AI to the rescue: Solving Germany’s truck parking crisis

Truck drivers in Germany face a daily struggle: finding parking spaces at highway rest stops. With limited spaces available, the search for parking often becomes a time-consuming and stressful task. However, artificial intelligence (AI) is set to change all of this, providing a much-needed solution to this ongoing problem.

In Germany, truck drivers are legally required to take regular rest breaks to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. However, finding a suitable parking space during these mandated breaks has become increasingly challenging. The shortage of parking spaces along Germany’s highways often forces drivers to spend precious time searching, increasing the risk of violating strict driving time laws. Such violations can result in heavy fines or, in severe cases, the suspension of their driving licence.

Due to overcrowding, many drivers resort to parking illegally — on the hard shoulder, in the entrances or exits of rest areas, or even in emergency lanes. These practices not only breach regulations, but also create hazardous situations that frequently result in rear-end collisions, sometimes with fatal consequences.

Transport companies are also severely affected by the shortage of truck parking. Overcrowded parking facilities along Germany’s motorway network are a significant logistical challenge, impacting route planning and scheduling. According to the German Road Haulage, Logistics, and Waste Disposal Association (Bundesverband Güterkraftverkehr, Logistik und Entsorgung, BGL e.V.), the country faces a shortfall of around 40,000 parking spaces. Worryingly, this number is expected to rise in the coming years, putting further strain on the trucking industry.

AI-driven parking solutions

Fortunately, innovative technological solutions are on the horizon. A team of researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI), is developing an AI-supported prediction tool designed to help truck drivers and transport companies find available parking spaces more efficiently.

This initiative, known as the Smart Optimised Lorry Parking (SOLP) project, aims to alleviate the parking crisis by providing real-time data on parking space availability at both public and private rest areas. The goal is to optimise the use of existing parking spaces, reduce the likelihood of illegal parking, and improve overall road safety. The project is being funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) as part of its mFUND innovation initiative.

Unlike previous solutions that treat routes as static sequences of roads and parking spots, the SOLP system uses AI to dynamically forecast parking space availability based on several interrelated factors, including traffic density, current parking occupancy, and driver rest schedules.

“The innovation lies in providing a recommendation regarding truck parking lot occupancy along the route, allowing drivers to head directly to the nearest available space, all while adhering to legal requirements,” explains Thomas Meiers, a scientist at Fraunhofer HHI in Berlin. His team is responsible for the AI modelling that powers this intelligent tool.

How SOLP works

The AI-based SOLP system provides a colour-coded display to help drivers easily identify available parking. Integrated into either an app or an onboard unit, the tool shows the occupancy status of parking lots along the driver’s route. A red signal indicates a fully occupied rest stop, yellow suggests a partially occupied or “tolerated” parking area, and green signals an available space. The system’s forecasts are updated every 15 minutes, providing predictions up to two hours ahead of time.

The AI is trained using data from several sources, including induction loops — sensors embedded in the road that count vehicles passing by — and telematics data, which gives real-time traffic information. This data is then combined with information on parking space occupancy to produce accurate predictions about available parking spots. The system analyses this data in real time, allowing drivers to quickly make informed decisions.

Pilot testing and nationwide rollout

Before the system is deployed across Germany, a pilot phase will involve selected truck drivers from various states testing the application in real-world conditions. The project partners aim to refine the tool based on user feedback, with the ultimate goal being to enhance the efficiency of parking lot use and reduce traffic congestion.

By providing a smart parking solution, the AI forecast tool is also expected to prevent accidents caused by improper parking at rest area entrances. For truck drivers, the tool will significantly ease the burden of finding a legal parking spot, reducing stress and ensuring compliance with break-time requirements. For logistics companies, the benefits include more reliable delivery planning, reduced fuel consumption, and lower operational costs.

Additional benefits and future prospects

Beyond immediate safety and efficiency gains, the introduction of AI-supported parking tools has several broader implications for the transport industry and society at large:

1. Environmental impact: More efficient parking reduces unnecessary driving and idling time, leading to lower fuel consumption and decreased CO₂ emissions. This aligns with Germany’s broader environmental goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.
2. Driver well-being: The stressful hunt for parking is a significant cause of fatigue and frustration among truck drivers. By simplifying the process, AI tools can contribute to better mental health and job satisfaction. This improvement could help address the current driver shortage by making the profession more appealing.
3. Enhanced traffic flow: The tool’s ability to optimise parking space utilisation also has the potential to improve traffic flow on motorways. With fewer vehicles parked illegally or obstructing traffic, there is less risk of congestion and accidents.
4. Economic efficiency: Reducing delays caused by parking shortages can lead to more efficient operations, cost savings, and better service delivery for transport and logistics companies. This can help companies remain competitive in an increasingly tight market.

A step towards smarter infrastructure

The implementation of AI-driven parking solutions represents a step towards smarter, more connected infrastructure. As Germany continues to develop its digital transport capabilities, integrating AI tools across the entire logistics chain could pave the way for further innovations, such as autonomous vehicles and smart freight management systems.

By embracing these technologies, Germany is not only addressing current challenges but also laying the groundwork for a more sustainable, efficient, and safer transport network for the future. Clearly, the AI revolution is just beginning – and its potential to transform the transport sector is immense.