Growing Urban Freight Traffic Exposing Major Gaps in City Parking Infrastructure

A new study found that the shortage of designated truck parking zones in cities is leading to illegal parking, higher traffic congestion, and increased safety risks for cyclists and pedestrians. Researchers say growing e-commerce deliveries are putting pressure on urban streets and are calling for expanded loading zones and better curbside management policies.

A new study by researchers from Oregon State University, the University of Washington, and Pennsylvania State University has found that the shortage of designated parking zones for delivery trucks is increasing illegal parking, traffic congestion, and safety risks in cities. Published in the journal Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, the study examined how commercial drivers behave while searching for parking in crowded urban environments and how poor curbside freight planning affects overall road safety.

E-Commerce Boom Increasing Pressure on City Streets

Researchers said the rapid growth of online shopping and urban delivery services has sharply increased competition for curbside space. Delivery vehicles are often forced to stop in bike lanes, travel lanes, sidewalks, or passenger car parking spaces because commercial vehicle loading zones (CVLZs) are either unavailable or already occupied. Previous studies cited in the paper found that in some cities, more than half of the vehicles parked in loading zones were private passenger cars rather than delivery trucks.

Driving Simulator Reveals Stress and Unsafe Behavior

To study truck driver behavior, researchers used Oregon State University's heavy vehicle driving simulator and recruited 33 commercial driver's license holders. Participants navigated 24 different urban parking scenarios involving two-lane and four-lane roads, bike lanes, passenger vehicle parking, and loading zones that were either available, occupied, or absent. Eye-tracking technology was also used to measure drivers' visual attention and stress levels while searching for parking.

The findings showed that parking shortages significantly changed driving behavior. Drivers slowed down when loading zones were available but increased speed when parking spaces were occupied or missing. Researchers found that occupied loading zones increased average driving speeds by more than 3.5 mph as drivers searched for alternatives under time pressure. Scientists said this behavior increases distraction and raises the risk of unsafe maneuvers in busy urban areas.

Illegal Parking Becoming Common Practice

Parking behavior analysis revealed widespread illegal parking across nearly all test scenarios. Researchers recorded 672 parking events and found that drivers frequently parked in bike lanes, travel lanes, and passenger car spaces when designated truck parking was unavailable. Around 60% of participants parked illegally regardless of street design, while only a small share continued driving around the block searching for legal parking.

Eye-tracking analysis also showed that drivers experienced the highest levels of frustration and cognitive workload when they located a loading zone only to find it occupied. Researchers measured significantly longer visual fixation durations during these moments, indicating increased stress and divided attention while navigating traffic.

Cyclists and Pedestrians Face Greater Risks

The study warned that illegal truck parking creates serious safety concerns for cyclists and pedestrians. Trucks parked in bike lanes often force cyclists into mixed traffic or onto sidewalks, increasing the possibility of crashes. Researchers also found that drivers' visibility becomes obstructed when loading zones are already occupied by other trucks, making parking maneuvers more dangerous. Some participants in the simulator study were involved in crashes while attempting to park, highlighting the risks associated with poor curbside planning.

Post-drive surveys further reinforced the findings. More than 80% of participants supported the creation of exclusive truck parking areas, while many drivers cited parking shortages and traffic disruption as major operational challenges during deliveries. Researchers said urban planning policies often prioritize passenger vehicles while overlooking the growing demands of freight transport systems.

Researchers Call for Better Curbside Management

The study recommends expanding commercial loading zones, introducing clearer curbside signage, scheduling dedicated delivery hours, and redesigning urban streets to better accommodate freight vehicles. Researchers also suggested buffered bike lanes and improved curbside management policies to reduce conflicts between delivery trucks, cyclists, and other road users.

Cities Urged to Prepare for Rising Delivery Demand

Researchers concluded that without major improvements in freight parking infrastructure and curbside management, illegal truck parking and urban traffic conflicts are likely to worsen as e-commerce and delivery demand continue to rise. They said better-designed loading zones could improve logistics efficiency, reduce congestion, and make city streets safer for all users.