH AS REDUCED DEMAND FOR TRUCK TERMINALS AND PARKING FACILITIES. THE TABLES ALSO SHOW DATA FOR TAXIS.