1. PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Poor parking facilities.
Insufficient width of the parking aisle.
No allocation of parking space for the disabled.
2. PLANNING PRINCIPLE
To provide accessible parking facilities as close as possible to the point of
destination.
3. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
3.1 General
Accessible parking provisions apply to both
outdoor and underground facilities.
For multi-storey indoor parking facilities,
at least one level should be served by an accessible elevator.
3.2 Number
For parking facilities of less than 50 cars,
at least one accessible parking space should be provided in every parking facility.
For parking facilities of a maximum number of
400 spaces, accessible parking spaces should at least be provided in the ratio of 1:50
(one accessible space for every 50 spaces).
For parking facilities of more than 400
spaces, at least 8 accessible parking spaces should be provided plus 1 space for each
additional increment of 100 cars over 400.
3.3 Location
For outdoor parking, accessible parking
spaces should be located not more than 50 m from accessible building entrances.
For indoor parking, accessible parking spaces
should be located right next to accessible elevators, or as close as possible to exits.
The ends of rows are preferable for vans with
lifts for wheelchair users.
3.4 Dimensions
The minimum width of an accessible parking
space is 3.60 m. The recommended width is 3.90 m (fig. 1).
An access aisle 1.20 m wide can be located
between two ordinary parking spaces (fig. 2).
For indoor parking, the minimum height
clearance for vans with hydraulic lifts is 2.40 m.
Where parking spaces are angled, the extra
space at the end of a row can be used as a parking aisle for disabled persons (fig. 3).
3.5 Parking curb
If a curb exists, curb ramps should be
provided to link accessible parking spaces to accessible pathways (fig. 2).
If no curb exists, a textured surface at
least 0.60 m wide is needed to separate the pathway from the vehicular area; otherwise
bollards should be used (see Street Furniture). Pre-cast wheelstops can also be used to
set apart a passage at least 0.90 m wide (fig. 4) (fig. 5).
3.6 Curbside parking
Curbside parking is dangerous for disabled
people unless it is designed as an accessible drop-off area.
3.7 Drop-off areas (fig. 6)
Drop-off areas are beneficial for picking up
and dropping off people with physical limitations, parents with children, people carrying
loads, etc.
Drop-off zones should be provided at public
transport stops such as bus stops, and not more than 30.00 m from accessible building
entrances.
The drop-off area should be at least be 3.60
m wide and incorporate an aisle 1.20 m wide to allow for manoeuvring. The length should
accommodate at least two cars.
Appropriate curb ramps should be provided to
facilitate circulation over paved surfaces.
Where no curb exists to mark the separation
between pedestrian and vehicle zones, the installation of a cue is necessary to guide
sightless pedestrians:
(a) Bollards may be used (see Street Furniture); (b) A tactile marking strip at least
0.60 m wide can be constructed at the edge of the pathway to warn of the transition to a
vehicular area.
A protected shelter or canopy with seating
facilities is a recommended design feature at passenger loading zones.
Signs should be installed to identify a
drop-off zone and prevent its misuse as a parking space.
3.8 Surface
The surface of a parking facility should
beuniform and smooth.
The slope of a parking ramp should not exceed
1:20.
3.9 Signs (fig. 7)
Accessible parking areas should be marked by
the international symbol of accessibility. (1)
4. EXISTING CONSTRUCTIONS
If the parking area is more than 50.00 m from
the building entrance, a vehicular drop-off area within 30.00 m of the entrance should be
built or an accessible parking space close to the entrance should be constructed.
If no accessible parking space is available,
one of the following measures should be implemented:
(a) Block a peripheral regular stall with bollards to get one accessible parking space
(fig. 8).
(b) Block a central regular stall with bollards to get two accessible parking spaces
(fig. 9).
(c) Two accessible parking aisles (fig. 9).
For indoor parking spaces with clear height
of less than 2.40 m, alternative outdoor provisions for vans carrying disabled people
should be provided.
Notes:
(1) An exacting fine can be imposed on non-disabled drivers who park in a parking space
designated for the disabled. |