The Study was conducted by ESPORG, the European Secure Truck Parking Organisation, Panteia, and TIS for the European Commission to evaluate and assess the availability of SSPAs (Safe and Secure Parking Areas) and to identify measures and recommend strategies to address identified gaps and deficiencies, and increase the number and quality of rest facilities and safe and secure parking areas for professional drivers.

“”UETR as a member of the Advisory Board warmly welcomes the final study outcome, which provides valuable insights and a strong foundation for future progress in our sector, from efficiency to shortage of drivers and compliance with EU social legislation. A sincere thank you to ESPORG and DG MOVE for their dedication and support in making this possible.” said UETR Secretary General Marco Digioia.

Key takeaways:

-High demand exists across Europe for secure parking, especially in Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, and Spain, whilst a limited supply of adequate facilities and secure parking spaces remains still a significant issue.
-Market growth can be driven by affordable upgrades to existing parking areas, such as moving from bronze to silver comfort and security level, and by making quick improvements at smaller rest areas along motorways. Public funding, particularly for security features, can further accelerate this growth.
-Inclusivity in SSPAs is also critical to diversify driver workforce. Gender-sensitive measures, such as reserved spaces near facilities for female drivers and on-site availability, including at a distance, of security personnel, could further enhance security and comfort, in particular for female drivers.

This study also shows that:
-Demand for SSPAs will further increase by 2040. And whilst the currently existing SSPAs supply gap applies to all security levels, there is a need for both more secure parking areas, and also more parking areas in general.
-The supply gap exists throughout the European Union, although the scale varies by region and by Member State.
-Despite continued investments in upgrading existing facilities and developing new ones, the demand-supply gap is unlikely to be filled by 2040. However, incorporating the certification of currently non-certified parking areas with security elements could help narrow the gap. Many of these parking areas already include security features that may qualify them for bronze or silver certification with minimal additional effort.
-At present, there are insufficient overnight facilities in the vicinity of secure parking areas. Where overnight options do exist, they often do not meet the budget or needs of truck drivers.
-Existing data on transport-related crime and incidents are scarce. Better data is needed to correctly determine the required security level for a parking area.

Full report and annexes available here

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