Part 13: Parking control

Last updated: December 2007. This document ceases to be a controlled document when printed. Please refer to the current version at www.landtransport.govt.nz

5  Design elements

5.3  Space requirements for design vehicles and users

There are a number of standard space requirements for specific vehicle types. The following information on design layouts for parallel and angle parking dimensions is taken from AS/NZS 2890.1:2004 or AS 2890.5 unless noted otherwise. Design requirements are the basic minimum standard for New Zealand conditions and their use should be considered with respect to the ‘Design considerations’ in section 4. For instance, when providing reserved spaces for use by the disabled or ‘parent and child’ vehicle parking spaces, parking bays will need to be larger than the minimum dimensions for ‘standard vehicles’. Furthermore, when designing and providing parking bays, vehicle tracking (or turning) movements should be taken into account.

5.3.1      Parallel parking

Parallel parking adjacent to the kerbside in the direction of the traffic flow is a common form of on-street parking. The recommended minimum space requirements for different types of vehicle are shown in table 5.2.

Table 5.2 Preferred parking space lengths for parallel parking

Note: The Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002 limits standard vehicles with their loads to a maximum height of 4.25 m. Normal clearance provided for most parking facilities is 4.5 m. For other dimensions and clearances, also refer to section 5.3 in AS/NZS 2890.1: 2004.

Vehicle type	Space length (A) (m)	Space width (B) (m)	Notes
Standard vehicle (car/van)	5.4/6.0	2.5	AS 2890.5: 1993 (on-road) has three different lengths depending on the location of the parking space. 5.4 m is the nominal space length and is used in standard layouts for on-road parking at end of bay and 6.0 m is used for middle parking bay. See AS 2890.5:1993 for further information. Spaces adjacent to walls or other obstructions can have their width increased by 300 mm on the side of the obstruction.
Taxis	5.4	2.5	For taxi bays, use 5.4n + 1.0 where n = number of taxis along taxi stands (AS 2890.5: 1993).
Disabled (on-street)	6.0	2.5	Design requirements are taken from NZS 4121:2001. Any variations on standard parking dimensions such as rear-mounted hoists should be investigated further. Use standard vehicle length requirements to accommodate any variations in vehicle. The minimum length requirement in NZS 4121:2001 is at least 5 m; however, good practice is 6 m. Furthermore, under subparagraph 12.4(8)(a)(ii) of the TCD Rule, a reserved parking area such as that provided for disabled users cannot have the parallel marking more than 3 m from the kerb or roadway edge. However, this is only for the width of the parking bay, and the turning circle is not provided for within the 3 m width; an additional 1.5 m should be provided for this.
Disabled (off-street)	6.0	3.5
Bus	12.0	2.5	For bus bay length, use (n * l) where n = number of buses using the bay simultaneously and l = length of vehicle. As a guide, use 12 m for single unit rigid buses and 18–20 m for articulated buses. Consider taper lengths of 15 m on approach and 15–30 m on departure. It is recommended the dimensions of the local vehicle fleet are confirmed prior to design.
Coach (using articulated vehicle)	19.0	3.5	Descriptions of vehicle type are taken from AS2890.2:2002 (and included in the definition). Dimensions are taken from table 4.1 for service bays.
Truck (small rigid vehicle)	6.4	3.5
Truck (medium rigid vehicle)	8.8	3.5
Car towing trailer	12.5	2.5
Truck (large rigid vehicle)	13.5	3.5
Truck (articulated vehicle)	18–20	3.5
Bicycle	2.0	1.2
Motorcycle	2.5	1.2

5.3.2  Angle parking

Angle parking is used where there is sufficient roadway width. It permits the accommodation of a larger number of parking spaces in comparison with parallel parking. The angle of the park can vary from 30° to 90° depending on the type of environment and width of roadway.

Table 5.3 Preferred parking space lengths for angle parking

Vehicle type	Space length (A) (m)				Space width (B) (m)
Angle of park (C)	30°	45°	60°	90°	30°	45°	60°	90°
Standard vehicle (car/van) (Using dimensions from the Medium Use Category in AS 2890.5:1993)	5.4	5.4	5.4	5.4	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
Disabled	5.4	5.4	5.4	5.4	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
Bus	Not applicable
Truck (small rigid vehicle) (SRV)	Not applicable (see AS 2890.5:1993 where it states that ‘if kerbside parking is required then parallel parking is the only practicable configuration’) Descriptions of vehicle type are taken from AS 2890.2:2002. Dimensions are taken from table 4.1 for service bays.
Truck (medium rigid vehicle) (MRV)
Truck (large rigid vehicle) (LRV)
Truck Articulated Vehicle (TRV)

< previous | next >