Parents must contend with car seats, strollers, and children when navigating busy parking lots. Thoughtful attention to the needs of a family can positively impact user-based parking design practices. Here are some common family-friendly parking solutions:
Wide Parking Spaces
Family parking emphasizes large spaces that accommodate parents’ physical needs. Wider parking spaces allow doors to open fully, reducing the risk of impact with other cars. Parents do not have to squeeze between vehicles to install or uninstall child safety seats. The additional space can also be used to load or unload items such as strollers, diaper bags, and picnic equipment. Families with more than one child can manage the entry and exit process more safely and effectively in these zones.
Wider bays are also designed to accommodate caregivers with companions of older age, mobility issues, or carrying medical equipment that requires additional space to maneuver. Extra space can be time-saving in case of readjustment or gear relocation, helping users move from parking spaces to pedestrian walkways more quickly. This helps improve safety within a parking facility.
Access to Entrances
Family parking spaces near building or garage entrances help reduce physical and safety hazards to parents and children. Short walking distances are also helpful when managing mobile toddlers, individuals with disabilities, and heavy objects like strollers or groceries. It reduces the time families must spend in high-traffic areas that pose a higher safety risk to younger individuals. These spaces also improve accessibility during adverse weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or scorching heat, and limit exposure to vulnerable individuals. Spaces located near entrances are frequently barrier-free, with cut curbs and a more seamless transition into the indoor space. This makes it easier to navigate crossings with strollers or mobility devices.
Signs and Markings
Adequate signage systems help reduce hesitation and confusion when looking for open parking spaces or garage exits. Directional arrows aid in garage navigation and indicate the nearest elevators or crosswalks. Efficient visual systems help facilitate smooth traffic flow, resulting in less stressful and more organized parking. Keeping garages and lots well-lit verifies that signs remain visible.
Some spaces are reserved for families, and these are usually marked with icons representing strollers, parents, or children. Family zones may be characterized by colorful paint, featuring yellow, green, or blue to distinguish them from regular parking spaces. Reflective signs enhance their visibility in fog, dim light conditions, and heavy rains, helping maintain visibility. For facilities that serve diverse communities, multilingual signs help avoid confusion among various cultural and linguistic groups.
Enhanced Protection
Many modern parking facilities with family-friendly features also support enhanced security systems. Some key security features include:
- Adequate lighting: This helps eliminate dark spaces and enhances visibility, minimizing accident risks.
- Surveillance cameras: Regular facility monitoring helps deter theft and vandalism. It can also assist with claim resolution in the event of an accident.
- Physical barriers: Bollards and railings separate pedestrians from active roadways, helping protect children in high-traffic areas.
- Assistance pedestals: Emergency assistance points can be installed in facilities to provide users with a designated location to call for assistance, especially when phone service is limited.
- Security guards: Guards on patrol provide extra security and enhance the safety of family zones, particularly late at night.
- Non-slip floor coatings: Non-slippery floors reduce the likelihood of falling, which is beneficial for toddlers or older relatives with limited mobility.
Find Family-Friendly Parking
Family-friendly parking is a wise investment that helps enhance accessibility, security, and the overall customer experience. Design elements like wider bays, easy access points, and additional safety features also promote family safety as they navigate busy garages. Contact a parking provider today to learn more about family-friendly parking.
