Safer Transport: our Secure Truck Parking network

TIP Group recently acquired its second Secure Truck Parking location in France and is expanding its presence along Europe’s TEN-T routes. In this article, Frederic Notte, VP Managing Director MED Region, explains why secure parking locations actually solve many of the transport industry’s most pressing challenges.

“Secure truck parking is an important development for a wide range of stakeholders. Having a comprehensive network is something the whole transport industry will benefit from,” says Frederic Notte, VP Managing Director MED Region. “TIP Group already operates two secure truck parking facilities in France, and we are looking to expand our presence along Europe’s TEN-T routes. We will do our part to ensure we achieve the necessary 400 locations.”

Secure truck parking facilities benefit the whole ecosystem

Frederic Notte considers the following challenges as key reasons why the transport industry would benefit tremendously from a comprehensive network of secure truck parking locations

• Driver recruitment and retention
  The ever-present driver shortage can be solved by facilitating a better and safe work environment that would see more people, and especially women, become truck divers.
• Limit cargo and diesel theft
  Other than the financial implications, the increase in cargo theft also results in additional down-time
• Avoid illegal truck parking
  The dangers and nuisance of illegal truck parking in industrial estates, villages, hard shoulders or at gas stations is a concern for (local) governments and residents alike and is caused by the lack of sufficient truck parking spaces along the major routes.
• Reduce insurance premiums
  The cost of insurance is rising as the downsides of having sufficient and safe truck parking space become more prominent.

“Developing a network of secure parking locations every 150 kilometres along Europe’s major transport routes will go a long way to solving the various challenges stakeholders are facing. And it will improve driver safety and well-being tremendously, which is something our customers as well as TIP Group are very much focused on. For transport companies, being able to attract and retain drivers is key. And if they can offer drivers a safe, comfortable environment for their overnight stay, that becomes an incredible competitive advantage.”

Challenges in achieving the required secure parking network

Frederic Notte identifies several challenges to achieving the necessary availability of secure truck and trailer parking. One major hurdle is the financial aspect; without subsidies, the high capital costs makes it difficult to establish a viable business case. Additionally, competition from government-funded free parking facilities complicates efforts to charge commercial rates. The market’s lack of transparency is another significant challenge, as selecting sites and making investments require careful consideration to avoid conflicts with future government initiatives. Frederic Notte emphasized that these factors collectively slow down the process of expanding secure parking solutions, but improved communication between market participants could help mitigate these challenges.

Driving sustainability and decarbonization

At TIP Group, efforts are focused on forming partnerships with location-owners and stakeholders to expand the Truck e-Hub network across Europe’s TEN-T corridors (including the UK). This initiative includes upgrading existing non-secure parking spaces and developing new ones. The network aims to support the transition to sustainable logistics by providing secure truck parking, fast and overnight charging solutions for electric trucks and e-reefers, and other zero-emission solutions. We are actively seeking new location partners. If interested, please contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.

“Decarbonizing the transport industry is critical for the coming years and will require adjustments by the transport companies. By being able to plan the required charging, either overnight or on-the-go, with the mandatory rest periods they can optimize the available drive time. This is already possible with the TIP Insight telematics solution but will be greatly enhanced by having secure parking facilities where this could even be combined with necessary maintenance.

TIP’s Secure Truck Parking facility in Dourges is the first secure parking facility in the world that is certified with the highest level of security, with both the TAPA PSR1 and the EU parking gold certifications. For more information, please visit https://www.tip-group.com/en/secure-truck-parking