Parking Lots Badly Done

My genetic predisposition is in line with Joni Mitchell's lament that "they paved paradise and put up a parking lot." However, since parking lots are part of our current existence I would like to suggest that they should and could be better designed.

A goal of most parking lots is to encourage vehicle/pedestrian collisions! Virtually every customer entering or leaving a store has to cross the traffic of cars entering or leaving the parking lot. Most every car entering the parking lot passes in front of the store to get to a parking spot. Then the driver (now shopper) has to cross the same lanes on foot to get to the entrance of the store.

Just stand and watch traffic for two minutes the next time you visit the supermarket. The frustration of both drivers and pedestrians is visible on their faces. If the weather is warm enough for windows to be down, frustration and anger can be heard as well.

The driver has pulled in off a busy street and isn't really prepared to deal with pedestrians sharing the lane in unpredictable ways. The driver is in a fast mindset and sees snail-like pedestrians blocking up where cars should go. However, shoppers have already parked and are walking. They are preparing to enter the store to shop for their family. They are in a slow mindset and perceive drivers as impatient speed demons who need to chill out.

Parking lots can be constructed to minimize vehicle/walker interactions. All new lots should be built to be safer and more pleasant places, and most existing parking lots can re-designed with minimal cost.

Here is how: Create vehicle free pedestrian lanes passing from the central part of the parking lot to the front of the store. Cars can enter the lot near the store but must turn immediately into the parking area. Drivers who have parked walk to the central walk area to approach and return from the store. Cars can also enter and leave the lot from openings on the side of the lot furthest from the store. [See diagrams in next post].

As far as I can figure, without having consulted any parking lot designers or civil engineers, the reason for the current configuration is to maintain an open and accessible fire lane for emergency vehicles immediately in front of the store. The fire lane can be maintained while prohibiting other vehicle traffic. Vividly painted stripes and signs can alert drivers of the fire lane, and entrances just big enough for emergency vehicles could discourage cars from driving there. Perhaps speed bumps, easily moved barriers, or light weight plastic chain spanning the entrance could be used to deter drivers but still allow emergency vehicles.

Walker friendly parking lots would reduce vehicle-pedestrian collisions and lower the number of times emergency vehicles need to go to the supermarket!