TRKT

What do we sense that a lorry driver, after a long shift, by themselves in the cab, might be looking forward to at the next stop?

Assuming that stop isn’t their own home, a convenience stop.As workers who spend an extraordinary amount of time in their own company (even if they’re not self-employed and literally their own company), one thing that ought to be central to the service - the service of providing stop-overs - ought to be, should be, around offering this one thing at its heart.

What we’re asking is, could the experience of the transport services sectors ‘most important assets’ (as we keep hearing them called) be set out around that idea - of a place for a bite and a blether.

That, conviviality and humanity, front and centre.Not parking charges. Fuel cards. Food vouchers.Just (just!) simple human needs first.

Design the facility around this small gesture, say it so in the presentation of it. That sounds like an idea to build a better business around.

Around the drivers.‘TRKT’ is our concept and the planning - around a more driver-centric approach to facility design.

Back in 2024 I came up with the idea for tackling this project, based on having to navigate trucks parked on cycle paths, and wondering why they chose to park there.

Looking into the problem (Dept of Transport and industry reports, as well as talking to lorry drivers in motorway services. Interesting ways to get a conversation going was, er, interesting) revealed the facts - that every evening there were never enough secure, affordable or accessible stops for drivers.

While the governmenrt recognised this (and provided some development funding) as usual, it was expected that the private sector pick this up.

I came up with concept, help direct the design of a new style of facility, created a brand-vehicle and comms platform for it and then went and pitched it.

But after several positive meetings, it's parked.