NIMBY (Acronym for the phrase “Not In My Back Yard”), pejorative characterization of opposition by residents to a proposal for a new development because it is close to them, often with the connotation that such residents believe the developments are needed in society but should be further away. Projects likely to be opposed include but are not limited to industrial parks, landfills, waste treatment facilities, homeless shelters, prisons, military bases, sports stadiums, airports, seaports, factories, nuclear power plants and more.
The NIMBY person affects the trucking industry in many ways. The majority of the population doesn’t like to be inconvenienced by a truck. However, they like being able to go the store to select food, furniture, home improvements, equipment and just about anything that is brought to an establishment by a truck.
It’s important for those involved in our industry to improve our image in order to not continue the negative stereotype that our industry sometimes portrays. We can all improve by just paying attention and taking responsibility for each of our actions. Here is an example of a situation where the NIMBY’S had an effect on me. Years ago, in my neighborhood, there was a long and wide lane in which I parked my truck over the weekend. When I came in late on Friday nights, I was sure not to use the Jake breaks or create any loud or extra noise. I made sure to park at the end of the lane and shut the truck off as quickly as possible as to not waken anyone. On Saturday mornings, I would turn the truck around to face the direction in which I would pull out onto the road early Monday mornings. This practice was done in order to not disturb anyone in the neighborhood. I would also pick up any trash which might by close or nearby the truck. I had a good relationship with my neighbors and in six years had not one complaint.
One evening, when I arrived home, another truck was parked in my area. I later found out that this truck belonged to a “father” visiting his daughter who lived on another street in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, this man was “not” as concerned about our neighbors. His truck was parked further down the lane which was next to the houses. If that wasn’t’ bad enough, he left his truck idling all night along with his refrigerated trailer. This created quite a bit of noise for the occupants in those homes. That night, I ended up taking my truck and parking it at my customer’s establishment. My wife picked me up and we discussed how the neighbors are probably going to complain and that most likely I will now lose my convenient parking spot. That weekend, a neighbor called the police on this man’s truck and from then on a “NO PARKING” sign was erected where my truck was conveniently parked for six years.
This same scenario can play out at a truck stop/travel center. It’s our responsibility to minimize our impact to the nearby residents in that particular community. We need to be respectful when it comes to our loud trucks, Jake breaks, trash and driving mannerisms.
It’s important for our industry to do everything possible to go unnoticed by the NIMBY’S.