Car Park Designers Handbook
Car Park Designers Handbook
Car Park Designers Handbook
Jim Hill
With contributions from
URL: http://www.thomastelford.com
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
All rights, including translation, reserved. Except as permitted by the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system
or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or
otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishing Director, Thomas
Telford Publishing, Thomas Telford Ltd, 1 Heron Quay, London E14 4JD.
This book is published on the understanding that the authors are solely responsible for the
statements made and opinions expressed in it and that its publication does not necessarily
imply that such statements and/or opinions are or reflect the views or opinions of the
publishers. While every effort has been made to ensure that the statements made and the
opinions expressed in this publication provide a safe and accurate guide, no liability or
responsibility can be accepted in this respect by the authors or publishers.
Foreword xi
Preface xiii
Glossary of terms xiv
Acknowledgements xvi
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Historical note 1
1.2 Advice and guidance 2
1.3 Scope 2
1.4 Design flexibility 2
2 Design brief 4
2.1 The client 4
2.2 The brief 4
3 Design elements 6
3.1 The standard design vehicle (SDV): discussion 6
3.1.1 Length and width 6
3.1.2 Height 6
3.1.3 Wheelbase 7
3.1.4 Ground clearance 7
3.1.5 Turning dimensions 8
3.1.6 Recommended minimum diameters for turns
up to 1808 between obstructions 8
3.1.7 Left side, right side or in the middle? 8
3.2 Parking categories 8
3.2.1 Discussion 8
3.2.2 Car park categories 9
3.3 Parking stalls 9
3.3.1 Discussion 9
3.3.2 Recommended dimensions for differing parking
categories 9
3.3.3 Obstructions between stalls 9
3.3.4 Angled parking 10
3.4 Aisle widths 10
3.4.1 Discussion 10
3.4.2 One-way-flow with reduced aisle widths 11
3.4.3 Two-way-flow-with reduced aisle widths 12
3.4.4 Manoeuvring on aisles 13
3.4.5 Turning between aisles 13
3.5 Bin dimensions 13
3.5.1 Discussion 13
3.5.2 Recommended minimum bin dimensions for
parking with 2.400 m-wide stalls 13
3.6 Ramps and access-ways 13
3.6.1 Discussion 13
3.6.2 Recommended maximum vehicle gradients 16
3.6.3 Transitional slopes 17
3.6.4 Ramp projections into aisles 17
3.6.5 Storey height ramps 17
3.6.6 Side clearance 17
3.6.7 Manoeuvring envelope 18
3.6.8 Stall access 20
3.6.9 One-way-flow ramp widths: discussion 20
3.6.10 Ramp widths and angled parking 21
3.6.11 Two-way-flow ramps 21
3.6.12 Turning circle templates 22
3.6.13 Two-way-flow: recommended minimum clear
ramp widths 22
3.6.14 Scissors-type ramps 22
3.6.15 Side-by-side ramps 22
3.6.16 Circular ramps 22
3.6.17 Recommended minimum diameters for full
circle ramps between limiting wall faces 24
3.6.18 Recommended minimum widths for circular
ramp lanes between wall faces 24
3.7 Interlocking ramps 24
3.7.1 Stadium type 24
3.7.2 Circular type 24
3.8 Kerbs 24
3.9 Super-elevation 25
3.10 Parking deck gradients 25
3.11 Headroom and storey heights 25
3.12 Height limitations 25
4 Dynamic considerations 26
4.1 Discussion 26
4.1.1 Impact speeds 26
4.1.2 Effects of rain 26
4.1.3 Exit and entry rates and internal movement 26
4.1.4 Dynamic capacities for different stall widths
and categories 27
4.1.5 Stopping distance 27
4.1.6 Speed limits 27
4.1.7 Dynamic capacities of ramps and access-ways 27
4.1.8 Dynamic capacities of cross-ramps and
access-ways, per hour 28
4.1.9 Dynamic capacities of parking decks;
calculations 28
4.1.10 Dynamic efficiency 29
5 Static considerations 30
5.1 Static efficiency, discussion 30
5.1.1 Relative efficiencies 30
5.1.2 Area per car space 31
5.1.3 Recommended capacities 31
6 Circulation design 33
6.1 Discussion 33
6.2 How many levels? 33
6.3 Roof considerations 33
6.4 Circulation efficiency 34
6.4.1 Discussion 34
6.4.2 Shortest travel distance 34
6.4.3 Examples of circulation efficiency 35
6.5 Parking times 35
6.5.1 Discussion 35
7 Circulation layouts 37
7.1 Discussion 37
7.2 Dimensions used 37
7.3 User-friendly features 37
7.3.1 Discussion 37
7.3.2 Simplicity 37
7.3.3 Crossovers 38
7.3.4 Circulation direction 38
7.3.5 Dead ends (culs-de-sac) 38
7.4 Angled and right-angled parking: a comparison 38
7.5 Split-level decks (SLDs) 43
SLD 1 One-way traffic flow with an included rapid
outflow route 44
SLD 2 One-way traffic flow with an excluded rapid
outflow route 46
SLD 3 One-way-flow with side-by-side ramps
(scissors type) 48
SLD 4 Combined one-way-flows, three bins or
more wide 50
SLD 5 Combined one- and two-way-flows, three bins or
more wide 52
SLD 6 Two-way-flow with ‘combined’ ramps 54
SLD 7 One-way-flow with an included contra-flow
rapid exit route 56
7.6 Sloping parking decks (SDs) 59
SD 1 Single helix with two-way-flow 60
SD 2 Single helix with one-way-flow and a rapid
outflow route 62
SD 3 Double helix, end connected with one-way-flow
on the central access-way 64
SD 4 Double helix, end connected with two-way-flow
on the central access-way 66
SD 5 Interlocking double helix, with one-way-flows 68
SD 6 Combined helix, side connected with one- and
two-way-flows 70
SD 7 and 8 Double helix, side connected, with
one-way-flows 72
7.7 Combined flat and sloping deck (FSD) layouts 75
FSD 1 Single helix with two-way-flow 76
FSD 2 Single helix with one-way-flow and a rapid
outflow route 78
FSD 3 Combined helix, side connected with one- and
two-way-flows 80
FSD 4 Combined helix, side connected with
one-way-flow 82
FSD 5 Double helix, side connected with one-way-flow 84
FSD 6 and 7 Double helix, side connected with
one-way traffic flows 86
FSD 8 Single helix with one-way-flow and an internal
ramp 88
7.8 Combined flat and sloping deck layouts with internal
cross-ramps (VCM and WPD) 91
VCM 1 One-way-flow with two one-way-flow ramps 92
VCM 2 One-way-flow with end ramps 94
VCM 3 Two-way-flow with a single end ramp 96
VCM 4 One- and two-way traffic flows with a single
ramp 98
WPD 1 Warped parking decks with one-way-flow 100
7.9 Flat decks with storey height internal ramps (flat with
internal ramps – FIR) 103
FIR 1 One-way-flow decks with combined
two-way-flow ramps at right-angles to
the aisles 104
FIR 2 One-way-flow decks with side-by-side (scissors
type) ramps at right-angles to the aisles 106
FIR 3 One-way-flow decks with combined
two-way-flow ramps parallel with the aisles 108
FIR 4 One-way-flow decks with separated
one-way-flow ramps 110
7.10 Minimum dimension (MD) layouts 113
MD 1 One-way-flow between circular end ramps 114
MD 2 Two-way-flow with a circular ramp at one end 116
MD 3, 4 and 5 One- and two-way-flows, ten stalls
wide 118
MD 6, 7 and 8 One- and two-way-flows eight stalls
wide (VCM type) 120
MD 9, 10 and 11 One- and two-way-flows eight stalls
wide (split-level type) 122
7.11 Circular sloping decks (CSDs) 125
CSD 1 Circular parking deck with two-way-flow 126
7.12 Half external ramps (HERs) 129
HER 1 Half spiral with one-way-flow 130
HER 2 and 3 Straight ramps with one-way-flow 132
HER 4 Straight ramps with one-way-flow,
end located 134
HER 5 Straight ramps with one-way-flow,
end located 136
7.13 External ramps (ERs) 139
ER 1 Full circular with a two-way traffic flow 140
ER 2 Full circular ramps each with a one-way
traffic flow 142
ER 3 Straight ramps with a one-way traffic flow 144
ER 4 Storey height, straight ramps 146
ER 5 Stadium-shaped interlocking ramps 148
ER 6 Circular interlocking ramps 150
11 Security 169
11.1 Discussion 169
11.2 Lighting, music and CCTV 169
11.3 See and be seen 170
11.4 Women-only car parks 170
13 Lighting 175
13.1 Discussion 175
13.2 Emergency lighting 175
14 Signage 177
14.1 Discussion 177
14.2 Directional signs 177
14.3 Information signs 178
14.4 Variable message sign systems 178
14.5 Emergency signs 179
15 Drainage 181
15.1 Discussion 181
18 Ventilation 191
18.1 Discussion 191
18.2 Natural ventilation requirements 191
18.3 Mechanically assisted natural ventilation requirements 191
18.4 Mechanical ventilation requirements 191
19 Structure 195
19.1 Discussion 195
19.2 Construction materials 195
19.3 Joints 196
19.4 Perimeter protection 196
19.5 Concrete finishes 197
19.6 Protective coatings 197
19.7 Waterproofing 197
19.8 Cambers 198
20 Appearance 201
20.1 Discussion 201
20.2 Appearance requirements 201
Appendix A 203
References 204
Index 205
About the authors
In 1967 Jim founded the Hill Cannon Partnership (HCP) with John
Cannon and has been involved in car park design since 1969. In
1970, they developed the Tricon structural system and in 1993 Jim
patented the Vertical Circulation Module system (VCM). He is a past
President of the British Parking Association and a regional Chairman
of the Concrete Society. He is now a consultant to the practice,
having retired in 1992, since when he has concentrated on the further
development of VCM, designing appropriate circulation layouts for
many projects and researching this book. He is currently writing a
James Hill CEng similar handbook on ‘good practice’ parking in the USA.
FIStructE (ret’d)
Glynn is a senior partner of the HCP and has been involved in the
design of 30 multi-storey car parks since 1986, two of which have
been voted Best New Build car parks at the annual British Parking
Awards. He also received the Ernest Davies Award for the best article
published in Parking News entitled ‘Current Trends in the Design of Car
Parks’. He has provided design advice for large underground car
parking facilities in Manila, Kuala Lumpur (Petronas Towers),
Zagreb and Dubai. Recent projects include the Jubilee car park in
Glynn Rhodes BSc (Hons) Harrogate (precast with 450 spaces), Merryhill Shopping Centre,
CEng MICE MIHT West Midlands (precast with 1600 spaces) and Manchester Royal
FConsE Infirmary (precast with 1600 spaces).
Steve is a senior partner of the HCP and has been actively involved with
car park design and parking related subjects since 1996: these include
structured car parks, both above and below ground, as well as large
capacity single deck layouts. His particular interest is in the provision
of suitably located parking for disabled drivers, two wheeled traffic
and general ‘wayfinding’ for both motorists and pedestrians alike.
Recent design projects include Birmingham Airport (precast with
1700 spaces), Ocean Terminal; Edinburgh (precast with 1000 spaces)
and Clarence Dock; Leeds (precast with 1600 spaces).
A senior partner of the HCP, Chris has been involved in the design of
parking structures for more than twenty years. He is a contributor to
the IStructE publication Design recommendations for multi-storey and
underground car parks and the Institution of Civil Engineers’ publica-
tion Recommendations for inspection, maintenance and management of
car park structures. He has served on European technical committees
and has presented papers on parking related subjects. His particular
interest is in the development of new structural forms. Recent design
projects include St. Andrews; Norwich (steel frame with 1100 spaces),
Sundials; Amersham (steel frame with 550 spaces) and Designer
Christopher Whapples BSc
Outlet Village, Livingston (in situ with 1600 spaces).
(Hons) CEng FIStructE
FICE MIHT FConsE
Foreword
Jim Hill has spent the last 35 years in the development of car park
design and this experience has given him a unique insight into the
reasons why some buildings operate successfully and others, of a similar
size and activity, do not. The choice of the correct circulation layout is a
subject that he considers to be of prime importance in the creation of an
efficient parking building.
Both as a consumer of parking services and a former parking
manager, it always intrigues me why some parking layouts are easily
navigated and yet others test one’s patience? As an engineer, I think
logically and admire the ‘art of parking’ created by my fellow collea-
gues; as a consumer I want to be able to park my car as quickly and
as effectively as I can and get on with the business in hand, be it
work or play; this is especially true if I have children with me.
My experience has taught me that parking is a means to an end; it
is the first and last impression of my ‘destination’; it needs to be
good if I’m to contemplate returning there again and again. This is
especially true in the retail and commercial world where (hopefully)
my custom is valued. It is equally true when I visit an unfamiliar
town or city, park at a rail station, or simply spend a day at leisure
someplace.
Equally important is the need to feel intuitively safe and welcome
wherever I choose to park. Complex layouts, frustration with queues
and conflict with others who are manoeuvring about in or out of
parking spaces, or sometimes in what seems like a never-ending set of
twists and turns to get in or out of the car park in the first place,
only serve to increase my sense of ‘uncared for’ by the owner or
operator.
This book, describes and illustrates some 60þ variations on the many
‘layout themes’, no doubt there are others. Their advantages and dis-
advantages are discussed, recommendations made for their practical
application and suggestions made for other layouts that should also
be considered.
More than just discussing layouts, the author has shown how ramps
can be prevented from projecting excessively into traffic aisles, how to
assess dynamic capacity and efficiency, and the many other considera-
tions that go to make up the design process. The matters dealt with in
Chapters 8 to 20 such as the current requirements for people with
mobility impairments, pedestrian access, security, ventilation, etc.
have been written with the help of his partners, all parking experts in
their own right.
In the author’s opinion, effective design is based upon common sense,
a little crystal ball gazing and experience: it is not a precise art. He
suggests that, provided drivers will want to frequent the car park and
clients are willing to pay for it, little else matters. I wouldn’t want
to disagree with him, but my comments about being ‘welcome’ at
any parking facility are the key to its success. If the operator wants
to do business, good customer service is vital; to do that needs good
design.
This book addresses the subject of car park design, especially the
design of circulation layouts, in a practical manner and can be easily
understood by anyone with an interest in the subject. It will help to
identify examples of best practice in making our parking facilities
more accessible to all. The book is also a useful reference for those
considering the Park Mark1 Safer Parking Scheme.
Kelvin Reynolds
Access-way or crossway
A traffic lane without adjoining stalls laid flat or to a slope not
exceeding 5%, also capable of being used by pedestrians.
Aisle
A traffic lane with adjoining stalls on one or more sides.
Bin
Used to denote the dimension across an aisle and its adjacent stalls.
(A half bin has stalls only on one side.)
Circulation efficiency
A method of comparing the travel distance required to search the stalls,
in any particular car park, with the minimum travel distance. (Given as
a percentage.)
Congestion
Applies to traffic that is unable to flow freely.
Cross-ramp
An inclined traffic lane connecting the aisles in adjacent bins, laid to a
slope greater than 5%.
Deck
A single floor that extends over the plan area of a parking building.
Des Recs
A shortened form of words describing the Design Recommendations for
Multi-storey and Underground Car Parks, 3rd edition, published in June
2002 by the Institution of Structural Engineers.
Dynamic capacity
A measure of the rate that traffic can pass a given location within a car
park. (Given in vehicles per hour.)
Dynamic efficiency
A measure of the ability of a car park to process vehicles under normal
operating conditions.
Excluded
Applies to an inflow route that is separated from an outflow route.
Extended
Applies to any traffic route that is not rapid.
Included
A flow route that is located within the circulation pattern of another.
Inflow
Applies to the search path for traffic within a car park.
Manoeuvring envelope (ME)
The boundaries established by the minimum turning circle when
entering a crossway or ramp, outside of which a vehicle is unable to
manoeuvre without reversing.
MPV
The initials for a multi-purpose vehicle.
MSCP
The initials for a multi-storey car park.
One-way-flow
Traffic flowing in a single direction on an aisle.
Outflow
Applies to traffic exiting from a car park.
Ramp
Any traffic lane, without adjoining stalls, that provides access to or
from parking at different levels.
Rapid
Applies to a short route for inflow or outflow traffic.
Stall
The parking area allotted to a single vehicle, exclusive of any other
adjoining area.
Stall pitch
The spacing for stalls, normal to an aisle, for a particular angle of
parking.
Static capacity
The total number of stalls contained within a designated area or
complete car park.
Static efficiency
The area of the parking decks divided by the static capacity and given as
an area per stall.
SUV
The initials for a sports utility vehicle.
Swept path
The width on plan established by a vehicle for any given radius of turn.
Two-way-flow
Traffic flowing in both directions on an aisle, ramp or crossway.
Vph
Vehicles per hour.
Acknowledgements
Figs 1.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5(a) and (b), 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.17, 3.19,
3.20, 6.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.5, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.1, 9.1, 10.1(a), 11.1, 12.1, 13.1,
14.1, 15.1, 16.1, 17.1, 19.1 and 20.1 Hill-Cannon archives.
Figs 7.4 and 7.6 courtesy of Dundec Ltd.
Fig. 7.10 courtesy of Norwest Holst.
Fig. 10.2(c) courtesy of Falco.
Fig. 10.3(d) courtesy of Motoloc Ltd.
Fig. 18.17 courtesy of PSB (UK) Ltd.
7 Circulation layouts
7.1 Discussion Of the more than 5000 structured car parks believed constructed in the
UK alone, it can be readily appreciated that no single person can have
knowledge of every circulation layout variation that has been proposed
and built. Practical considerations, personal experience and the con-
stant pressures for financial economy render it reasonable to assume
that the examples shown, all of which have been featured or built
during the past 35 years, provide the basis for most of the self-parking
buildings that exist at the present time. The design of a satisfactory
circulation layout is one of the most important factors governing user
appreciation and yet many designers are unaware of the large variety
of options from which they may choose and their suitability for the
intended purpose.
The following examples are all practical layouts and form the basis
upon which most self-parking facilities have been designed. Some are
more popular than others and some are significantly defective in circu-
lation design, static and dynamic efficiency. If designers are to gain
confidence in developing solutions to solve particular problems, then
it is desirable that they should know the strengths and weaknesses of
individual layouts in order to make an informed choice.
7.2 Dimensions used There are few precise dimensions that must be adopted for the design of
parking structures. Dimensions for the individual elements can vary
and are also affected by the parking angle (that varies the bin width)
in one direction and the stall pitch (that varies the overall length) in
the other direction. The main concern is that motorists and clients
are content.
It is overly laborious and unnecessary to keep mentioning all of the
variations that can occur in practice and so dimensions for the featured
layouts will be based upon those recommended for 908 parking with
stall dimensions of 2.400 m 4.800 m, aisle widths of 6.000 m (one-
way flow), 7.000 m (two-way flow) and a storey height of 3.000 m.
In the layouts shown in the following pages, the overall aisle lengths
are sometimes shown less than those given for the width; nevertheless,
the length of the aisle will determine the ‘length’ of a layout and the
dimension over the bins will determine its ‘width’.
7.3.2 Simplicity
The basic tenet of all circulation design is to ‘keep it simple’. What, at
first, might look like a clever idea to a designer could well end up as a
37
motorist’s nightmare. In a structured car park the layout should endea-
vour to replicate the openness of a surface car park. To this end, it is
desirable to eliminate, as far as possible, vertical structure that interferes,
both visually and physically, with the free movement of vehicles and
pedestrians. Turning directly from one lock to the other is not a popular
manoeuvre. If possible all turns should be in the same direction and not
more than 908 at a time. When located under other types of building, it is
not always possible to create the most desirable layout. Attempts should
be made to minimise the visual impact of large vertical elements and
locate them away from the circulation routes, if at all possible.
7.3.3 Crossovers
Crossover conditions should be avoided. When on a traffic aisle and
searching for the first available space, it is disconcerting and potentially
dangerous to find a car suddenly appearing at right angles from behind
a parked vehicle. The driver of this car may also be concentrating on
finding a space in which to park, or intent only on leaving the facility
as quickly as possible. A user-friendly circulation layout should not
hold surprises for drivers who should be able to observe the movements
of other vehicles well before there is a need to take avoiding action.
7.4 Angled and Members of the public and some clients, ask why angled parking is not
right-angled parking: used more frequently in the UK. They point out that it is popular in the
a comparison USA and, for those who have used it, it is a popular parking format
but, in the UK, layouts with 908 parking occur more often in town-
centre car parks than any of the other types.
Figure 7.1 shows a basic UK town-centre-type split-level layout with
908 parking. It is 28 stall widths in length with 96 stalls on each deck.
Circulation layouts 39
per deck building will need to be 95.000 m in length, (41% longer) and
even with aisle widths reduced to 3.600 m, the car space requirement
will be some 25% greater than for the 908 car park (see Section 5.1.1).
A two-bin, split-level car park with 908 parking could increase its stall
widths to 3.000 m, and retain its 6.000 m-wide aisles without exceeding
the area per car space for a two-bin 458 car park with 2.400 m-wide
stalls and 3.600 m wide aisles.
In the USA, many structured town-centre-type car parks incorporate
908 parking. Stalls with 608 angles, widened aisles and a two-way traffic
flow are sometimes used for retail shopping at surface level and 708 to
808 angles for large Cats 3 and 4 buildings of the SD and FSD series, SD
2, 3 and 4 being particularly popular in the southern and western USA.
205
decks (continued ) entries 26
metal plate 196 exits 26
surface abrasion 198 ramps 27–8
washing-down facilities 181 dynamic efficiency, angled stalls 29
waterproofing 197–8
deflections, structural 198–9 efficiency see circulation efficiency; dynamic efficiency;
design static efficiency
aesthetics 200, 201–2, 202 emergency signs 179
angled stalls, implications 39–40, 39 lighting 175, 179, 183
briefs 4–5 entries
existing 37 dynamic capacity 26
questionnaires 4 two-wheeled vehicles 165
design and build projects 201 environment, aesthetics 200, 201–2, 202
Design recommendations for multi-storey and ER 1 (full circular ramps/two-way-flow) 140, 141
underground car parks (Des. Rec.) 1 alternatives to 141
ramps 16, 16 ER 2 (full circular ramps/one-way-flow) 142, 143
dimensions as alternative 141
disabled parking stalls 162, 162 alternatives to 143
stalls ER 3 (straight ramps/one-way-flow) 144, 145
area per car space 31 alternatives to 145
length 9 ER 4 (storey height straight ramps) 146, 147
width 9, 27 ER 5 (stadium-shaped interlocking ramps) 148, 149
disabled drivers ER 6 (circular interlocking ramps) 150, 151
see also disabled pedestrians exit barriers, ticket insertion 38
flat and sloping decks 75 exit routes
hillside car parks 161 dynamic capacity 26
separation of 163 rapid 36
sloping parking decks 59 exits
tariffs for 163 emergency 183
disabled parking stalls 160 ramps, headroom 15
dimensions 162, 162 two-wheeled vehicles 165
legal requirements 161 external ramps 138, 139
location see also ER series
parameters 161–2
random 162 FIR 1 (one-way-flow/two-way ramps/right angles) 102,
numbers 161 104, 105
supervision 162 alternatives to 105
disabled pedestrians circulation efficiency 35
see also disabled drivers static efficiency 105
fire escapes 156, 183 FIR 2 (one-way-flow/scissors ramps) 106, 107
lift buttons 177 alternatives to 107
ramps 15, 156 static efficiency 107
refuges for 154 FIR 3 (one-way-flow/two-way ramps/parallel) 108,
viewing panels 177 109
double helix alternatives to 109
interlocking, one-way-flow 68, 69 static efficiency 109
one-way-flow FIR 4 (one-way-flow/one-way ramps) 110, 111
end connected 64, 65 alternatives to 111
side connected 72, 73, 86, 87 static efficiency 111
two-way-flow, end connected 66, 67 fire alarms 183
drainage fire escapes
deck falls 181 access to 153–4
gully outlets 198–9 disabled pedestrians 156, 183
location 181 distances from 155–6, 183
petrol interceptors 181 horizontal 155
protection of 180 routes to 183
roofs 181 stairs as 153, 154–5
stair cores 181 fire fighting 182, 183–4
ventilating 181 lifts 184
washing-down 181 smoke containment 184
driver frustration sprinklers 184
complex designs 37–8 fire lobbies 154–5, 154
potential conflict 49, 51, 129 fire regulations, stairs as fire escapes 153
stall searching 35, 73 fire safety strategies 183
dry-risers 154, 184 flat decks
dynamic capacity external ramps, capacity 31
decks 28–9 internal ramps 103
Index 207
MD 1 (one-way-flow/circular end ramps) (continued ) one-way-flow
static efficiency 115 aisle widths
variations 115 minimum 13
MD 2 (two-way-flow/one circular end ramps) 116, 117 reduced 11, 19
alternatives to 117 circular ramps 22, 24
static efficiency 117 preference for 8
variations 117 ramp widths 20–1
MD 3 (one-way-flow/10 stalls wide) 118, 119 one-way-flow types
static efficiency 119 see also one- and two-way-flow types
MD 4 (two-way-flow/10 stalls wide) 118, 119 combined, threeþ bins wide 50, 51
static efficiency 119 combined helix, side connected 82, 83
MD 5 (two-way-flow/sloping decks/10 stalls wide) 118, contra-flow rapid exit 56, 57
119 double helix
static efficiency 119 end connected 64, 65
MD 6–8 (one- and two-way-flows 8 stalls wide) 120, 121 side connected 72, 73, 86, 87
as alternative 123 end ramps 95, 96
alternatives to 121 circular 114, 115
static efficiency 121 excluded outflow 28–9, 29, 42, 46, 47
MD 9–11 (one- and two-way-flows/8 stalls wide/split full circular ramps 142, 143
levels) 122, 123 half spiral 130, 131
alternatives to 123 interlocking double helix 68, 69
static efficiency 123 internal ramps 92, 93
medium stay car parks 9 one-way ramps, separated 110, 111
capacities 31 rapid outflow 44, 45
large-capacity 45 capacity 31
lifts 153, 157 circulation efficiency 35
recommendations for scissors ramps 48, 49
combined flat and sloping decks 93, 97 at right angles 106, 107
sloping decks 61, 73 single helix
split level decks 47, 57 internal ramps 88, 89
message signs, variable 34, 67, 81, 89, 115, 178–9 rapid outflow 63, 64, 78, 79
metal plate decks 196 straight ramps 132, 133, 144, 145
minimum dimension layouts 113 end located 134, 135, 136, 137
see also MD series two-way ramps
underground 112, 113 at right angles 104, 105
motorcycle parking parallel 108, 109
free-standing 164, 165–6, 166 warped decks 100, 101
hard surface 166 outflow
helmet/clothes lockers 166 excluded rapid 46, 47
security surveillance 166 rapid 44, 45, 62, 63
motorists’ destinations, car park influences 1–2 overhead signage 176, 177
multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) 6
multi-storey car parks (MSCP) painting, light colours 175
aisle viewing angles 8 parking stalls see stalls
categories 9 partially sighted, guidelines 177
changes of use 2–3 pay and display 187
first 1 pay stations, signs 178
hillside conditions 15 payment
market values 3 by mobile phone 187–8
running costs 187 on exit 186, 187
sale of 2–3 on foot 187
music, and security 169 pedestrians
see also disabled pedestrians
natural ventilation 191 access flat and sloping decks 91
angled stalls 11
obstructions, between parking stalls 9–10 encumbered 26
occupancy fire escapes
maximum 154 access to 153–4, 183
notional 153–4 distances from 155–6, 183
one- and two-way-flow types stairs as 153, 154–5
combined, threeþ bins wide 52, 53 flat and sloping decks 75
combined helix guard rails 197
side connected 70, 71, 80, 81 lifts 153
eight stalls wide 120, 121 ramps 16
split-level 122, 123 gradients 24
single ramp 98, 99 layouts 156, 156
ten stalls wide 118, 119 split-level decks 43
Index 209
signage advantages 43
control 178 pedestrian ramps in 43
deck levels, indications 176, 178 popularity 43
deck markings, directional 177 sports utility vehicles (SUV) 6
emergency 179 sprinklers 184
lighting 175 staff parking see tidal car parks
headroom 25 stairs
overhead 176, 177 cores, drainage 181
pay stations 178 as fire escapes
pedestrians 177–8 fire lobbies 154–5, 154
schedule 179 fire regulations 153
variable message 34, 67, 81, 89, 115, 178–9 widths 155
single helix stalls
one-way-flow see also angled stalls; disabled parking stalls; parking
internal ramps 88, 89 decks
rapid outflow 62, 63, 78, 79 access, manoeuvring envelopes 18, 19, 20
two-way-flow dimensions
flat and sloping decks 76, 77 area per car space 31
sloping decks 60, 61 length 9
SLD 1 (one-way-flow/rapid outflow) 44, 45 width 9, 27
as alternative 47, 57 driver searches 35
alternatives to 45 dynamic capacity 27
capacity 31, 45 obstructions between 9–10
circulation efficiency 35, 45 rectangle 6, 9
static efficiency 45 searching
SLD 2 (one-way-flow/excluded outflow) inefficient 51, 53, 81, 83
as alternative traffic congestion 73, 81
to FSD series 89 static efficiency 30–1
to SD series 65, 67, 71, 73 standard design vehicles (SDV)
to SLD series 45 see also vehicles
to VCM series 95 95factor 6, 10
alternatives to 47 departures from 6, 7
static efficiency 47 ground clearance 7–8, 10
SLD 3 (one-way-flow/scissors ramps) 48, 49 height 6, 10
as alternative 81, 85, 93 length 6, 10
alternatives to 49 turning diameters 8, 10
capacity 31 wheelbase 7, 10
static efficiency 49 width 6, 10
SLD 4 (combined one-way-flows, threeþ stalls wide) static efficiency
50, 51 definition 30
alternatives to 51 external bins 30
circulation efficiency 51 internal bins 31
SLD 5 (combined one- and two-way-flows, 3þ bins single bins 30
wide) 52, 53 two-bin layout 30
as alternative 83 steelwork 195
alternatives to 53 coatings 197
static efficiency 53 storey height ramps 17, 18, 103, 105
SLD 6 (two-way-flow/combined ramps) 54, 55 structure
as alternative 49, 61, 77 alternative materials 195
alternatives to 55 deflections 198–9
static efficiency 55 reinforced concrete 195
SLD 7 (one-way-flow/contra-flow exit) 56, 57 finishes 197
as alternative 97, 99 life expectation 195
alternatives to 57 shrinkage joints 196
static efficiency 57 steelwork 195
sloping parking decks (SD) coatings 197
see also SD series supermarkets, lift requirements 156–7
definition 59 surveillance see CCTV; lighting; security
disabled drivers 59 swept paths, turning circles 22, 23
parking gradients 59
pedestrian considerations 59 tag systems of payment 188
smoke tariffs see control systems
control 184, 192 temperature differences, exposed decks 196
detectors 192 tidal car parks 9, 49
speed limits, imposition of 27 capacities 32
split-level decks (SLD) with flow reversal 69
see also SLD type series lifts 157
Index 211