Parking space
Encyclopedia
A parking space is a location that is designated for parking
, either paved or unpaved.
Parking spaces can be in a parking garage, in a parking lot
or on a city street
. It is usually designated by a white-paint-on-tar rectangle indicated by three lines at the top, left and right of the designated area. The automobile fits inside the space, either by parallel parking
, perpendicular parking or angled parking.
Depending on the location of the parking space, there can be regulations regarding the time allowed to park and a fee paid to use the parking space. When the demand for spaces outstrips supply vehicles may overspill park
onto the sidewalk
, grass verges and other places which were not designed for the purpose.
In North America, the width of angled and perpendicular parking spaces usually ranges from 2.3 to 2.75 m (7.5 to 9 ft). For example, normal parking spaces in the city of Dallas, Texas
are 8.5 feet wide, while compact spaces are 7.5 feet wide. Because the boundary between parking space and driving area is not always well-defined, the length of a parking space is more difficult to establish. However, most angled and perpendicular spaces are considered to be between 3.2 and(-) in length. Parallel parking spaces are typically cited as being approximately 2.76 metres (9.1 ft) wide by 6.1 metres (20 ft) long.
During construction, the specific dimensions of a parking space are decided by a variety of factors. A high cost of land will encourage smaller dimensions and the introduction of compact spaces.
Parking spaces commonly contain a parking chock
(wheel stop), which is used to prevent cars from pulling too far into the space and
This barrier is usually made of concrete
and will normally be a horizontal bar to stop the tires from moving forward or a vertical bar that may cause damage to the vehicle if contact is made. In a parking garage, the barrier will often be a concrete wall.
Some parking spaces are reserved as handicapped parking
, for individuals with disabilities
. Handicapped parking spaces are typically marked with the International Symbol of Access
, though in practice, the design of the symbol varies widely.
In the United States the Access Board provides guidelines on parking spaces in the Accessible Rights-of-Way: A Design Guide, Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Right-of-Way and ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG).
Parking
Parking is the act of stopping a vehicle and leaving it unoccupied for more than a brief time. Parking on one or both sides of a road is commonly permitted, though often with restrictions...
, either paved or unpaved.
Parking spaces can be in a parking garage, in a parking lot
Parking lot
A parking lot , also known as car lot, is a cleared area that is intended for parking vehicles. Usually, the term refers to a dedicated area that has been provided with a durable or semi-durable surface....
or on a city street
Street
A street is a paved public thoroughfare in a built environment. It is a public parcel of land adjoining buildings in an urban context, on which people may freely assemble, interact, and move about. A street can be as simple as a level patch of dirt, but is more often paved with a hard, durable...
. It is usually designated by a white-paint-on-tar rectangle indicated by three lines at the top, left and right of the designated area. The automobile fits inside the space, either by parallel parking
Parallel parking
thumb|250px|right|Parallel-parked cars in [[Washington, D.C.]]thumb|250px|right|A motorist gets assistance parallel-parkingParallel parking is a method of parking a vehicle in line with other parked cars. Cars parked in parallel are in one line, parallel to the curb, with the front bumper of each...
, perpendicular parking or angled parking.
Depending on the location of the parking space, there can be regulations regarding the time allowed to park and a fee paid to use the parking space. When the demand for spaces outstrips supply vehicles may overspill park
Overspill parking
Overspill parking is the parking of vehicles beyond the main area provided for the purpose. It can occur because provided parking spaces are insufficient for demand or considered unsatisfactory for some reason...
onto the sidewalk
Sidewalk
A sidewalk, or pavement, footpath, footway, and sometimes platform, is a path along the side of a road. A sidewalk may accommodate moderate changes in grade and is normally separated from the vehicular section by a curb...
, grass verges and other places which were not designed for the purpose.
Space size
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
are 8.5 feet wide, while compact spaces are 7.5 feet wide. Because the boundary between parking space and driving area is not always well-defined, the length of a parking space is more difficult to establish. However, most angled and perpendicular spaces are considered to be between 3.2 and(-) in length. Parallel parking spaces are typically cited as being approximately 2.76 metres (9.1 ft) wide by 6.1 metres (20 ft) long.
During construction, the specific dimensions of a parking space are decided by a variety of factors. A high cost of land will encourage smaller dimensions and the introduction of compact spaces.
Barriers
Chock (wheel)
Wheel chocks are wedges of sturdy material placed behind a vehicle's wheels to prevent accidental movement. Chocks are placed for safety in addition to setting the brakes. The bottom surface is sometimes coated in rubber to enhance grip with the ground. For ease of removal, a rope may be tied...
(wheel stop), which is used to prevent cars from pulling too far into the space and
- obstructing a neighboring parking space, curb, or sidewalk.
- contacting with and then damaging a building wall.
This barrier is usually made of concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
and will normally be a horizontal bar to stop the tires from moving forward or a vertical bar that may cause damage to the vehicle if contact is made. In a parking garage, the barrier will often be a concrete wall.
Disabled parking spaces
Disabled parking permit
A disabled parking permit, also known as a handicapped permit, disabled placard, disabled badge and "Blue Badge" in the European Union, is displayed upon parking a vehicle carrying a person whose mobility would be otherwise significantly impaired by one or more of age, illness, disability or...
, for individuals with disabilities
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
. Handicapped parking spaces are typically marked with the International Symbol of Access
International Symbol of Access
The International Symbol of Access , also known as the Wheelchair Symbol, consists of a blue square overlaid in white with a stylized image of a person using a wheelchair...
, though in practice, the design of the symbol varies widely.
In the United States the Access Board provides guidelines on parking spaces in the Accessible Rights-of-Way: A Design Guide, Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Right-of-Way and ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG).