If you own a business or organization, it’s important that your guests and patrons feel cared for in every aspect. One of the most important factors to consider is the space you will receive people in, such as the lobby and parking lot. Designing a safe, attractive, and functional parking lot can be a challenge, but Professional Asphalt Service of Long Lake, MN, is devoted to simplifying the process. Here, they list their best tips for designing a parking lot.

How to Design the Ideal Parking Lot

1. Pavement Thickness

Considering your business and the property you own, determine where the traffic will be heaviest. Spots for trucks and buses, special truck lanes, and entries and exits will need to support more weight than others. To avoid cracks and potholes, the pavement will have to be thicker in these areas. In spots where medians and cart corrals will be, the pavement can be thinner.

2. Space

Customers will be more likely to visit your business if you have ample parking space. As you work with your parking lot installation company to devise the layout, make sure the longest sides of the lot are parallel, and leave room for spots around the perimeter. When planning lanes, make sure they offer access to spots on both the right and left. If you’re torn between 45- and 90-degree spots, consider 60-degree angles. These allow for the widest possible traffic lanes without making it hard to get in and out of spots.

3. Accessibility

It’s also crucial to ensure your parking lot is accessible to patrons with handicaps. Go over the ADA requirements with your asphalt contractor, and make sure at least 2% of your parking spaces are handicapped-accessible. If you own a medical facility, you’ll need to include many more.

4. Safety

To keep your guests safe, make sure the lot has plenty of clearly marked crosswalks. Install speed bumps to force drivers to slow down near pedestrian walkways, and place stop signs strategically. Cart corrals should be easy to access and visible to motorists in vehicle lanes.

To design a parking lot that is both safe and space-efficient, put your trust in the experts at Professional Asphalt Service. They specialize in serving commercial clients in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas, from pothole repairs to full paving projects, but they also perform residential work. For more information on their services, visit the website. Call them at (612) 636-8888 to get started on your parking lot design today.