Car Park Design – Creating an Efficient Space in Your Business

November 22nd, 2024

Last updated: December 10th, 2024

Designing a car park might not sound glamorous, but it’s a vital part of creating functional, safe, and welcoming spaces. Car park design can make the difference between traffic chaos and a properly-functioning outdoor space where customers and staff feel safe leaving their vehicle.

Whether you’re building a car park for a retail space, residential area, or office, a well-thought-out design makes all the difference. There are a lot of variables with car parks including location and size, but there are some simple aspects of car park design that can help you to get it right.

Planning for Purpose

Before you get into specifics, think about who will use your car park. Will it serve customers visiting a shopping centre, employees in an office building, or residents in a flat complex? Each group has different needs.

Retail may see a high turnover of cars and pedestrians means clear signage and good traffic flow are crucial.

Offices may have a more all-day focus and parking requires dedicated spaces and secure facilities.

Some people even run a car park as a standalone business, meaning design can directly impact profit.

In all car parks, good lighting is also a must, especially during winter when we see much shorter days. Use LED floodlights for energy efficiency and ensure all areas, including pedestrian walkways, are well-lit.

Layout – The Basis of a Great Car Park

Getting the layout right is the first step. An efficient, intuitive layout not only maximises space but also reduces stress for drivers.

In the UK, 90-degree parking spaces are the most common as they’re space-efficient and suit smaller car parks. For larger areas, consider angled parking (45° or 60°) to make it easier for drivers to park.

Clear entry and exit points, along with one-way systems, help prevent congestion. Include turning bays in dead-end sections so no one gets stuck and parking barriers which serve to control the flow of traffic as well as control payments.

Don’t forget the pedestrians! Line marking services can also provide you with specific walkways to keep people safe and make it easy for them to reach their destination without dodging cars.

Marking the Lines

A key part of any car park is line marking, and it’s worth investing in professional services to ensure precision and lines that last (and don’t have errors). The DIY approach may be okay for a touch-up of lines or for a small private car park, but it is not recommended for ensuring a large car park stays efficient.

Standard parking bays in the UK are typically 2.4m wide and 4.8m long, so keep these measurements in mind. Some choose to add extra-wide bays for larger vehicles or those with trailers.

Other Considerations

• Disabled Spaces. The Equality Act 2010 requires accessible parking. Ensure disabled bays are clearly marked with the wheelchair symbol and provide extra space for vehicle ramps or lifts.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Bays. With EV ownership booming, include dedicated charging bays. Make them easy to spot with bright green or blue paint and clear signage.
• Directional Arrows and Text. Mark lanes, arrows, and no-entry areas boldly to guide drivers. This keeps traffic flowing smoothly and prevents confusion.
• Speed Control. Add speed bumps to discourage speeding, particularly in busy sections. Complement this with clear speed limit signs, typically 5–10 mph.
• Barriers and bollards. Protect pedestrians with bollards near walkways or building entrances. Automatic parking barriers at entry points improve security and manage traffic flow.
• Signage. Use bold, weather-resistant signs to display parking rules, directions, and time limits.
• CCTV. Installing CCTV helps deter theft, vandalism, and anti-social behaviour. Choose wide-angle cameras that cover key areas like entrances, exits, and high-traffic zones.

A safe car park is a successful one. Beyond creating an organised space, focus on reducing risks for both vehicles and pedestrians.

Maintenance

Even the best-designed car park won’t stay functional without regular upkeep. Run-down car parks are off putting for customers and for businesses, they can make the wrong first impression. Some things you can do include:

• Repaint faded markings every few years.
• Clean debris regularly to keep drains unclogged.
• Inspect lighting and cameras to ensure they’re working properly.

Ready to Design Your Car Park?

Car park design doesn’t have to be too complex. For most businesses, a little bit of thought can ensure that things are in good working order.

We’re a fully accredited line marking installer with years of industry experience. Our local technicians offer fast callout times and top-tier service with a smile at competitive prices.

Whether you’re looking for line marking installation, maintenance, or removal, we’ve got you covered.

Contact our team today to arrange a consultation.