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

5.4  Vehicle classes

5.4.1  Taxi stand

As noted in section 5.3, taxi stand dimensions are similar to those required for standard vehicles. The signing and marking requirements for taxi stands are contained in section 6.

AS 2890.5 provides guidance on locating taxi stands, as well as the overall number of taxis to be catered for within a taxi stand.

5.4.2  Bus stops and bus or coach parking

Bus parking requirements should be based on either rigid or articulated vehicle designs, depending on the bus fleet in operation. Buses are generally treated the same as heavy vehicles with regard to base vehicle design. Dimensions for buses and coaches are described in section 5.3.

Coach parking should be provided where there has been a need identified, particularly in tourist locations and areas servicing entertainment facilities. The need for separate coach parking can also occur where the drivers otherwise attempt to park in a bus stop used by scheduled bus services. Coaches are larger than normal buses, with parking bay sizes similar to those required by articulated heavy vehicles (see section 5.3). Where there is limited space, sites can be designated drop-off or pick-up zones, with the coach directed to another area for long-term parking.

When locating bus stops, it is essential that consideration be given to providing sufficient footpath space to ensure that pedestrians (including mobility devices) waiting at the bus stop do not hinder the through passage of users of the footpath. Advice on the location and provision of school bus stops is provided in Land Transport NZ Traffic Note 44 ‘Safe siting of school bus stops’.

5.4.3  Heavy vehicle parking

Parking for heavy vehicles is generally created due to demand, rather than as part of a standard parking facility.

There are many different types of heavy vehicles and these must be assessed prior to developing any scheme that involves parking provision. Dimensions of these types of vehicles are prescribed in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Mass and Dimension 2002, while suggested parking bay dimensions are described in section 5.3. Further information on dimensions and design principles is contained in AS 2890.2: 2002.

5.4.4  Motorcycle parking

Motorcycle parking is typically provided where there has been a need identified, rather than as a standard requirement. It should be noted that difficulties can occur in attempting to implement and enforce fee-paying systems for motorcycle parking, including providing parking meters. In addition, motorcycles cannot always display parking tickets in a secure manner. Motorcycle parking can often be accommodated in spaces that are too constrained for other classes of motor vehicles.

The marking and signing requirements for motorcycle parking are included in section 6.

5.4.5   Cycle parking

Cycle parking facilities typically consist of stands, enclosures or lockers. Stands can be considered as short-term parking devices located in almost any position and can be suitable in locations with a high level of passive security, eg outside shops. Enclosures are communal compounds, used for instance at workplaces, providing protection from the weather and having a higher degree of security. Bike lockers provide a high level of security for individual cycles and are located for instance at passenger transport interchanges.

When providing cycle parking facilities on the footpath, care should be made with respect to ensuring that the facilities (with cycle attached) do not block the movements of others using the footpath. Stands should be placed a minimum distance of 1 m apart to ensure that two cycles can be attached to the stand (one on either side) and that access to the cycle is still maintained. Similarly, adequate space should be left at each end of the stand in order to allow safe and easy access (for instance, without having to stand in the road) and to ensure that the protruding wheels of parked cycles don’t encroach into the road.

5.4.6  Emergency service vehicles

If specifically designing for these larger types of vehicles (eg fire engines and ambulances), the parking bay dimensions will be similar to those of a large rigid vehicle, contained in section 5.5.

5.4.7  Others

There are other special types of vehicles that should be taken into consideration when developing parking requirements for a facility or area. These can include:

• Vehicles with trailers: Austroads Guide to traffic management, Part 11: Parking recommends these should be treated in the same manner as truck parking in relation to stall width and depth, tracking paths, etc. Dimensions can be found in AS 2890.2, while parking bay dimensions can be found in section 5.3.
• Motor-homes: There are some situations where parking needs to be provided for the overnight parking of vehicles, in particular, motor-homes. Parking associated with these kinds of vehicles for overnight use is typically catered for within off-street car parks that are normally close to empty at night. Special facilities may need to be provided for overnight parking requirements.

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