Designing the Optimal Placement of Spaces in a Parking Lot

A Freshman Engineering Design Project
Developed by Dr. Charles L. Karr, The University of Alabama

                                             Click here for the PDF version of the lesson

Overview:

The owner of a paved, 100 ft x 200 ft, corner parking lot in a New England town needs her parking lot designed.  She needs someone to design the layout, or how the lines will be painted.  Each student team is being “hired” to do this.

Learning Objectives or Student Outcomes:

By the end of this project, students will be able to
 

1.   Design an effective parking lot using given specifications and considerations;

2.   Work as a team to present the design to the class; and
3.   Work as a team to complete a detailed written project report.

Length of Lesson:
 

The length of the lesson will depend upon how much in-class time is devoted to it and on how much out-of-class time the instructor deems appropriate.  It shouldn’t take more than a few weeks. 

Teams of 4 work best; if necessary, teams of 3 or 5 students may be formed.

How is positive interdependence ensured?

Each team will be turning in one parking lot design and one written report. 

How is individual accountability built in to the project?

Individual accountability can be ensured through random calling on students or peer assessments.  Another idea is to require each student to submit his/her own report detailing the parking lot design, rather than having the group complete one together.
 
Basis or Components of Assessment:

Each team will

         ●   do a brief (10 minute) in-class presentation of its design.
         ●   submit a report (5 pages maximum) detailing its design

Team Skills Needed for Success:

Cooperation, communication
 
How Are Team Skills Emphasized?

These skills are emphasized by the need for cooperation and communication in the creation of a collaborative parking lot design.  Whether the students complete the written report together or separately, these skills will be emphasized—either because each student wants to be involved in the successful outcome of the group report or because each student wants to be sure he/she knows what is going on so that they can effectively write an individual report.

Materials Needed by Students:

·         Drawing software program (if students choose to turn in their final designs in this way)

·         Paper, pencils, pens, rulers, etc. (for creation of designs by hand)

·         PowerPoint (or another presentation software program) if they choose to present their designs in this way.

Multimedia Needs for Instructor:

         •PowerPoint (or other chosen presentation software programs) for student presentation of designs (if students choose to present this way)
         ●   Overhead projection system to accommodate presentations via presentation software programs

Content Lesson Links:

Instruction to Students

Frequently Asked Questions  

                                        Lesson   |   Instruction to Students |  Frequently Asked Questions  

©2002, Charles L. Karr
These materials may be duplicated for educational purposes if properly credited.