Should You Mix Angled Parking With Straight Parking?

Parking seems to be one of those things that consistently raises people's anxiety levels. People want parking that's close to the entrance or exit, that's easy to find, and that's in good condition, rather than cracked and poorly marked. The spots in your car park can't meet everyone's standards because the concept of what qualifies as close, and so on, changes for each person. However, you can try to make your car park friendlier to more people by allowing for some variation. For example, you might want to consider marking part of the stalls with diagonal lines and others with perpendicular/straight lines.

People Have Their Preferences

Some people don't care whether they have to make a right angle to turn into a spot, while others prefer the gentler angle of a spot that's diagonal to the aisle. Having to park in a type of spot that they don't find optimal can be annoying to many on a subconscious level, and it could make those people think a little more poorly of your car park in general.

If you can include sections with both types of spots, then you have something for everyone. Those who don't mind the tighter turn into a straight parking spot can head for these sections, while those who prefer angled parking can head to those sections. And you don't have to have a huge lot to do this; as long as your lot has room for two or more aisles, you can have both types.

Avoid Confusion Near Entrances and Exits

Entering a parking lot only to find that you can't turn into the nearest aisle because the spots are angled the wrong way is confusing and can lead to an increase in accidents as people make the turn before they realise which way the spots are pointing. What you might want to try is having straight spots near each entrance and exit to your lot and angled sections in the middle so that people trying to park quickly can just turn into the nearest aisle and find a parking place. Those who prefer angled parking can proceed to the centre of the lot.

Using Up That Odd Leftover Space

Perhaps you just want to mark the stalls in your car park with one style of space, such as rows of straight parking spots on either side of a two-way aisle. But you might have this odd leftover strip on one end that's too narrow for that. Instead of having one row of straight spaces with a narrow aisle, make that row angled. That frees up a little more room for a wider driving aisle, which can make people feel calmer and less hemmed in.

Whichever type of marking you want, make sure the lines are clean and very visible. When you arrange to paint car park lines in your lot, discuss arrows, bike lane lines, pedestrian zones, and more.


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