How Aparkado Helps Truck Drivers Navigate the Parking Lot Crisis in Europe Using HERE Products

Introduction

Shortage of Truck Parking spaces in Europe disrupts fleet operations, compromises driver safety, and violates EU rest-period regulations. The pace of infrastructure development is slow, which calls for optimization of the current one.

So how can a driver know if a parking lot is available nearby? And where can they find one—especially when traveling across unfamiliar EU countries?

The more experienced the truck drivers become, the more countries they visit, therefore understanding the local aspects of infrastructure and which solutions are available to support them. It is fair to mention that there are more than 40 countries in Europe and the languages Europeans speak differ regionally and on country level. Hypothethically, if a German truck drivers enter Poland and are looking for a parking space in Warsaw they would love to have a solution tailor made for them – an app in a language they can read and an app that shows real time parking.

LKW.APP: Aparkado’s Smart Parking Solution

The LKW.APP, developed by Aparkado UG, might just be the solution truck drivers across Europe have been waiting for. Available in 17 languages and covering 44 countries, it is one of the fastest-growing community apps in the logistics space—designed specifically for truckers navigating the continent’s infrastructure.

With over 50,000 recorded parking spaces, the app uses an intelligent occupancy model and real-time data to help drivers find safe, legal, and convenient parking spots. But what makes it truly stand out is its technical backbone—built on HERE Technologies.

After a brief chat with the Aparkado technical team, we learned several fascinating details about how the app works.

Technical Implementation and HERE Services

At the heart of LKW.APP’s functionality is the seamless integration of HERE Technologies’ location services. The app displays real-time parking lot occupancy on an interactive map, helping drivers make quick decisions on choosing the right parking spot. When a driver sets their remaining driving time, the app intelligently visualizes reachable and unreachable sections of the route—helping drivers comply with EU rest-period regulations and avoiding last-minute detours.

To deliver this experience, Aparkado has implemented several HERE services:

• HERE SDK for Flutter Enables cross-platform development with rich mapping and navigation features. It also supports the occupancy model, which is enhanced by historical geodata and real-time feedback loops, supporting Parking Guidance system.

• HERE Routing & Isoline Routing These services calculate reachable parking areas based on truck-specific constraints such as driving time, vehicle dimensions, and road regulations—ensuring that the suggested stops are both legal and practical.

• HERE Discover API Powers the app’s search functionality, allowing drivers to find places using natural language queries — a critical feature for multilingual support across Europe.

Beyond parking, the app also supports live shipment tracking, route planning, and community reviews, all localized to the driver’s language and region. This ensures that every trucker—regardless of where they are from or where they are headed—has access to reliable, personalized, and actionable information.

Features that directly address the everyday challenges truck drivers face across Europe, are the features Aparkado is the proudest of:

• Smart Driving-Time Awareness Drivers can find parking lots without exceeding their legally mandated driving time, helping them stay compliant with EU rest regulations and avoid fines or fatigue.

• Live Occupancy System Before even heading toward a parking lot, drivers can see whether it is low, medium, or fully occupied — saving precious time and reducing fuel costs.

• Parking for Every Need With over 30 customizable filters, users can find parking spots that match their exact preferences—whether it’s security level, amenities, or proximity to their route.

• Truck Profile Routing Drivers can create multiple truck profiles to avoid surprises like low bridges or restricted roads. The app then calculates the best route based on vehicle dimensions and cargo type.

• Satellite View for Decision-Making Satellite imagery is a crucial feature for truckers, helping them assess parking layouts and maneuverability before arrival.

• Localized Reviews and Community Feedback Reviews are shown in the user language, and the app supports community-driven updates through flexible feedback loops—ensuring that parking information stays fresh and relevant.

Overcoming Design Challenges

No app development journey is without obstacles. For Aparkado, the biggest challenge was designing a map experience that loads thousands of parking areas quickly without overwhelming the user. The team had to strike a delicate balance between clustering and visibility—ensuring that drivers always see enough options to feel confident they’ll find a suitable spot, but not so many that the interface becomes cluttered.

For truckers, speed and clarity are everything. They need to know—within seconds—that they’ll be able to stop safely, legally, and comfortably.

Aparkado is constantly iterating over ways to improve app speed, loading time and providing the best experience while at the same time expanding the parking lot databases. In short, helping truck drivers navigate the Parking Lot Crisis in Europe using HERE products and doing it in style!

To learn more about Aparkado, visit them here.