Doug Kerr
Well-known member
Carla and I have recently noticed in a large lot surrounding a gas station catering primarily to truckers an interesting installation, evidently nearing completion. Today I went by to see what it was.
It turns out to be a RigRest truck stop, which provides heating or cooling, AC power, and Internet access for truckers laying out, often overnight or even during the day as required to meet rest period regulations (or even pickup or delivery scheduling considerations). Here we see the main bay of 20 stations (there is a group of four more near the entrance).
Douglas A. Kerr, RigRest truck stop - Willow Park, Texas
Traditionally, long-haul truckers resting overnight in this climate, as well as in cold climates, have kept their truck engines idling to provide for heat or cooling. This is very costly, environmentally unsound, and is in fact today strictly restricted.
The RigRest stations provide a more effective solution to this need. For this one, it seems that the cost is $2.50 per hour.
Here we see one of the service units close-up:
Douglas A. Kerr: RigRest station
The signage here tells the story:
Douglas A. Kerr: RigRest station signage
"RigRest" is the name of the service. "AireDock" is the name of the system.
Here we see the window service unit, which the user places in the truck window opening, in its resting position on the shelf of the station.
Douglas A. Kerr: RigRest window service unit
The heated or cooled air, provided through a large flexible duct, discharges through this unit (and the temperature control is on it). Under the rectangular flap are two 120 VAC receptacles. Under the round black cap is an 8P8C Ethernet jack (often mis-called "RJ-45" - that's another story) for the Internet access.
All very clever.
Best regards,
Doug
It turns out to be a RigRest truck stop, which provides heating or cooling, AC power, and Internet access for truckers laying out, often overnight or even during the day as required to meet rest period regulations (or even pickup or delivery scheduling considerations). Here we see the main bay of 20 stations (there is a group of four more near the entrance).
Douglas A. Kerr, RigRest truck stop - Willow Park, Texas
full metadata
Traditionally, long-haul truckers resting overnight in this climate, as well as in cold climates, have kept their truck engines idling to provide for heat or cooling. This is very costly, environmentally unsound, and is in fact today strictly restricted.
The RigRest stations provide a more effective solution to this need. For this one, it seems that the cost is $2.50 per hour.
Here we see one of the service units close-up:
Douglas A. Kerr: RigRest station
full metadata
The signage here tells the story:
Douglas A. Kerr: RigRest station signage
full metadata
"RigRest" is the name of the service. "AireDock" is the name of the system.
Here we see the window service unit, which the user places in the truck window opening, in its resting position on the shelf of the station.
Douglas A. Kerr: RigRest window service unit
full metadata
The heated or cooled air, provided through a large flexible duct, discharges through this unit (and the temperature control is on it). Under the rectangular flap are two 120 VAC receptacles. Under the round black cap is an 8P8C Ethernet jack (often mis-called "RJ-45" - that's another story) for the Internet access.
All very clever.
Best regards,
Doug