Industry Viewpoint: A Foundation for the Future of Logistics
TAPA EMEA has been calling on booking platforms to use their influence to encourage more parking places across Europe, the Middle East & Africa to join the Association’s secure parking database, either through independent certification or a self-cert security declaration.
At SNAP, we’re fully onboard with this objective and are proud to actively promote TAPA EMEA’s Parking Security Requirements (PSR) across our European network.
As part of this commitment, last month, we were able to encourage another 44 parking places to join TAPA EMEA’s secure parking programme – and that means even more secure parking options for the Association’s member companies across Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, and Spain. And, as TAPA EMEA itself frequently promises, more will come.
As a trusted technology partner of the transport and logistics industry, SNAP powers smarter, safer, and more efficient journeys for transport professionals across Europe. Every 12 seconds, a truck driver uses SNAP to transact, from paying for secure parking to fuelling, washing, or toll access. That adds up to millions of interactions annually, connecting over 200,000 drivers with a network of 800+ trusted service partners across 17 European countries.
Secure parking is essential infrastructure for the transport and logistics industry. That’s why SNAP has spent the past eight years working with TAPA EMEA to align parking facilities with recognised security standards across Europe.
Predictable parking
Our customers are clear in their expectations. Through surveys, events, account feedback, and email campaigns, drivers and fleet managers have made it clear they want safer, more predictable parking that supports the whole supply chain journey. We focus on unifying TAPA’s FSR, TSR, and PSR accreditations to meet that demand. This ensures that the facilities our customers use meet the highest possible standards for security, process, and welfare.
And, there is great potential to do more. Currently, 50 of the 800 service partner locations in the SNAP network are listed in the PSR database within the TAPA EMEA Intelligence System (TIS).
These range from entry-level pre-parking declarations to PSR Level 3 audited sites in key strategic locations.
Achieving these standards – or, indeed, any industry standards – is not a quick process. It takes months of conversation, onsite visits, and technical support. But the results speak for themselves. Secure parking adds real value to the industry. Our partners are often stretched, so fitting TAPA EMEA’s requirements into their schedules is a challenge. But once the process begins, the long-term benefits become clear.
This is only the beginning. SNAP is committed to expanding secure parking across Europe. Starting the right conversations is key. When site operators understand what TAPA EMEA offers, they see how it improves their operations, staff safety, and site reputation. We support every step of the journey. From advising on access control to installing security systems, we help partners meet the PSR Standard’s requirements in a realistic and manageable way.
We also assist with funding applications. Whether it is from the Department for Transport in the UK or CEF grants in Europe, we help site operators unlock investment for updates and expansion.
With 9,000 fleet customers, we see apparent demand for parking sites that meet a recognisable standard. Security accreditation provides more than peace of mind. It builds trust, drives bookings, and allows parking operators to stand out in a growing market.
Crime prevention & driver welfare
Crime prevention and driver welfare are not optional extras. They are fundamental to the future of freight and logistics. Many truck parking locations have improved steadily, but formal recognition through PSR is still a step up. Lean operations can struggle to find the time for new processes. That is where SNAP comes in. We audit sites, assess gaps, and provide tailored advice on how to meet the required standards.
TAPA PSR Level 3 is not just about infrastructure. It is about changing how a site operates, trains its staff, and prioritises safety.
The European Commission’s Safe and Secure Truck Parking Areas (SSTPA) Standard is another significant step forward in boosting the development of secure parking sites in Europe. It recognises the importance of secure parking and links it directly to available funding. This initiative has helped push development along key transport corridors, border zones, and industrial areas. We hope this momentum continues at local and national levels with planning authorities.
I was greatly encouraged to listen to the presentation at TAPA EMEA’s Annual Conference in Düsseldorf last month by Filip-Alexandru Negreanu-Arborreanu, Deputy Head of Unit – Road Transport at the European Commission. This also emphasises that raising the security standards at parking sites is not a competition. TAPA EMEA and the European Commission are clearly aligned in their commitment to improve safety and security for drivers working across Europe and, in doing so, protecting vehicle assets and cargo. This is precisely what we want, and need, to see more of.
Planning for growth
There is no shortage of data on the lack of secure truck parking in Europe. The problem is very real, but part of the solution lies with the fleets themselves. 18 years ago, SNAP launched a depot parking scheme. It allows fleets to offer unused yard space as bookable parking, giving drivers access to more safe, secure locations. This scheme continues today and aligns with TAPA’s PSR and FSR Standards.
When demand exceeds supply in a region, we contact fleet customers and ask if they can host a few spaces for SNAP drivers. This helps in several ways. It adds supply where it is most needed, puts underused depot space to work, and gives drivers the confidence of a guaranteed parking space for the night.
In terms of creating more parking places, the challenge is not just about finding land but also gaining planning consent. In my eight years at SNAP, I have seen strong applications for new truck parking facilities blocked at the last stage. This discourages investors and adds years to the delivery of urgently needed infrastructure.
Some countries have a more pressing need than others. France, Germany, and Belgium all have large amounts of free roadside parking, but much of it is unsecured and prone to crime. We are actively working in these countries to fill the gap in secure parking options through our depot scheme while new purpose-built sites develop – and we have made significant progress. Annually, our depot parking scheme enables over one million secure, pre-bookable parking sessions. That is a real impact for drivers who need peace of mind on the road.
Driver safety – first and foremost
Driver safety must always come first. That principle runs through everything we do at SNAP and our parent company, DCC plc. A safe, well-rested driver is better for road safety, their company, and the industry. And, of course, this increased level of security also extends to the load being transported. It starts with choosing secure trailers and continues through to selecting the right parking facility.
TAPA EMEA’s PSR Standard gives fleets and operators a shared language to understand a site’s offerings. But the driver’s role should never be to act as a security guard. Their job is to drive safely, stay alert, and report anything suspicious.
Closing the supply vs. demand gap
Closing the gap between supply and demand will take years. Consistent action is the only way to make lasting progress. The public often forgets that over 80% of goods are moved by trucks. That journey depends on a network of safe, reliable places to stop.
We also need to make it easier for new drivers to join the industry and for site operators to build the next generation of truck parking locations. That is why our parent company has already invested in three major parking projects (one in the UK and two in France), converting land into high-quality parking facilities from the ground up. We are building an ecosystem that redefines what a truck stop looks like. The traditional model is evolving, and we are proud to be part of that change.
The power of partnership
Our progress in secure parking is largely down to the positive response of our service partners, especially those already investing in the TAPA EMEA PSR programme. We are very appreciative of their strong support.
We will continue to advance this conversation, expand secure parking across Europe, and work closely with transport companies and site operators to create a safer, stronger network. Safe parking isn’t a luxury; it’s a foundation for the future of logistics. At SNAP, alongside TAPA EMEA, we’re ready to lead that transformation, one site at a time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nick Long is European Strategic Partnership & Development Manager at SNAP.
Visit www.snapacc.com. If you want to find out more about how SNAP can support your site or fleet, contact nick.long@snapaccount.co.uk.
