- Pick the Right Entry and Exit
How people access your asset plays an essential role in their parking experience, and these access methods will also determine what technologies you can use. A strong setup begins with your access gate. Opt for gate or gateless entries rather than overhead doors—they’ll only alienate revenue from transient parkers because a badge or item in a vehicle is required for them to open.
- Build the Best Runway Length
Once you’ve decided on access control, you need to think about traffic flow to and from your asset. To correctly utilize technology like LPR, which can significantly reduce waiting times and track information, your runway needs 30 feet from the camera to the barrier gate. And the distance from the gate to the kiosk needs to be accounted for, as well.
- Include EV Charging Infrastructure Early
EV charging will be getting more popular thanks to changes in federal infrastructure. Owners who don’t include charging infrastructure in new construction will likely face steep costs when retrofitting later. When installing, the goal should be getting the most efficient usage from your customers. One construction method is to localize your charging stations by connecting them in a column so that the stations are stacked in one vertical direction and are in the same location no matter which floor.
- Determine Easy Traffic Flow Pathways
Ensuring smooth traffic is one of the top priorities in parking design. Avoid single lanes for bilateral traffic. Instead, dedicate lanes for each direction and have specific ramps for entry and exit. This way, people arriving or leaving will have their own space for finishing a transaction, and traffic won’t be obstructed.
- Install Abundant Lighting
Think of times you’ve gotten confused or lost while parking. Adequate lighting will help your customers navigate your assets. Place lighting fixtures to cover each stretch of drivable pavement, particularly around corners, so your parking lot doesn’t turn into a bumper car arena. You can also reduce glare by pointing your lights downward and using LED lights, which have minimal glare.
Putting parking first is a strategic practice. It requires understanding the value of the next-generation mobility hub and knowing that the way people travel is changing. The above tips will help prepare you in your next construction project for what’s to come by sharing how to build for the future.