Bus Parking Spaces: How Long Should They Be?

The dimensions of a bus parking space are important to consider when designing a bus storage facility. The length and width of each parking space need to accommodate the size of the buses, with additional space required for manoeuvring and maintenance. According to the Eloy, AZ Code of Ordinances, the minimum width for bus parking spaces is 12 feet, and the minimum length is 35 feet. However, other sources suggest that each parking spot should have 900 square feet of space and be 14 feet wide. When designing a bus parking lot, it is also essential to consider factors such as turning radius, pavement thickness, and runoff management.

School bus parking lot design

School bus parking lots are an important but often overlooked aspect of a school system. The design of the parking lot is crucial, as it serves as the first impression of the school for visitors and sets the tone for the overall feeling and atmosphere of the school. Here are some key considerations for designing a functional and effective school bus parking lot:

Space Requirements:

The size of the parking lot will depend on the number of buses that need to be accommodated. A typical 40-foot bus will require a parking space that is 14 feet wide, and each parking spot should have approximately 900 square feet of space. In addition, consideration should be given to manoeuvring space, with pull-through spaces preferred over backing up.

Lot Layout and Design:

The parking lot should be designed to maximise parking capacity while efficiently utilising the available space. Rectangular areas with long sides parallel to each other are recommended. Parking stalls along the perimeter and traffic lanes serving two rows of stalls can optimise space utilisation. The flow of traffic, including pedestrian traffic, should be carefully considered to ensure safety and convenience.

Pavement Thickness and Type:

The pavement structure must be selected based on the expected traffic and construction sequence. Special consideration should be given to areas that will accommodate heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks. The minimum pavement thickness designs should be followed to prevent excessive maintenance problems and pavement failure. Concrete is generally recommended over asphalt in bus parking areas due to its resistance to auto fluids, but permeable pavers offer a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution.

Turning Radius:

The turning radius of large buses should be considered to ensure they can manoeuvre easily within the parking lot. Software tools such as AutoTurn can assist in modelling the movement of vehicles and determining the required turning radius.

Drainage and Slope:

Adequate pavement drainage is critical to prevent saturation of the subgrade, which can lead to pavement failure. Surface and subsurface drainage must be carefully designed and installed early in the construction process. A minimum slope of 0.4% is recommended for paved surfaces, with a range of 2% to 5% suggested for optimal drainage.

Additional Facilities:

In addition to parking spaces, the school bus parking lot design should incorporate maintenance and storage facilities. It is recommended to have at least two maintenance bays, each measuring at least 60 feet long and 16 feet wide. The ceiling height should be a minimum of 18 feet to accommodate bus lifts, and at least two lifts are suggested. Other facilities to consider include washing bays, fuelling areas, driver lounges, supervisory offices, dispatch areas, and storage rooms for parts and flammable materials.

Concrete vs asphalt paving

A bus parking space should be a minimum of 12 feet wide and 35 feet long. When it comes to paving this parking space, concrete is generally recommended over asphalt. Here is a detailed comparison of the two paving options:

Concrete Paving

Concrete is a construction material made from Portland cement, aggregate (sand and gravel), and water. It forms a thick liquid called a concrete mix, which is used for various applications, including parking lots. Concrete parking lots offer several advantages. Firstly, they are highly durable and can last for over 40 years. This makes them ideal for accommodating heavy vehicles such as large trucks and RVs. Concrete is also better suited for warm climates due to its high albedo, which reflects sunlight and reduces the urban heat island effect. This can lead to lower energy costs for adjacent buildings.

Concrete parking lots require minimal maintenance, typically needing only joint sealing and annual cleaning. While the upfront costs of concrete are higher, its durability reduces the need for future repairs, resulting in long-term cost savings. Concrete also offers design flexibility, allowing for customization in colours, textures, stains, stamps, engravings, or tints. This design flexibility can enhance a brand's identity.

Additionally, concrete is energy-efficient due to its light-reflecting properties, reducing lighting installation costs. It also has a higher resale value compared to asphalt. However, one of the drawbacks of concrete is the longer and more costly installation process, which can take up to a week. Concrete is also susceptible to water damage and can be sensitive to frost heaves, requiring additional maintenance in freezing temperatures.

Asphalt Paving

Asphalt, on the other hand, is made up of approximately 95% aggregate of sand, crushed rocks, and gravel, bound with 5% petroleum-based bitumen. Asphalt paving has its own set of advantages. It is versatile and suitable for various applications beyond parking lots, including driveways, railway beds, airport runways, and roads. Asphalt installation is generally faster and less expensive, taking only a few days to complete. Repairs are also easier, as only the top layer usually needs to be replaced.

Asphalt provides improved safety, offering better protection against skids and snow due to its open-graded structure that facilitates water drainage. It has a long lifespan of up to 20-35 years with proper maintenance. Unlike concrete, asphalt is resistant to cold weather and damage from temperature changes. It absorbs more heat from the sun, melting snow and ice quickly. Asphalt also reduces traffic noise by up to 50% or three decibels.

Asphalt paving is aesthetically customizable, allowing businesses to dye the surface with various colours or engrave modern designs. However, asphalt paving has its drawbacks. It requires frequent repairs and preventive maintenance, as it is more susceptible to cracks, potholes, and rutting over time. In extreme heat, asphalt can soften and become oily. It is also less durable than concrete and can be damaged by gasoline leaks and stains.

Both concrete and asphalt paving have their strengths and weaknesses. Concrete is highly durable, ideal for warm climates, and requires minimal maintenance. On the other hand, asphalt is versatile, faster and less expensive to install, and offers improved safety and cold weather resistance. The choice between concrete and asphalt paving depends on various factors, including climate, intended use, project costs, and aesthetic preferences.

Turning radius

When it comes to parking a bus, it's like performing a well-coordinated dance, requiring precision and technique due to its larger size and extended length. The turning radius, or turning path, is the minimum amount of space needed for a vehicle to complete a turn. This is an important consideration in the design of parking lots, driveways, and other areas to ensure vehicles can manoeuvre safely.

The turning radius of a bus is influenced by its length, width, and height, and understanding these dimensions is crucial for parking in confined areas. The dimensions of a bus parking space should be a minimum of 12 feet (12') in width and 35 feet (35') in length. This allows for adequate space to perform turning manoeuvres.

To enhance turning capabilities, bus drivers can utilise techniques such as adjusting side mirrors to see the entire bus length, approaching tight spots at a slight angle to increase the turning radius, and using spotters or co-workers for real-time feedback when navigating obstacles.

In the context of urban planning and design, the turning radius of buses and other vehicles plays a crucial role in determining the width of roads, the layout of intersections, and the design of parking lots. It is essential to consider the varying sizes and capabilities of different vehicles to ensure safe and efficient traffic flow.

The turning radius of a bus is an important factor in designing parking facilities, especially those dedicated to bus storage and maintenance. Adequate space must be allocated not only for parking but also for manoeuvring, maintenance bays, tool storage, and other necessary functions. This comprehensive approach ensures efficient utilisation of space and promotes the safety and longevity of the buses.

Pavement thickness

Bus parking spaces are typically 12 feet wide and 35 feet long. When it comes to paving these parking spaces, concrete and asphalt are two common options. Concrete is more durable and can be easily cleaned, but it is brittle in cold weather and costly to maintain. Asphalt, on the other hand, is more susceptible to damage from auto fluids but is generally cheaper.

The thickness of pavement depends on the expected traffic and soil type. For standard commercial lots, a dense aggregate base layer of 8 inches is recommended. This is followed by a binder layer of 1.5 to 2 inches and a final asphalt layer of 1.5 to 2 inches. For heavy-duty traffic, such as trucks and loading docks, a thicker binder layer of 2 inches is suggested.

Full-depth light-duty commercial lots should have a compacted layer of hot mix asphalt applied directly to the subgrade, with a thickness of 1.5 to 2 inches. For full-depth heavy-duty lots, this thickness increases to 2 to 3 inches. If an aggregate base layer is used, light-duty lots should have a 2-inch asphalt layer on a 6-inch base, while heavy-duty lots require a 3-inch asphalt layer on an 8-inch base.

Proper pavement thickness is crucial for durability and longevity. Insufficient thickness can lead to premature deterioration. Additionally, the subgrade should be smooth, firm, and evenly contoured. For driveways, a granular base aggregate of 6 to 8 inches is recommended.

Runoff and filtration

A bus parking space should be a minimum of 12 feet in width and 35 feet in length. When planning for bus parking, each parking spot should have 900 square feet of space and be 14 feet wide.

Parking lots are large, impermeable, and flat, and they can have a high runoff rate. Therefore, it is important to treat parking lot drainage and runoff for water quantity, and this quantity must be reduced after treatment. A parking lot drainage design should consider water quality and quantity needs using Best Management Practices (BMPs). One such BMP is to use vegetated filter strips, as they can help remove pollutants from the water before it is stored and released.

Vegetated filter strips can be designed from various types of vegetation, including turf grass, meadow cover, planted woods, and existing forests. Of these, existing forest areas filter Total Suspended Solids (TSS) the best, removing approximately 80%. Meadow cover and planted woods remove roughly 70%, and turf grass around 60%. Removal rates can vary depending on the specific design of the filter strip and can be influenced by factors such as slope and length. Each state has specific requirements for vegetated filter strips.

The benefits of vegetated filter strips include:

• Slowing runoff velocities
• Requiring little maintenance
• Reducing runoff volumes
• Not posing an entrapment hazard for wildlife
• Working in residential settings and parking lots
• Serving as an effective pretreatment for bioretention cells
• Being a part of an entire runoff conveyance system with other BMPs

However, there are also limitations to consider:

• Efficiency depends on design and vegetation type
• Concentrated flows can erode the area
• Best suited for slopes of 6% or less
• Can be an insufficient retrofit option requiring large land areas

Another technique to manage runoff and filtration in parking lots is to introduce smart landscaping. This involves creatively and effectively implementing a landscape project that meets the needs of a parking lot while incorporating environmental efficiencies. Landscape islands, installed below the parking lot level, can collect water as it runs off. These landscape elements are typically filled with a sandy, compost-rich soil mix, topped with mulch and dense vegetation. Stormwater is then absorbed into the soil, where it gets filtered and absorbed into the groundwater, cleaned by the soil's microbial action.

To avoid flooding during heavy storms, bioretention areas should incorporate a 'pond' about 6 to 8 inches deep with an overflow outlet to drain excess water. For a bioretention area to be effective, it should cover 5% of the entire paved surface. Even small lots can incorporate this technique by using perimeter bioswales, which are depressions along the perimeter designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water, distribute water away from certain locations, and minimize flooding.

Frequently asked questions