Providing for access and circulation for pedestrians, automobiles, and service vehicles is an important aspect of site planning, which influences both the location of a building on its site and the orientation of its entrances. Outlined here and on the following pages are fundamental criteria for estimating and laying out the space required for walkways, roadways, and surface parking.
1.Provide for safe and convenient pedestrian access and movement to building entrances from parking areas or public transit stops with minimal crossing of roadways.
2.Determine the number of parking spaces required by the zoning ordinance for the type of occupancy and total number of units or floor area of the building.
3.Determine the number of accessible parking spaces as well as curb cuts and ramps required by local , state , or federal law.
4.Provide loading zones for buses and other public transportation vehicles where applicable.
5.Separate service and truck loading areas from pedestrian and automobile traffic.
6.Furnish access for emergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances.
7.Establish the required width and location of curb cuts and their proper distance from public street inter sections.
8.Ensure clear sight lines for vehicles entering public roadways.
9.Plan for control of access to parking areas where required.
10.Provide space for landscaping ;screening of parking areas may be required by zoning ordinance.
11.Slope paved walkways and parking areas for drainage.
12.Provide space for snow removal equipment in cold climates.
lllustration adapted from the site plan for the
Carre House, designed by Alvar Aalto.