If you own a commercial property, a functional parking lot is essential for making your facility accessible to visitors and team members alike. It might seem like setting up this area would be easy as long as you have a flat, paved outdoor space. However, there are some other considerations that need to be taken into account to ensure that parking lots function safely and effectively.

How to Design Parking Lots Efficiently

1. Identify Your Needs

There are several different layouts and types of spaces that parking lots can have, so it’s important for you to identify the type of activity your parking lot will see prior to laying everything out. Obviously, the size of your facility will play a major role. How many employees and/or guests do you plan to have on a daily basis, and how many spots will they need?

You should also consider how often people will come and go. If you need to fit a lot of cars in a small space, then straight parking spaces may be your best bet, but if people will be coming and going often, you might opt for angled spaces.

2. Measure & Designate Space

A standard parking space is about 9 x 19 feet. If your facility doesn’t need extra-large spots for trucks or delivery vehicles, then you can use this, along with your vehicle volume findings, as a gauge for how much space you need to designate for parking. Don’t forget to leave room for aisles so cars can get to each row of spaces, along with walkways for pedestrians. You’ll also need at least a few larger spots for handicapped parking areas.

3. Add Signs & Lighting

From there, you need to create a flow for your parking lot and put up signage so people know which way they should drive down each aisle. You should also have signs for pedestrian areas and other safety-related aspects. It’s also essential to set up proper lighting throughout the parking lot so people who visit in the evening can safely find their vehicles and enter or exit the premises.

If you need assistance designing parking lots for your facility, TTAD in Reynoldsburg, OH can help. The commercial contractor specializes in building construction and renovation projects for office buildings, retail spaces, and government facilities. In business for nearly a decade, the company provides personalized attention to every client, so you have input on every detail from countertop installation to paint selection. The team also prides themselves on their quality workmanship and attention to detail. To get started on your next project, contact the team online or call (740) 927-1787.