Delaware officials have installed electronic parking spaces for truckers at the Smyrna Rest Stop. (Photo: WBOC)SMYRNA, Del.- When truckers drive into the Smyrna Rest Area they will now have a chance to help the environment. Delaware officials have installed electronic parking spaces for truckers.
State officials said the electronic spaces will allow truckers to shut off their engines. The high-tech parking spaces provide heat, air conditioning, Internet access and even cable TV to truckers.
Drivers buy a window adapter from a vending machine at the rest area. Drivers then pay $2.50 an hour to access heat, TV and Internet access right through their truck window.
Truckers like John Powers said the spaces will allow him to rest easier with his engines off.
"Sometimes the vibration of the truck doesn't feel right and you constantly adjusting the heat and A/C. With this, quieter way, it will give you better rest during the night," Powers said.
Most truckers must idle their trucks while they rest to keep warm or cool. Big rigs can use one gallon of diesel per hour. And after 10 hours of rest in the back of his truck, Powers said the costs can add up, especially with diesel costing more than $4 a gallon.
"It's a significant cost, about $45. You pay $20 for this and you save 25 bucks," he said.
And the new spaces will not just save truckers money. With engines turned off, less pollution will be emitted into the air. State officials said the electronic spaced were paid for with money from the federal stimulus program.
