Parking space

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Standard parking spaces in an American parking lot.

A parking space is a location that is designated for parking. This can be in a parking garage or in a parking lot or on a city street. It is usually designated by a white-paint-on-tar rectangle. The automobile fits inside the space, either by parallel parking, perpendicular parking or angle parking. The typical small or compact stall is about 275 square feet (25 m²), while the average stall is about 325 square feet (30 m²).^[1] Note that this area includes the area for parking stall plus the circulation areas, end of aisle areas/landscaping. Common angled or perpendicular parking stalls are 8 to 9 feet (2.4-2.75 m) wide by 16 to 18 feet (4.9-5.5 m) long. Some spaces can be as narrow as 7.5 feet and as wide as 10 feet. The choice of specific parking dimensions depends upon the function of the parking - the greater the use of the space (high turnover) and/or more retail customer in nature - the larger dimensions are commonly utilized.

A typical parking space adjacent to the curb (parallel) is 8 feet (2.4 m) wide by 20 feet (6.1 m) long. Parallel spaces are commonly marked 7 to 8 feet (2.1-2.4 m) wide. The length of parallel spaces are commonly marked 22 to 26 feet (6.7-7.9 m) long to account for entry and exit maneuvering. The Manual on Traffic Control Devicesprovides examples of possible markings of parallel parking spaces in the United States.

Some parking spaces are typically reserved as handicapped parking, for individuals with disabilities. In the United States the Access Board provides guidelines on parking spaces in the Accessible Rights-of-Way: A Design Guide, Revised Draft Guidelines for Accessibile Public Right-of-Wayand ADA Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities (ADAAG).

[edit] US curb markings

Curb markings in the United States are prescribed by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices(MUTCD) ^[2]. Local highway agencies may prescribe special colors for curb markings to supplement standard signs for parking regulation. California has designated an array of colors for curb regulations. A white curb designates passenger pick up or drop off. The green curb is for time limited parking. The yellow curb is for loading, and the blue curb is for disabled persons with proper vehicle identification. The red curb is for emergency vehicles only - fire lanes (no stopping, standing, or parking). In Oregon yellow curb is utilized to indicated no parking. In Seattle, Washington, alternating red and yellow curb markings indicates a bus stop.