The Mobility Council of Flanders (MORA) recently took a very clear position on the shortage of parking spaces for trucks in Flanders. According to the organization, this problem is not only harmful to the quality of life of professional drivers, but it also undermines it the efficiency and reputation of Flanders as a top logistics region.
Due to the growth of road transport and stricter compliance with rest times for drivers, the need for parking spaces has increased explosively in recent years. According to MORA, the need is around 11,000 places in Flanders, while there are only approximately 3,700 truck parking spaces available. This shortage results in trucks parking on emergency lanes, entrance and exit ramps or in residential areas, with risks to safety and quality of life.
“The problem remains structurally unresolved due to the fragmentation of powers, the passing of responsibility and the diversity of parking needs, each requiring its own approach. No one is taking the director’s role today. We therefore ask that the Flemish government take the lead and treat the file as a priority. Not by doing everything yourself, but by coordinating, assigning responsibilities and freeing up resources. Truck parking should no longer be a peripheral problem, but should become a full-fledged part of infrastructure and mobility policy“, says MORA.
In concrete terms, MORA proposes that Flanders make agreements with each transport region about numbers, locations and types of parking spaces. This can be coordinated by the existing consultation platform, established within the Department of Mobility and Public Works. This platform is a must also prepare the realization of additional parking capacity. Where that extra additional capacity can be achieved remains an open question, but MORA proposes a number of ‘quick wins’: “Let’s first optimize the available space. A redesign of existing car parks, combined with the use of digital tools and telematics to direct drivers to available spaces, can significantly increase efficiency. In addition, enforcement of driving and rest times must be intensified, including the ban on taking the normal weekly rest in the cab of the truck.
In the longer term, additional parking locations must be created, with the transport regions being instructed to create additional parking capacity at locations other than the highways. MORA also requests that parking standards for trucks be included in the permit policy for new companies, industrial developments and redevelopment of industrial estates.
Regarding the financing of this new infrastructure, the MORA is very clear: “Invest part of the proceeds from the kilometer charge in truck parking. This increases support in the sector and makes quick “visible solutions” possible.”
