Clustering of truck terminals into transportation parks

This research investigated the factors which are considered when locating truck terminals. Members of both the motor freight and community planners were interviewed and surveyed to discover what factors were of most importance to each group. The importance of the proximity of a terminal to major highways and industries was recognized by both groups. Trucking firms were also concerned with the cost of land and building for a terminal, while community planners were concerned about the impact of terminals on residential areas. Based on the information derived from the surveys and literature review, a concept of clustering truck terminals into transportation parks was developed.

A transportation park was defined as a large area reserved for the exclusive use of motor freight terminals and closely related activities such as wholesale distributors and warehouses. The various advantages of a transportation park from the perspectives of truck terminal operators and community residents were discussed. It was recommended that an urban community act as a catalyst for the development of transportation parks. Guidelines for the development of these parks were presented and some of the difficulties of implementation were discussed.