Taxonomy and description

Public roads often provide the main parking supply in the form of on-street parking. The location and availability of on-street spaces and their use can be regulated, priced and/or restricted by local authorities. They must work within central government guidelines, taking into account road safety, traffic flow, public transport provision and movement, local economy, needs of residents and access of emergency services and other concerns (Valleley, 1997; Traffic Act 1991; DfT, 1995).

The number of on-street parking spaces within a length of kerb can be increased or decreased by changing the size of any marked spaces and the angle relative to the kerb. This angle can vary from 180 degree (parallel to kerb) to 90 degree (end-on to kerb) according to width and function of the road (Figure 1).

It is quicker to park in angled parking, and more spaces can be fitted into a unit length of road than parallel parking. But it has a greater impact on traffic flows as it takes up more road width and has higher accident potential as drivers have to reverse out into moving traffic.

The correct size of the parking spaces has been much investigated and discussed. Motorists prefer larger bays to park. However this means fewer spaces per km, higher cost per unit and longer distances to walk to/from cars. Typical synthesis in the UK suggests a normal space width of some 2.4 metres and length of 5 to 5.5 metres. Figure 1 shows the length and width requirements for various degrees of on-street parking spaces and typical manoeuvres required for the access and egress to these spaces (Valleley, 1997).

Kerbside Parking Bay Sizes (Based on Young (1990), in Valleley (1997))

Off-street parking is a special facility (multi-storey) or area (surface) that is dedicated for parking. They have, in theory, sufficient capacity at access points to accommodate incoming traffic without back-up into the street and sufficient egress capacity to maximise parking utilization. However problems arise if queues block back onto the main road network either because demand exceeds supply of spaces or due to poor access arrangements.

In contrast to on-street parking, off-street parking can be publicly or privately owned. The location and access (and egress) arrangements of new private parking supply is regulated and controlled through the planning process. (See: Parking Standards for New Developments in KonSULT website (Hyperlink) ). Parking standards for various locations and different use are prepared by local authorities and an example is shown in Appendix 1. Parking Standards

Regulation of existing private off-street parking can be very difficult, as local authorities generally do not have any jurisdiction over privately owned and operated car parks, though the authorities are responsible for addressing the congestion caused by users.

The type of parking provided tends to be influenced by location; in city centres, short-stay parking is located close to key destinations, whereas long stay is generally provided as off-street and located further out to reduce congested and keep commuter traffic out. Many councils have transformed long stay on-street parking to short stay parking to increase car access to important economic activities located in city centres.

Oxford , Worcester and St Albans are amongst the areas that have increased short-stay provision at the expense of long-stay in the city centre to increase turnover and maximise the spending levels associated with parking spaces. To maintain accessibility and competitiveness they are developing high quality park and ride facilities to accommodate displaced long-stay motorists.

Park and Ride

Cycle and Motorcycle Parking

Lorry Parking

Conventional signs are commonly used for giving directions and simple information for the location of on / off-street parking. Vertical and horizontal kerbside signs are used to mark the parking bays and indicate the restrictions on on-street spaces. This includes no parking zigzags, single or double yellow/red lines, disabled parking only bays, resident permits only or loading / unloading only.

See also:

Parking Charges