There are a number of car park types available for carpark surfacing. These include underground, Restricted, and Private. Knowing the differences between these car park types can help you choose the most appropriate one. Whether you’re building a car park for your business or personal needs, there are a number of options available.
Restricted car park types
Restricted car park types are those that restrict the number of vehicles allowed to park in them. These types of car parks should have signs that indicate the nature of their use, their fees and the time limits for each activity. They should also include information on the fines that may be imposed if a car park is not open to the public for any reason.
Restricted car parks should be mapped as areas and separated from the road. They should also have distinctly-marked segments that allow cars to enter and exit. This mapping should not include on-street parking as this will be covered during a future phase of the Parking Project.
Private car park types
There are various types of private car parks which can use carpark surfacing. The most popular configuration is parking in line. This layout allows access to parking spaces on both sides of a central access lane. This configuration works best for two-way traffic and is suitable for most urban car parks. It also provides the best ratio of parking space per sqm. You can also vary the view of the car park plan to maximise space and optimise vehicle manaouverability.
Private car parks must conform to certain requirements. There may be a minimum number of parking spaces required depending on the size of the building and the number of occupants. Moreover, parking spaces should be clearly demarcated and have a clear route. There should also be signage guiding users and displaying information about charges.
Underground car park types
There are several types of underground car parks which make carpark surfacing more challenging. These parking facilities can be built using a steel sheet pile structure or a concrete floor. Steel sheet piles have the benefit of being able to withstand vertical bearing loads. They are also suitable for deep basement car parks. Depending on the type of structure, these underground car parks can be a single or multi-storey structure.
The construction stage and the completed structure should be considered when planning the stability of a car park. If the ground level is not yet stable, temporary plan bracing may be necessary until the floor slab is sufficiently strong to support the weight of cars. Also, relevant codes of practice for construction materials should be followed to ensure that the car park structures are robust. These include Approved Document A (UK building code) and SCI P391 (codes for construction materials).
Premium car park types
Premium car parks are available at certain premium locations of busier towns in south and north terminals. To enter these parking areas, you must purchase a ticket and present it at the barrier on arrival. Height restrictions are in place for both premium car park types, and vehicles must be 1.8 m or less in height.