Impacts of Truck Traffic and Parking on Small Rural Communities in California's Eastern Sierra 

Date and Time: 8/30/2022
Location: Aspen

Presenter: Dan Andersen, Senior Transportation Planning Manager, Cambridge Systematics

  

 

 

PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION

The eastern side of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountain range is lined with scenic tourist destinations and peaceful ranching communities. Connecting these small, rural towns and iconic sites to each other and to the outside world is US 395, which also serves as the most direct trucking route between major logistic centers in Southern California and Northwestern Nevada. There is growing concern with potential conflicts between trucks and the small communities they pass through.

The primary highways of interest to this study are also the main streets of many small communities lined with hotels, restaurants, shops, and pedestrians. Sometimes trucks can be seen as a nuisance when parked in undesignated locations or driving through busy tourist destinations. Conversely, passing through these many towns increases the travel time for truck drivers with delivery deadlines and required rest stops. In addition, high mountain passes, strong winds, two lane highways, a lack of truck parking, and other natural and man-made conditions can pose challenges to the efficient movement of freight through the corridor.

This study used a data-driven approach to identify current and future areas of concern impeding the efficient and safe movement of freight, or adversely impacting the quality of life for the residents and visitors of the corridor. For instance, 1500 trucks per day, projected to grow to 2,000 by the year 2040, travel on US 395 in the town of Bishop, population 3,800. Using LBS data from ATRI, the study estimates 100 trucks need parking every day, but there are no designated truck parking areas in town.

The study recommended innovative and cost effective approaches to address the lack of truck parking, the need to mitigate the perceived negative impacts of trucks traveling on main streets, and the need for additional truck climbing lanes.

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY

Dan Andersen is a senior project manager at Cambridge Systematics with 37 years of experience in transportation planning and public relations. He is a leader in truck parking analysis and is managing, or has managed, six statewide and three regional truck parking studies, and was a key contributor to a tenth study. In the past 6 years he also has managed State and MPO freight plans, microcorridor-level freight studies, and a statewide hazardous commodity flow study. His expertise also includes performance-based planning and prioritization; equity analysis; transit and shared mobility; active transportation; multi-state corridors and coalitions; and other long-range planning efforts. He has a master’s degree in Environmental Management and Policy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Brigham Young University.