According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, a 2013 study found that 83 percent of drivers frequently took longer than 30 minutes to find parking. That's why ODOT created the Truck Parking Information Management System.
The system will be launched along three major Ohio highways: I-70, I-75 and US-33. It'll provide real-time information about available parking spots at nine Ohio rest areas in Licking, Madison, Belmondt, Butler, Miami, Auglaize, Hancock, Wood and Union counties.
According to ODOT, it is estimated that the search for safe, convenient parking annually costs the country $4.4 billion and increases CO2 emissions by 3.3 million tons.
The multi-state system, funded by a $25 million federal transporation grant, should be fully operational next month and is. It includes Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Ohio received $5.3 million, which was the largest share of the grant. The state contributed $787,000 to the effort.
