Preliminary planning and site selection

Demand analysis

Traffic flow estimation: Estimate the traffic flow based on the nature of the parking lot service area. For instance, if it is designed for a commercial center, it is necessary to investigate the scale and business types of the surrounding commercial areas as well as the foot traffic on weekdays and holidays. Historical parking data of similar commercial centers can be referred to, combined with the development plan of new commercial centers, to estimate the approximate parking demand, and then determine the scale of the parking lot and the number of parking Spaces.

User group analysis: Identify the main users of the parking lot. If the parking lot is designed for a hospital, the users may include patients, their families and medical staff. They have high requirements for the convenience and safety of parking, and the duration of their stay varies greatly. In terms of design, emphasis should be placed on the needs of different user groups.

Site selection considerations

Convenience of transportation: Parking lots should be as close as possible to major traffic arteries and entrances and exits to facilitate the rapid entry and exit of vehicles. For instance, setting up parking lots along the main urban roads can reduce the detour distance that vehicles have when looking for parking lots and lower the disruption to the surrounding traffic. At the same time, the connection with public transportation stops should be taken into consideration to facilitate the transfer of citizens using public transportation.

Environmental impact: Avoid ecologically sensitive areas such as nature reserves and water sources. If there are residential areas near the site selection, the impact of the parking lot on residents' lives, such as noise and exhaust pollution, should be evaluated. Adverse effects can be reduced by setting up green isolation belts and other means.

Ecological design strategy

Greening configuration

Plant selection: Choose plants that are suitable for the local climate and soil conditions to ensure they grow well and have low maintenance costs. For example, in arid areas, drought-resistant cactus plants, succulents, etc. can be chosen; Aquatic plants and moisture-loving flowers can be grown in humid areas. At the same time, the ecological functions of plants should be taken into consideration, such as absorbing harmful gases, reducing noise, and regulating microclimate, etc.

Greening layout: Adopt diverse greening layout methods to increase the green area and landscape effect. Tree belts can be set up around the parking lot to serve as isolation and shade. Plant shrubs or ground cover plants between parking Spaces to reduce ground reflection heat and lower the temperature inside the vehicle. In addition, landscape elements such as flower beds and lawns can also be set up to create a comfortable parking environment.

Rainwater management

Permeable pavement: The ground of parking lots is paved with permeable pavement materials, such as permeable concrete and permeable bricks. These materials can enable rainwater to seep into the ground quickly, replenish groundwater and reduce surface runoff. For instance, the porosity of permeable concrete can reach 15% to 25%, which can effectively enhance the permeability of the ground.

Rainwater collection and utilization: Set up a rainwater collection system to collect rainwater from the parking lot, and after treatment, use it for green irrigation, road washing, etc. Rainwater collection pools can be set up in the low-lying areas of the parking lot, and rainwater can be introduced into the pools through pipes. At the same time, corresponding purification equipment should be provided to ensure that the collected rainwater meets the usage standards.

Parking space and passage design

Parking space design

Parking space size: Determine the parking space size reasonably based on the requirements of different vehicle models. Generally speaking, the length of parking Spaces for small vehicles can be set at 5 to 5.5 meters, and the width at 2.5 to 2.7 meters. The parking Spaces for large vehicles should be appropriately enlarged in size. In addition, the design of parking Spaces specifically for people with disabilities should be taken into account, and more spacious parking Spaces and barrier-free access should be set up in accordance with relevant standards.

Parking space layout: Adopt a reasonable parking space layout method to improve the space utilization rate of the parking lot. The common layout methods include vertical, diagonal and parallel. The vertical layout is suitable for rectangular areas with a large number of parking Spaces. The diagonal layout is convenient for vehicles to enter and exit, but the space utilization rate is relatively low. Parallel layout is suitable for situations where the width of the site is limited. The appropriate layout or combination can be selected based on the actual shape and requirements of the parking lot.

Channel design

Aisle width: Ensure that the aisle width meets the requirements for vehicle passage and turning. The width of a one-way passage is generally no less than 3.5 meters, and that of a two-way passage is no less than 6 meters. For large parking lots, sufficient return areas should be set up to facilitate vehicle U-turns.

Channel signs: Set up clear and eye-catching channel signs to guide vehicles to drive in an orderly manner. Signs can be presented in the form of arrows, text, colors, etc., enabling drivers to identify them quickly. At the same time, to ensure the visibility of the sign at night, reflective materials can be used or lighting equipment can be installed.

Lighting and safety design

Lighting design

Lighting layout: Arrange lighting fixtures reasonably to ensure uniform lighting and no blind spots in the parking lot. A combination of various lighting methods such as high-pole lamps, wall lamps and floor lamps can be adopted. High-pole lamps are suitable for large parking lots and can provide overall lighting. Wall lamps can be installed on buildings or fences to enhance local lighting. Ground lights can be used to mark parking Spaces and passageways, enhancing the safety of night parking.

Energy-saving measures: Select energy-saving lighting fixtures, such as LED lights, which have the advantages of low energy consumption, long lifespan and high luminous efficiency. Meanwhile, an intelligent lighting control system can be adopted to automatically adjust the brightness of the lamps according to different time periods and light intensities, achieving the purpose of energy conservation.

Safety design

Monitoring system: Install all-round surveillance cameras to conduct real-time monitoring of vehicles and personnel in the parking lot. Surveillance cameras should cover every corner of the parking lot to ensure there are no blind spots in the surveillance. The monitoring data should be kept for a certain period of time so that it can be queried in case of disputes or accidents.

Fire protection facilities: Equipped with complete fire protection facilities, such as fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, automatic sprinkler systems, etc. The layout of fire protection facilities should comply with relevant standards and be convenient for use in emergency situations. At the same time, obvious fire safety signs should be set up to guide the evacuation of people.

Intelligent management design

Parking space guidance system

Sensor setup: Install sensors on each parking space to monitor the usage status of the parking Spaces in real time. Sensors can adopt technologies such as ultrasonic waves and infrared rays to accurately determine whether there are cars parked in the parking space.

Information release: Parking space information is released to drivers through electronic display screens, mobile phone apps and other means. Drivers can quickly find available parking Spaces based on the information, reducing the time spent looking for parking Spaces and the distance the vehicle travels within the parking lot.

Charging Management System

Multiple charging methods: Supports various charging methods such as cash, bank cards, and mobile payment, making it convenient for drivers to pay. At the same time, it is necessary to achieve the automation and intelligence of toll collection, reduce manual intervention and improve the efficiency of toll collection.

Data statistics and analysis: The charging management system should have the function of data statistics and analysis, capable of collecting data such as the revenue of the parking lot, traffic volume, and parking space turnover rate. Through the analysis of these data, a basis can be provided for the management and optimization of parking lots.