The New York State Thruway is a toll road that crosses the state from east to west. The site that was chosen is the Ontario location near Le Roy, New York on the westbound side between Rochester and Buffalo. The Thruway is replacing service areas over the next few years to upgrade the food offerings and provide more charging stations. The existing service area has gas and diesel pumps, a convenience store and a restaurant along with one EV charging station. Many of the 27 service areas have Taste NY Farmers Markets that feature local products along with tourist information.

Design goals:

• Develop a new prototype station that makes it more comfortable for longer stays needed for EV charging as well as for truck drivers making rest stops.

• Plan for electric cars as well as long haul trucks.

• Create a better connection with nature with landscaping especially as drivers enter the stop.

• Design for regeneration with solar panels added to the roofs and canopies.

• Plan for additional rainwater detention and provide permeable paving. 

• Reconsider entire site planning to make the most of natural features and provide a walking trail.

This prototype could be applied to other thruway service areas across the state and applied to other toll road stops across the country, so it was designed as a new building rather than as an adaptive reuse of the existing structure. This type of highway stop is evolving its design as electric vehicles are accommodated. Unfortunately these changes are often limited to adding a few charging stations without improving places to wait while charging. The design adds landscaping with outdoor picnic areas along with a walking trail.