Parking lot design matters, whether for a new business paving for the first time or for an established company that wants to replace an existing lot. Before any work begins, the property owner can make sure their investment is an asset to the company. Here are four suggestions of what to consider during the planning stage.
Make It Accessible
The law requires every commercial property owner to ensure accessibility for customers with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires a minimum number of accessible parking spaces for commercial lots based on the business size. For example, parking lots with up to 25 spaces need a minimum of one accessible parking spot and one van-accessible spot.
ADA requirements can mean that medical facilities need more slots than other parking lots. Business owners may also want more accessible parking available than required by law, based on their customer demographics. All accessible parking spaces must have the shortest route to the business entrance and have the proper signage.
Think About Landscaping
A parking lot often covers a sizable percentage of the overall acreage of a property. Because of their size, parking lots can affect how the business’s exterior looks. Improvements to the appearance of a parking lot could be simple changes, or they may include upscale features.
Simple improvements could include something as minor as rounding the edges of the pavement. Some business owners may want more features like raised edging for a defined border. Landscaped medians between the rows, sidewalks around the perimeter, or paved walkways within the lot are other considerations to plan before paving begins.
Landscaping plans should also consider the risks of planting trees. Certain trees can have invasive roots that can damage pavement as they grow. Overgrown root systems can cause cracks in the parking area or on sidewalks.
Add More Security
A secure parking lot will make customers more comfortable and reduce the liability risk for the company. Security cameras in a well-lit lot may reduce the risk of car break-ins and thefts. They can also lower the danger posed by potential muggers or other criminal attacks on customers and employees.
Bright lighting and painted lanes and parking spaces also improve safety. Fewer accidents may occur when people can easily see where they need to go. Walkways and medians help remove foot traffic from driving areas to protect people entering and leaving the business.
Installing poles for the lights and mounting security cameras can affect the space available for parking. Businesses need to plan before paving to ensure adequate room for everything they need.
Plan for Durability
Design a parking lot to last. Heavy vehicles and standing water both pose a threat to asphalt and your parking lot. Address these concerns while planning the project.
Heavy trucks cause asphalt damage, and business owners need to address the concern. The business can ban all large trucks and post signs at the lot entrance. They could establish driving lanes for larger trucks with thicker pavement in those areas. The business can also have more pavement applied over the entire lot or plan for more upkeep each year to address any cracks.
Some landscaping alternatives and drainage solutions reduce the risk of water runoff onto the pavement and lower the risk of puddles on the pavement. If you reduce the amount of water that drains across the parking lot or sits on the surface, you may lower the wear and tear of the asphalt.
Parking lots play an important role in the success of any business. After your plans are complete, contact us at Pinnacle Paving to have us install your parking lot correctly. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can improve the quality of your parking lot.