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
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
For what kind of company will the lot be?
A:
Although there may well be some situations in which this
information is important, it simply is not available.
Unfortunately, the group for which we are working has not
made a final decision as to the type of enterprise they will
be developing. Amazingly enough, I have been led to believe
that the final decision will come down to a plumbing supply
business or a specialty shop for lampshades.
Q:
Does the company receive deliveries via large trucks?
A:
The company may well receive deliveries via trucks.
However, the trucks will not be of the eighteen-wheel type;
they will simply be on the order of panel trucks.
Q:
Where is the building in relation to the lot? (Do we need
fire lanes?)
A:
The building will be across the street from the parking
lot. You will not have to worry about including fire lanes.
Q:Is the lot a corner lot?
A:
The lot is a corner lot. However, please be careful about
making implications from this information. The lot has a
single entrance. This entrance is located in the middle of
one of the long sides of the parking lot (in the middle of
the 200 foot long side).
Q:Is there a dumpster that must be
emptied from inside the lot?
A:
There is no trash dumpster involved in this effort. You
need not consider a dumpster.
Q:Are handicapped spaces
needed/required?
A:
You will need to include three handicapped spaces in the
lot.
Q:
Is there much traffic around the lot?
A:
Hmmmm…. Kind of difficult to answer. The parking lot is not
in downtown Atlanta, nor is it in Quincy, Florida. I guess
the lot is in an area with light to moderate traffic.
Q:Could we have a photograph/sketch
of an overhead view of the lot, building, and surrounding
area?
A:
No such photograph is available.
Q:Where is the building in relation
to the parking lot?
A:
The building will be on one of the 200 foot sides; more
specifically, it is on the side with the entrance.
