A Wyoming Department of Transportation study found more truck parking is needed in the state.
According to the study, about 100 to 200 more parking spaces are needed on I-80 in the Rawlins and Laramie areas during peak hours.
In addition, more parking is needed between Wamsutter and Laramie; along I-90 from Gillette to the Montana border, and along U.S. 30 between Granger Junction and Opal.
The study looked at expanding highway rest areas to solve the problem, but instead recommended that private businesses be encouraged to address the parking need. The study found that about 65 percent of drivers prefer to park at commercial truckstops, rather than rest areas.
The study also noted that expanding rest areas would not do much good unless a prohibition against overnight parking is lifted.
The study is interesting because in the ongoing debate over the truck parking shortage, much of the attention has centered on the more heavily populated states in the Eastern part of the country.