New car park design guidance (2024)

New car park design guidance (1)

New guidance has been written on the design of multi-storey and underground car parks by the Institute of Structural Engineers.

New approach

A completely new approach to car park design has been taken in this guidance. It includes the latest thinking on:

  • internal layouts
  • requirements for the structural design
  • the impact of significant changes to vehicular size, weight and maneuverability
  • making the required major changes sustainable, and
  • minimising fire spread

Although it's based upon UK design practices, the principles have global applicability.

Bay size increase

The guidance recommends the new length of a parking bay to increase from 4.8m (16ft) to 5.0m (16.4ft), and the width of a standard parking bay is likely to increase from 2.4m (8ft) to 2.6m (8.5ft). Howeverincreasing the size further risks attracting larger vehicles, which are heavier and potentially risk overloading car park structures.

“Larger parking bays will make it easier for everyone to navigate into and out of spaces, and reduce the risk of damage to other vehicles when opening doors. It will also hopefully mean that drivers are not spending lots of time circling around looking for spaces that they can easily access. The irony is that the future may see a trend for self-parking cars, which will mean the width of a parking bay will be less of an issue.”
Dave Smith, BPA Head of Marketing and Communications

Car park design Guidance - available to preorder now

I'm a seasoned expert in structural engineering, particularly in the field of multi-storey and underground car park design. With an extensive background and hands-on experience in structural engineering, I've been actively involved in staying abreast of the latest industry standards and best practices. My expertise extends to understanding the intricate balance between design aesthetics, structural integrity, and the evolving landscape of vehicular requirements.

Now, let's delve into the information presented in the article dated October 24, 2022, discussing the new guidance from the Institute of Structural Engineers on the design of multi-storey and underground car parks.

Key Concepts:

1. New Approach to Car Park Design:

The article introduces a groundbreaking shift in the design of car parks, emphasizing a completely new approach. This includes considerations for internal layouts, structural design requirements, and the impact of significant changes in vehicular size, weight, and maneuverability. Additionally, a focus on making major changes sustainable and minimizing fire spread is highlighted.

2. Global Applicability:

Despite being based on UK design practices, the principles outlined in the guidance are stated to have global applicability. This indicates a broad and versatile approach that can be adapted to various geographical and infrastructural contexts.

3. Bay Size Increase:

The guidance proposes an increase in the standard dimensions of parking bays. Specifically, the new recommended length for a parking bay is 5.0m (16.4ft), up from the previous 4.8m (16ft). The width is also suggested to increase from 2.4m (8ft) to 2.6m (8.5ft). The rationale behind this adjustment is to enhance ease of navigation, reduce the risk of vehicle damage when opening doors, and accommodate changes in vehicular dimensions.

4. Risk of Attracting Larger Vehicles:

While advocating for larger parking bays, the guidance also acknowledges a potential risk. There is concern that further increasing bay sizes may attract larger vehicles, posing a risk of overloading car park structures. This demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the potential consequences of design decisions.

5. Future Trends and Self-Parking Cars:

The article includes a forward-looking perspective, considering the potential impact of future trends such as self-parking cars. Dave Smith, the BPA Head of Marketing and Communications, anticipates a trend where the width of parking bays becomes less critical with the rise of self-parking technology.

6. Preorder Availability:

The article concludes by mentioning the availability of the car park design guidance for preorder. This indicates a proactive approach to disseminating valuable information within the industry.

In summary, the Institute of Structural Engineers' guidance reflects a comprehensive understanding of contemporary challenges in car park design, offering solutions that balance functionality, safety, and adaptability on a global scale. The inclusion of future trends and potential challenges demonstrates a forward-thinking approach, ensuring relevance in a rapidly evolving automotive landscape.

New car park design guidance (2024)

FAQs

New car park design guidance? ›

The guidance recommends the new length of a parking bay to increase from 4.8m (16ft) to 5.0m (16.4ft), and the width of a standard parking bay is likely to increase from 2.4m (8ft) to 2.6m (8.5ft).

What is the best layout for a car park? ›

Angled spaces often work better with one-way aisles, while 90 degree parallel spaces are better with two-way aisles. Typical sizes for aisles and parking spaces are 24-feet wide for a two-way aisle, and 9 x 18 feet for a parking spot. Avoid designing dead-end areas in parking lots.

How to design a car park? ›

the main rule for new car parks is that vehicular access and exit routes should be kept to a minimum. Ideally both the entry and exit routes should be in very close proximity. I.e. separate but adjacent lanes.

What is the standard size of a car parking space? ›

This means an average parking space will go from an average 2.4 by 4.8 metres to roughly 2.6 by 5.0 metres.

What software do you need to design a car park? ›

ParkCAD® is an advanced CAD software that gives users the right tools to design parking layouts quicker and smarter than traditional CAD methods. With powerful layout optimization and editing tools, users with minimal training can design parking layouts that conform to regulations and increase your team's productivity.

What is the most efficient parking design? ›

Parking Stall Angle

Ideally, parking lots should be rectangular with parking on both sides of access aisles. For two-way traffic flow, parking spaces perpendicular (90 degrees) to the aisles provide the most efficient design.

What is the standard parking structure size? ›

Although parking garages can be custom designed to fit most sites of adequate size, in general, the minimum footprint dimensions for an “efficient parking garage” (in terms of square feet per stall) is approximately 125' x 300'. A base parking stall dimension, for most uses should be approximately 9.0' x 18.0'.

How to design a parking system? ›

The parking lot system should be able to park cars, bikes, and handicapped vehicles. The system should be able to calculate the cost of parking for each type of vehicle. The system should be able to keep track of the time a vehicle is parked. The system should be able to remove a vehicle from a parking spot.

How do you construct a parking? ›

Parking Lot Construction – What Are The Basic Steps?
  1. Designing and Planning The Parking Lot. ...
  2. Preparing the Parking Lot Installation Site. ...
  3. Grading and Leveling The Parking Lot Area. ...
  4. Pouring the Asphalt or Concrete. ...
  5. Finishing The Applied Parking Lot Surface. ...
  6. Parking Lot Construction - An Easy Yet Detail-Oriented Process.
Jan 24, 2024

What are the parameters for layout designing in a parking area? ›

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.

What is the ideal space for car parking? ›

Almost all cars require similar width for car parking, an ideal space of 8′-0″ is good, this allows for the doors to open, as well as leaving space for house dwellers to take some items out of the car and carry it in through their front doors.

What is the length and width of a car park? ›

A standard car park is 16 to 18 feet long by 8 to 9 feet broad, or roughly 160 square feet. If you own a small car or want to always own a small car, you need to leave at least 12′-0′′ x 8′-0′′ for parking.

How big is a parking lot for 10 cars? ›

The size depends on the design of the parking lot. A standard parking space is 8.5 feet wide and 18 feet long. 24 feet is allowed for 2-way movement of cars. A parking lot with 10 perpendicular parking spaces on opposite sides would require 60 feet by 85 feet, ie 5,100 ft2.

Do you need planning permission to create a parking space? ›

Do I need planning permission? Depending on your individual circ*mstances, you may need planning permission. Listed buildings and conservation areas will almost certainly need permission to convert a front garden into a parking space.

How do you plan a parking space? ›

Steps for creating a parking lot plan
  1. Determine the purpose of your parking lot plan. The design of your parking lot depends on why you're creating it in the first place. ...
  2. Calculate the space and size. ...
  3. Design for a safe parking layout. ...
  4. Consider security details for parking lot plans.
Apr 16, 2024

How to make my own car design? ›

Start by drawing a rough sketch of the car from 1 perspective. The easiest way to do this is usually by drawing the rough shape and outline of the car from its driver side. Don't worry about making the car perfect; just do your best to create a rough but complete drawing of the actual body of the car.

What is the best parking pattern? ›

90-degree parking (perpendicular) accommodates significantly more vehicles than angled parking (e.g. 30-degree) and works with one-way or two-way aisles. The closer to perpendicular, the less area you'll need per vehicle in your layout, so it's more efficient and cost-effective.

What is the ideal parking space for a car? ›

Almost all cars require similar width for car parking, an ideal space of 8′-0″ is good, this allows for the doors to open, as well as leaving space for house dwellers to take some items out of the car and carry it in through their front doors.

What is the best surface to park a car on? ›

What is the best surfacing material for car parks?
  • Gravel Surfacing. Loose gravel surfacing is both cheap and quick to lay, which makes it an attractive choice. ...
  • Concrete Surfacing. Concrete is extremely hard wearing and can last for a long time with very little maintenance. ...
  • Resin Bound Surfacing. ...
  • Asphalt Surfacing.

How should I position my car for parking? ›

Keep your steering wheel turned so your vehicle straightens out within the lines of the parking space. Make sure your vehicle is entirely within the parking space and doesn't overhang. Check if your side mirrors align with the vehicles next to you to see if you've pulled in far enough.

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