5 Key Ways Your Car Park’s Design Impacts Driver Experience
It's easy to overlook, but the design of your car park holds a lot of sway over how good or bad an experience your visitors have. A better experience leads to positive word-of-mouth, more return visits, and a stronger reputation, all of which result in higher profits down the line. That's why it's so important to design a car park that puts the experience of your visitors at the forefront.
We've put together five ways in which the design of your car park directly impacts how drivers feel, as well as tips on how you can make these aspects even better. Let's dive in!
1. Traffic Flow and Layout
The layout of your car park has a big impact on how smooth – or frustrating – your visitors' experience will be. A well-designed layout with clear signage and easy-to-follow directions can create smoother traffic flow and reduce instances of drivers getting stuck in dead ends. On the other hand, a confusing layout increases the chances of visitors taking a wrong turn, parking where they shouldn't, or even colliding with another car.
Here are some essential things to consider when planning your car park's layout:
- Parking spaces
- Aisles
- Entrances
- Exits
2. Parking Space Configuration
Of course, it's not just about how you position your parking spaces – their size also plays a big role in how much visitors enjoy using your car park.
Wider parking spaces, for example, can make it easier for drivers to park without feeling cramped or anxious about hitting neighbouring vehicles. Setting them at an angle or diagonally can also promote better visibility when entering and exiting the space.
It's a good idea to avoid having too many parking spaces that require more difficult manoeuvres to use, such as parallel parking. These can discourage visitors who are looking for a simpler and more convenient parking experience.
3. Lighting and Visibility
Making sure your car park is well-lit is crucial for creating a safe and comfortable atmosphere, especially if it's underground or open at night – nobody likes parking in the dark!
When there's not enough light, it can lead to shadows and dark spots, making it harder to see and increasing the chances of accidents. On the flip side, well-lit areas make drivers feel more at ease and confident to use your car park.
Good lighting is also key to deterring criminal activity on your premises; a dim, shadowy car park is much more appealing to criminals than a well-lit one.
4. Signage
Car parks can be large and complex, with multiple floors and aisles to navigate. Obstacles like pillars and walls can make it even harder for visitors to see where they're going, risking wrong turns, missed spaces, and a lot of frustration. Couple that with a dozen other drivers having the same problem and trouble is inevitable!
To avoid this, make sure to have clear, well-placed signs with easily understandable symbols and directions throughout. These can help make it easier for visitors to navigate their way around and to remember where they've parked.
Useful car park signage includes:
- Entrance and exit signs
- Directional arrows
- Pedestrian crossing signs
- Disabled parking space signs
- Electric vehicle charging signs
- Reserved parking signs
- Signs detailing payment details
5. Safety Features
Your car park should always make the safety of pedestrians a priority. Well-marked pedestrian pathways, crosswalks, and designated walkways can help prevent accidents and promote a pedestrian-friendly environment. Additionally, amenities such as sidewalks, ramps, elevators, and accessible parking spaces for individuals with disabilities can enhance the overall user experience.
For added security, think about installing ANPR or security cameras. Not only do these measures deter crime, but they also collect valuable evidence you can share with the police if needed.
Talk to the Experts in Car Park Design at Britannia Parking
At Britannia Parking, we have years of experience designing safe, user-friendly, and profitable car parks – just read through our case studies to see what we've achieved in the past!
Whether you're looking to turn your vacant land into a new car park or upgrade your existing one, you can rely on us to help you unlock the full potential of your space. Our experts will create a layout that seamlessly embodies all the qualities mentioned above, from creating a traffic-friendly layout to installing proper lighting systems.
We're also happy to implement other ways you can improve the safety and functionality of your space, including cutting-edge ANPR systems and round-the-clock monitoring services. Whatever you're looking to get out of your car park, we're here to make it a reality.
Ready to get started? Book a consultation with our team today!