Practically everyone knows what it’s like to try to find a parking space in a parking lot. What feels like a very minor problem can feel major when you are searching for a place to put your car in park at a busy shopping center, city, or office building. Parking lot designs should be able to limit this all-too-common frustration. These components of a parking lot are what any parking lot planner needs to consider.
Its Purpose
A parking lot design can vary based on its purpose. For example, a parking lot’s size will depend on what the expected maximum volume of guests will be. The traffic flow might differ based on the parking lot’s position to major roads and how long one expects guests to stay at the location.
Layout and Traffic Flow
Parking spaces themselves are often 9 feet wide and 18 feet long, although compact vehicle and truck spaces will naturally differ. A parking lot layout will include spaces for all expected kinds of visitors and will aim to create the most efficient use of space, which could mean straight or slanted parking spaces. Directional arrows and signage can be used to aid traffic flow.
ADA Compliance
All parking lots in the United States must be ADA compliant, meaning that people with disabilities must be able to have room to park close to a facility’s entrance at all times. These spaces will have the standard pavement markings indicating a handicapped spot. Crosswalks for pedestrians can also help vehicles and pedestrians flow well together.
Drainage Design
Drainage is a subtle but vital part of any parking lot design. The parking lot itself must be graded so that stormwater runoff flows toward designated drainage points, which could be a detention pond, a lawn, a stormwater drainage inlet, or all of the above. Permeable pavement may also be chosen to take stormwater runoff directly underground upon impact.
Lighting
Reliable Contracting is Anne Arundel County’s expert in parking lot paving and utility installation. With these components of a parking lot is security, which first and foremost comes in the form of parking lot lighting. Well-placed lighting makes exit and entry points clear and prevents criminals from operating under the cover of darkness.
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Reliable Contracting Company serves the following and surrounding counties and areas: Annapolis, Queen Anne’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Howard, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Talbot, and Washington D.C.