In commercial, retail, business, educational, sporting and community settings, a well-designed car park is important. It ensures safe entry, parking, turning and exit for the driver. It also avoids traffic gridlock, pedestrians getting hit, and enhances the aesthetics and efficiency of the facility.
The Victoria Planning Provisions, Clause 52.06, is a planning document that contains the rules for car parking in Victoria, including the calculation of parking rates and the design of car parking spaces. The Department of Transport and Planning adds that car parking is now related to public transport accessibility.
The Standard Car Park Size in Victoria is typically designed to be 2.6m x 4.9m, wide enough to accommodate many angles and 90-degree parking arrangements.
Note: But this is not a universal rule, dimensions vary by angle and accessway width.
It will be useful to consider the Standard Car Park Size in three sections.
This is the width of the parking bay. The wider the bay, the more comfortable it is to park. This can be critical in parking lots where people are getting out and in frequently.
This is the length of the parking bay. For the most common parking angles and 90-degree parking in Victoria, 4.9 metres are often referred to in Clause 52.06-9 dimensions.
This is the aisle that runs down the front of the parking spaces. The accessway is equally as important as the parking bay size. Even if the parking bay is large enough, a small accessway can make parking difficult.
When a car park is too small, it can lead to annoyances. It may be hard to open car doors. It may take longer for bigger cars to turn. It may be difficult for people to walk between vehicles. Service vehicles may obstruct entrances. It can even lead to kerb, line marking, bitumen edges and other wear over time.
The Standard Car Park Size ensures these problems don't occur in the first place.
It supports:
Motorists need sufficient space to get in and out of spaces without having to reverse multiple times.
Well-defined paths, crossings and parking areas help avoid confusion.
Proper accessway widths prevent bottlenecks, particularly at busy times like school drop-off, work or event times.
Frequent sharp turns and driving on soft edges can accelerate asphalt wear.
Clause 52.06 provides that car parking plans shall indicate spaces, access lanes, driveways, related works, landscaping, tenancy allocation (where relevant) and other items as required by the responsible authority.
The angle of the car parking bay required is a critical factor in determining the overall area needed. Victoria's planning scheme dimensions illustrate how each angle affects bay size and accessway requirements.
Parallel parking typically requires a longer space as vehicles are side-accessed and sit parallel to the access road. Common along roadsides, in narrow spaces or in one-way streets.
45-degree parking allows easier entry and exit. It may be suitable for where through traffic is desired. It may also be easier to reverse out of than 90-degree parking.
60-degree parking provides a compromise between parking space and vehicle manoeuvrability. Suitable for commercial, community and car park applications where there is traffic flow.
A 90-degree layout is the most popular because it maximises the number of cars that can park in a rectangular space. It typically requires a wider accessway to allow cars to reverse and turn.
Victoria's car parking design standards have varying sizes based on parking angle and accessway width. The best layout is one that offers safe and comfortable vehicle movement, not the one that maximises the number of parking spaces.
A car park layout needs to be built around the use of the car park. For instance, a car park for a school might experience peak demand for only a couple of hours in the morning and afternoon. A commercial car park may be used throughout the day. A sporting ground may have a busy event.
Before finalising the design, think about:
The number of cars that may be on site during peak periods
If the traffic should be one-way or two-way
Where pedestrians will walk
Where will cars turn in
If there are larger vehicles
Where drainage will flow
How safety will be enhanced through lighting and signage
Victoria's car parking requirements also acknowledge that car parking requirements may differ according to use, location, access to public transport or walking or cycling infrastructure, and short- or long-stay use.
Not all car parks are created equal.
A school may need special considerations for crossings, drop-off, staff parking and bus stops.
A retail car park may require clear customer bays, staff bays, delivery access and road access.
A public or community site might require accessible parking, easy-to-walk-on pathways and clear line marking so visitors can navigate the site quickly.
So, the Standard Car Park Size is a guide only. The complete design must reflect the use of the site.
The car park should work on the day it is full, not just when it is empty. It is not sufficient for a car to fit in a bay if it's difficult to turn, reverse, open doors or walk.
Size and shape are crucial, but the asphalt surface matters too. A good asphalt car park should be able to carry the weight of vehicles, drain water and be comfortable to drive on. If the asphalt base is not strong enough or the drainage is inadequate, the asphalt may actually crack, settle or wear prematurely.
Good asphalt planning should consider:
For high-use sites, asphalt works can impact both safety and aesthetics.
Here's an easy way to plan it.
A school, commercial, industrial or community building will need a car park, but not necessarily the same one.
Victoria's car parking regulations can differ according to land use, overlays, and proximity to public transport.
This impacts the size of the bay, access road width, traffic movement and the number of spaces.
Pedestrian safety should be incorporated into the layout from the outset.
A great design needs to be built on a solid foundation.
A car park must not only be attractive. It should work well over time with daily wear and tear.
The Standard Car Park Size in Victoria is not just a number. It is an integral part of the total planning and design that includes bay sizes, accessway sizing, traffic and pedestrian safety, drainage, accessibility and asphalt quality.
Under the Victorian car park design guidelines, a typical bay size for many layouts is 2.6 metres by 4.9 metres, but the layout is dependent on the parking angle and accessway design.
So, if you are renovating or building a new asphalt car park, consider the layout first. Getting the design right will mean a safer, more convenient, attractive and long-lasting car park.
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Looking for advice on designing a safe, functional and durable asphalt car park in Victoria? Call MR Asphalt now to talk about your project and receive expert advice for a smooth, safe and well-finished car park surface.
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