Car Park design is a very important part of the planning and construction process. It can be a major factor in determining whether or not your project will be approved by local authorities. This article provides some basic information about car parking design and gives you ideas on how to approach this aspect of your project. The first thing that needs to be considered when designing a car park is the type of vehicle it is intended for.
There are many different ways of designing a car park but they all share certain characteristics.
- There should be enough space between each bay to allow vehicles to pass freely.
- Each bay should be large enough to accommodate a standard sized vehicle.
- Bays should be arranged so that cars enter from the side rather than from the front or rear.
- Access ramps should be provided at either end of the car park to enable disabled drivers to access their vehicles easily.
- Aisles should be wide enough to allow two wheelchairs to pass without touching.
- Access ramps should be provided at either end of the car park to enable disabled drivers to access their vehicles easily.
- If possible, bays should be located near an entrance/exit point.
- Wherever possible, bays should face outwards towards the road.
- All entrances and exits should be clearly marked.
- Parking spaces should be numbered and labelled with appropriate signage.
- Most importantly, the design should be aesthetically pleasing and easy to maintain.
Car Park Aesthetics
Aesthetics are very important in car park design because they influence customer satisfaction. Customers like looking at attractive designs. However, aesthetics are only one element of a successful car park design. The other elements include ease of access, safety, security, convenience and cost effectiveness.
Car Park Ease of Access
Ease of access refers to the way in which customers get into and out of the car park. Some car parks are difficult to reach and therefore inconvenient for customers. Others are too far away from the main roads making them inaccessible. Other factors such as uneven footpaths and narrow doorways make getting into and out of the building difficult.
Car Park Safety & Security
Safety is another key consideration. Many car parks lack adequate lighting and security measures. This can lead to accidents occurring during night time hours when visibility is reduced. It is essential that car parks are well lit and secure. Security is equally important. Car parks are often targets for vandalism and theft. Therefore it is necessary to provide security guards and CCTV cameras to deter these crimes.
Car Park Convenience
Convenience is yet another factor to consider. Ideally, customers want to be able to park their cars quickly and easily. For example, some people prefer parking on the left hand side of the road while others prefer right-hand drive. Also, some people may not have any difficulty walking up stairs whereas others find this difficult.
Car Park Cost-Effectiveness
Cost effectiveness is perhaps the most important aspect of car park design. In order to reduce costs, designers try to minimise the amount of land required to build the car park. Cost effective designs use less materials and labour.
Designing a good car park involves careful planning and detailed analysis. It requires experience and expertise. Unfortunately, many designers do not possess sufficient knowledge about how to design a good car park. They tend to rely on past experiences or general guidelines. These are usually based on what has worked in the past. However, there is no guarantee that what worked in the past will work again
Car Park Guidelines: Frequently Asked Questions
How many parking spaces do I need?
Number of car park space required for a typical building is determined by the number of people who will be working/visiting there. The area occupied by cars should be as small as possible to reduce the total cost of parking and also to make it easier for drivers to find their way around the building.
How do you design a parking building?
The first thing to consider is the size of your lot. If it’s small, then you can build a smaller structure that will fit in well and won’t take up too much space. But if you have a large lot, then you need to think about how big the building needs to be. You also want to make sure that there are enough spaces for cars to park.
What are the 4 types of parking?
There are four different types of parking. They are:
- Parking at a meter
- Parking in a car parking lot
- Parking on the street
- Park and Ride service
The first three types of parking are free. The last type is usually paid by the hour or day. If you park in a car parking lot, it will often cost money to park there, especially in more densely populated areas. Some car parking lots charge more than others.
What makes a good parking lot?
The best parking lots are those that have the most convenient access to the building, provide enough space for all of your guests and has adequate lighting and security measures in place.
How much does it cost to build a parking lot?
The cost of building a parking lot varies widely depending on the type and size of the lot. The most common types are surface lots, which are paved with asphalt or concrete; drive-throughs, which have a driveway that allows cars to enter from one side of the lot and exit through another; and multi-level car parks, where there is an entrance for each level.
