Does your parking lot overflow on busy days? Do customers grumble about the lack of parking? If so, your first instinct may be to immediately expand your parking. Before calling the parking lot line striping services to stripe an enlarged lot, pause and consider the bigger picture. According to Fast Company, a business media brand, there are about eight parking spaces for every car nationally. However, adding parking spaces impacts more than just the physical footprint of your lot. This blog will explore the many factors to weigh before taking the leap to expand your parking.

Evaluate Current Usage

Step one is taking an honest look at how your current lot is utilized. Observe over several weeks and record the ebb and flow of parking. Are the same spots filled all day? Are prime spots full while the back sits empty? Does overflow mostly happen at peak times? Crunching the numbers will reveal whether the lack of parking is consistent or just occasional. Don't rely on assumptions or one-off observations. Hard data through parking studies provides the true picture, so you can determine if more spaces are truly needed or if better lot management might solve the problems.

Consider Future Expansion

While evaluating present needs is important, you also have to think about future needs. Is your business projected to grow substantially over the next few years? Do you plan to hire a lot more staff or expect a major uptick in customers? If major growth is expected, build that into your plans now. It's prudent to leave room in your lot layout and design to accommodate future expansion. Incrementally adding parking as needed is always preferable to trying to shoehorn in more spots later. Anticipate future needs, so parking can grow along with your business.

Evaluate Accessibility

An expanded lot must still be user-friendly. Look critically at entrances, exits, and traffic flow patterns. Will crowding in more spaces cause bottlenecks or congestion issues? New spots should also be conveniently accessible for customers. Parking far out won't be fully utilized. Remember to follow ADA guidelines for handicapped parking design. Allow room for wheelchair ramps and easy access to entrances. Quickly darting in and out boosts customer satisfaction. Carefully evaluate accessibility.

Research Regulations

Most municipalities require permits for commercial parking lot expansion. Don't skip this step. Be sure to check local regulations and secure all necessary approvals before expanding your lot. The permitting process can be lengthy, so start it early if you need new parking ASAP. Provide the parking lot line striping services contractor with copies of permits so they can follow all codes and requirements during striping and paving. Cutting corners on permits can delay opening new spaces or lead to expensive changes. Do your homework to avoid issues.

Consider Costs

Expanding parking has upfront costs that can't be ignored. Be sure to get quotes from several highly rated, professional paving and striping contractors. Ask about their experience, licensing, insurance coverage, and warranties. While the lowest bid may be tempting, quality workmanship is critical. Paying a bit more now for durability, proper drainage, and design will save money and headaches down the road. Don't let subpar contractors botch the job.

Study Environmental Impacts

While parking is a must for businesses, more parking does have environmental costs. Paved surfaces can mean less absorption of rainwater. Parking lots also contribute to urban heat islands due to the lack of shade trees. Be proactive about offsetting environmental impacts through the use of porous pavement materials, rain gardens, trees, and other greenery. Sustainable design is smart business.

Explore Alternatives

Sometimes, conventional parking lot expansion isn't the best or only solution. Consider alternatives like stacked or mechanized parking to maximize spots vertically rather than horizontally. This preserves precious land and facilitates maneuvering in tight lots. Valet parking can also boost capacity without expanding the footprint. Encourage carpooling, transit, biking, and other programs to reduce parking demand in the first place. Creative solutions exist if you think outside the asphalt box.

The decision to add more parking should not be taken lightly. Carefully weigh current and future needs, costs, regulations, accessibility, sustainability, and alternatives. This thoughtful approach will ensure smart expansion tailored to your business now and in the future. When you're ready to expand your parking lot space, Alto Construction can help with asphalt paving and parking lot line striping services. Call now to get an estimate.