Designing a parking lot isn’t as simple as many people think. There are lots of factors that can be overlooked from traffic flow to security. Below are just a few common blunders to avoid when designing a parking lot.
Selecting the wrong surface
There are many different surface solutions that you can choose when designing a parking lot. It’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of each one, so that you don’t pick a surface that you regret. For example, gravel can be a cheap option that offers good drainage, but it requires a lot of maintenance making it potentially not suitable for busy parking lots. Paying extra for a paving company to lay down asphalt or concrete could reduce maintenance and give you the option of adding bay markings.
Overlooking traffic flow
Poor traffic flow in a parking lot can lead to queues and vehicles struggling to get in and out of spaces. This may put people off from parking there or even lead to increased accidents. Considering solutions like a separate entrance and exit or one way roadways could help to maintain good traffic flow. If you’ve only got a smaller area to work with, be careful about how many bays you add and make sure roadways are wide enough to easily negotiate the parking lot. Clear signage is also key to helping traffic to flow in the right direction – this includes signposts and road markings.
Not adding accessible parking bays
Accessible parking bays are required in all parking lots by law. These are specially designated parking bays that offer an unobstructed route to a building’s entrance for those with disabilities. Such bays need to be a certain width with walkways between for wheelchairs to pass through. They should also be clearly signposted. Make sure that your parking lot has at least one accessible parking bay (larger parking lots will require more accessible parking bays).
Forgoing EV charge points
More people are owning electric vehicles and are specifically seeking out parking lots that have EV charge points. Failing to install EV charge points could put off electric vehicle owners from visiting your parking lot. Consider designating some EV parking bays with charge points. There are different types of EV charging stations that you can look into – including free meters and paid meters. Determine what is best for you and the patrons of your parking lot (offering free charging in an employee parking lot could be an additional workplace perk).
Making parking bays too small
In an attempt to add more bays, some parking lot owners will keep bays as compact as possible. However, this could prevent larger vehicles from being able to park in your parking lot, as well as potentially leading to more accidents. To accommodate most regular vehicles, bays should ideally be no less than 9 feet wide by 18 feet long. If coaches or lorries are likely to visit your parking lot, consider making room for some larger bays. If you only have a small space to work with, weigh up whether it’s better to have larger bays or more bays – there is no point cramming lots of small bays into a parking lot if most vehicles that use that parking lot are too large to park in them.
Providing no lighting
Are people likely to park their vehicle in your parking lot after dark? If so, adding some lighting to your parking lot could be a necessary safety and security feature. Even in parking lots that are only used during daylight hours, it’s worth considering how different weathers and seasonal changes may still lead to poor visibility during certain times of the year. In cases where people do visit your parking lot at night, adding lighting could be essential for making your parking lot more welcoming and for preventing crime.
Not installing security cameras
Security cameras can also help to prevent criminal activity within your parking lot, which can be important for encouraging everyday people to park there. While installing a camera is an extra cost, it’s generally a worthy investment, providing that you install it in the right location. There are surveillance companies that can install cameras for you and even monitor them for you. You can also consider adding ANPR cameras that can read license plates – such cameras can be used to trigger access barriers to permitted vehicles or can be used in conjunction with parking meters to ensure that everyone using your parking lot is paying parking fee.
