Parking Lot Layouts

Parking Lot Layouts

Description
Description

Parking lots, open areas designated for vehicle parking, are crucial in urban planning, accommodating vehicles in commercial, residential, and public spaces. A well-designed layout maximizes the number of parking spaces while ensuring easy maneuverability and pedestrian safety. Common designs include angled, perpendicular, or parallel spaces, with considerations for handicapped parking and loading zones.

Efficient traffic flow, clear signage, and lighting are vital. Some designs might include landscaping or stormwater management features. Larger lots often have marked pedestrian paths and speed bumps for safety. As urban density increases, multi-story parking garages or underground parking become common solutions.

History
History

With the rise of the automobile in the early 20th century, open spaces and streets were initially used for parking. The need for organized parking became evident with increased car ownership, leading to the creation of dedicated parking lots. These early lots were often haphazard.

Post-WWII urbanization and the rise of shopping malls required efficient layouts to maximize space. This led to the standardization of parking space sizes and the adoption of angled and perpendicular designs. Today's designs emphasize efficiency, safety, and, increasingly, sustainability.

Future
Future

The landscape of parking lot layouts is expected to transform with evolving transportation trends. As electric vehicles become more prevalent, charging stations will be a standard feature in parking lots. With the advancement of autonomous vehicles, parking spaces could become smaller, reducing the overall space requirement. Smart parking solutions, like sensors and apps indicating available spots, will streamline the parking process.

Multi-purpose designs are likely to emerge, where parking lots serve as community spaces or green areas when not in use. Solar panel canopies may become common, providing shade and generating renewable energy. These changes will reflect a shift towards more efficient, environmentally friendly, and technologically integrated parking solutions.

Common Questions
Common Questions
What are the factors to consider in a parking lot layout?

The factors to consider in a parking lot layout include: parking lot size, pavement, parking space angles in consideration to level of vehicle turnover, accessibility requirements (ex. ramps), lighting design, landscaping, drainage, and overall traffic flow including that of pedestrians.

How do you design parking lots for buses and trucks?

Space efficiency (size and angle) is a primary concern for the design of parking lots for buses and trucks. Pavement thickness should be a focus when considering possible heavy loads from these vehicles. In an average parking lot, these heavier kinds of vehicles are typically designated to specific areas and will follow specific routes around the lot.

What is a parking management plan?

A parking management plan expresses the intended management of the use of parking on a certain property. These plans are typically in response to found specific parking and traffic issues. It often identifies developments or changes in policies, practices, and budgets for these implementations.

Layouts

* Under Development *

Parking Spaces

A Parking Space is a paved or unpaved space for parking in a busy street, parking lot, or parking garage. Vehicles in a parking space can either be in parallel parking, angled parking, or perpendicular parking. They are marked so that each vehicle fits into the designed marked area. Parking space can either be free or paid for.

Plan drawings with dimensions of standard Parking Spaces for European | Compact cars, Standard US cars, and Oversized cars
A Parking Space is a paved or unpaved space for parking in a busy street, parking lot, or parking garage. Vehicles in a parking space can either be in parallel parking, angled parking, or perpendicular parking. They are marked so that each vehicle fits into the designed marked area.

Plan drawings with dimensions of standard Parking Spaces for European | Compact cars, Standard US cars, and Oversized cars
Parking Spaces
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Drawings include:
Parking Spaces plan (European | Compact), plan (US Standard), plan (US Standard Large)

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90° Parking Spaces

The 90° Parking Space is also known as perpendicular parking. These spaces are at 90° in the direction of the road. The biggest disadvantage with 90° parking space is that executing it is tricky, and you may risk colliding with other vehicles if you don’t exercise a lot of caution.

Dimensioned drawing of US and European parking layouts with 90° stalls
The 90° Parking Space is also known as perpendicular parking. These spaces are at 90° in the direction of the road. The biggest disadvantage with 90° parking space is that executing it is tricky, and you may risk colliding with other vehicles if you don’t exercise a lot of caution.

Dimensioned drawing of US and European parking layouts with 90° stalls
90° Parking Spaces
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Drawings include:
90° Parking Spaces layout plan (US Standard), plan (European | Compact)

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30° Parking Spaces

When it comes to parking space designs that maximize space, the 30° Parking Space stands out among all others. Vehicles in 30° Parking Space are parked at 30° to the road alignment. Another advantage of this type of parking space is it offers better maneuverability and reduces delays caused to the track.

Pair of layout drawings for variations of 30° Parking Spaces with dimensions for US and European spaces
When it comes to parking space designs that maximize space, the 30° Parking Space stands out among all others. Vehicles in 30° Parking Space are parked at 30° to the road alignment. Another advantage of this type of parking space is it offers better maneuverability and reduces delays.

Pair of layout drawings for variations of 30° Parking Spaces with dimensions for US and European spaces
30° Parking Spaces
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Drawings include:
30° Parking Spaces layout plan (US Standard), plan (European | Compact)

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60° Parking Spaces

The 60° Parking Space is usually the middle ground between straight and 45° parking spaces. Its advantage is it takes up less space and enables cars to maneuver in and out with ease. Vehicles usually are at 60° in the direction of the road.

US and European sized parking layouts for 60° parking spaces drawn with dimensions
The 60° Parking Space is usually the middle ground between straight and 45° parking spaces. Its advantage is it takes up less space and enables cars to maneuver in and out with ease. Vehicles usually are at 60° in the direction of the road.

US and European sized parking layouts for 60° parking spaces drawn with dimensions
60° Parking Spaces
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Drawings include:
60° Parking Spaces layout plan (US Standard), plan (European | Compact)

Downloads

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3D Downloads

45° Parking Spaces

The 45° Parking Space can accommodate more vehicles compared to parallel parking and 30° parking. This is made possible by the increase in the angle of parking. The 45° Parking Space is also easily maneuverable as it does not require vehicles to make a sharp turn while parking.

Parking layouts for 45° parking spaces for standard US and European sizes and widths
The 45° Parking Space can accommodate more vehicles compared to parallel parking and 30° parking. This is made possible by the increase in the angle of parking. The 45° Parking Space is also easily maneuverable as it does not require vehicles to make a sharp turn while parking.

Parking layouts for 45° parking spaces for standard US and European sizes and widths
45° Parking Spaces
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Drawings include:
45° Parking Spaces layout plan (US Standard), plan (European | Compact)

Downloads

2D Downloads

3D Downloads