Leslie Massey
Car parking spaces in Australia are shrinking, or at least that's how it feels to many. While parking spaces have remained the same size since 1993, cars have been growing bigger and heavier over the years. The current standard for on-street parking spaces in Australia is 2.4–2.6 metres wide and 5.4 metres long. However, some mainstream utes are over five metres long, and others, like the Chevy Silverado HD LTZ Premium, stretch to almost 6.4 metres. As a result, there have been discussions about increasing the size of Australian car parking spaces to better accommodate these larger vehicles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Length | 5.4 metres or 7800 mm |
| Width | 2.4-2.6 metres or 3200 mm |
| Angle | 45-90 degrees |
| Type | Parallel, perpendicular, and angle parking |
| Location | On-street and off-street |
| Compliance | Australian car park design standards and guidelines |
| Changes | Rumors of increasing size due to larger cars |
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What You'll Learn
Cars getting bigger, not spaces smaller
It's a common perception that car parking spaces are shrinking. However, the reality is that cars are getting bigger, and parking spaces are not getting smaller. In Australia, the standard car park size has been 5.4 metres long and between 2.4 and 2.6 metres wide since 1993. While there have been discussions about changing the size of parking spaces to accommodate larger vehicles, the available parking spaces are limited, and reducing the dimensions of parking bays ensures that more parking bays are available per square area.
There are several reasons why cars are getting bigger. Firstly, safety is a major priority for modern cars, and larger vehicles are generally perceived to be safer. To enhance safety, modern cars have multiple airbags located within the doors, seats, and even the roof. Additionally, vehicle crumple zones contribute to the size of new cars. Crumple zones are designed to absorb the energy from an impact, reducing damage and harm to the passenger compartment. As a result, the vehicle's structure and bumpers need to be engineered and sized to meet crash test safety standards, leading to larger overall dimensions.
Another factor contributing to the increasing size of cars is the inclusion of additional features and technologies. While some advancements, such as hands-free phone capabilities and backup cameras, do not take up much space, other features like massaging seats and panoramic moonroofs add complexity and weight to a vehicle's design. Furthermore, engines have become larger and more powerful, with turbocharged engines providing better performance and fuel economy compared to older, larger-displacement engines. This allows automakers to allocate more physical space to the interior or exterior bodywork.
The trend towards larger vehicles is also evident in the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs). EVs are not constrained by the design and space limitations of combustion engines, allowing for optimised interior and cargo space. However, the batteries in EVs can be large and heavy, contributing to the overall size and weight of the vehicle. Additionally, as technology progresses, it is expected that cars will continue to grow in size, further emphasising the challenge of parking spaces.
While larger cars may offer certain advantages, they also present challenges, particularly in urban areas. Bigger cars can be problematic in cities designed around smaller vehicles, making parking and manoeuvring difficult. This issue is not unique to Australia, as other countries, such as the UK and the US, are also grappling with the impact of larger vehicles on parking infrastructure. As a result, some cities are considering restrictions on large vehicles, such as SUVs, or implementing weight-based registration fees to discourage their use.
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Standard size: 5.4m x 2.4-2.6m
Since 1993, the standard size of a car park space in Australia has been 5.4 metres long and between 2.4 and 2.6 metres wide. These measurements were decided upon so that the space could comfortably fit a generic model and the average car width of passenger vehicles that were popular at the time, including the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore.
While the size of standard car parking spaces may differ slightly between buildings, states and territories, the aforementioned minimum dimensions apply and represent best practice. Australian car park sizing may differ from other countries, such as the USA, due to the size of vehicles there. For example, some mainstream utes are over five metres long, and the Chevy Silverado HD LTZ Premium is almost 6.4 metres long.
As cars have grown bigger and heavier over the years, there have been discussions about changing the typical car park size in Australia to better accommodate larger vehicles. However, it's important to note that parking spaces aren't getting smaller, but cars are getting bigger, and Australian car spots are trying to keep up with this change.
In terms of specific parking types, angle parking spaces in Australia should include a dedicated space of 2,400 mm wide by 5,400 mm long, with a shared area on one side and at the end measuring 2.4m wide by 5.4m long. Parallel parking spaces, on the other hand, should have a dedicated space of at least 3,200 mm wide by 7,800 mm long, with a shared area of at least 1,600 mm wide by 7,800 mm long.
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Angle, parallel, perpendicular parking
The standard size of a car parking space in Australia is approximately 2.4 metres wide and 5.4 metres long. This size was decided to comfortably fit a generic model and the average width of passenger vehicles that were popular at the time, including the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore. However, cars have grown bigger and heavier over the years, with some mainstream utes exceeding five metres in length and weighing 3762kg, such as the Chevy Silverado HD LTZ Premium, which is almost 6.4 metres long. As a result, there have been discussions about increasing the size of parking spaces in Australia to accommodate these larger vehicles.
When it comes to angle, parallel, and perpendicular parking, the dimensions may vary slightly depending on the location and the types of vehicles allowed to use the space. For instance, disabled parking in Australia requires a minimum space of 5.5 metres long and 3 metres wide, with a minimum headroom clearance of 2.5 metres for vehicles with roof-mounted wheelchair racks.
Angle parking is typically used in open-air car parks or multi-storey car parks, and the dimensions may vary slightly depending on the design and layout of the car park. Perpendicular parking is often found in multi-storey car parks or in designated parking areas, and the spaces are usually marked with clear lines to indicate the correct parking position.
Parallel parking, on the other hand, involves parking alongside a curb or another parked vehicle. The standard distance for parallel parking is to be within 25-30 cm from the curb, and the vehicle should be centred within the space. The minimum length of a parallel parking space is typically around 6 metres to accommodate the average car length and manoeuvring space.
It is important to note that the ease of entering and exiting a parking space depends not only on the dimensions but also on the parking skills of the drivers using the adjacent spaces. Adequate space should be left to allow doors to open and close comfortably without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians.
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Disabled spots: wider and longer
In Australia, car park design standards mandate that disabled parking spots be significantly wider and longer than standard parking spaces. This is to allow enough space for a wheelchair to manoeuvre on and off a ramp or hoist. These designated spaces should be clearly marked so that they are easily identifiable.
The Australian Standard AS2890.6-2009 (Off-street Parking for People with Disabilities) outlines the design requirements for disabled parking spaces. According to this standard, disabled parking spaces should have an area of at least 1.2 metres by 1.2 metres beside or to the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, there should be another 1.2-metre by 1.2-metre space beyond that for wheelchair manoeuvring. This extra space is crucial for ensuring that individuals with disabilities have adequate room to safely enter and exit their vehicles.
The specific dimensions of disabled parking spaces may vary slightly depending on the type of parking, such as parallel, perpendicular, or angle parking. For instance, in the case of parallel parking spaces, the dedicated parking space should be at least 3200 mm wide by 7800 mm long, while the adjacent shared area should be at least 1600 mm wide by 7800 mm long. On the other hand, angled parking spaces are designed to be 2400 mm wide and 5400 mm long, with a shared area of the same width and length provided on one side.
It is worth noting that while the standard car park size in Australia has typically been 5.4 metres long and between 2.4 and 2.6 metres wide, there are ongoing efforts to revise these dimensions to accommodate larger vehicles. As cars have become bigger over the years, there is a growing need to increase the length of parking spaces to 5.6 metres. This change aims to better accommodate larger vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ, which exceeds 6 metres in length in certain specifications.
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Design standards and guidelines
Car parks in Australia, whether residential or commercial, must comply with Australian car park design standards and guidelines. These standards are set to ensure that car parking facilities are safe, accessible, and adequate for all intended users, balancing the needs of different land uses and fostering sustainable urban living.
The Australian Standards, commonly referred to as AS or AS/NZS, include mandatory and voluntary guidelines for parking facilities. These standards cover various aspects of car park design, including the size and layout of parking spaces, access facilities, circulation roadways, and ramps, and the installation of safety features such as bollards, speed humps, and wheel stops.
For on-street parking in Australia, the current standard specifies a width of 2.4 to 2.6 metres and a length of 5.4 metres. This standard applies as a minimum in every state. Off-street parking in private and public parking lots follows the same standard, but revisions are being made to increase the length to 5.6 metres to accommodate larger vehicle designs.
The Victorian Government's Planning Scheme outlines specific dimensions for off-street parking, overriding the standard requirements. For parallel parking in Australia, the dedicated space should be a minimum of 3200 mm wide by 7800 mm long, with a shared area of at least 1600 mm wide by 7800 mm long, all at the same level. Angle parking spaces should have a dedicated space of 2400 mm by 5400 mm with a shared area on one side and at an angle between 45 and 90 degrees.
Disabled parking spaces are mandated to be significantly wider and longer, with an area of at least 1.2 m × 1.2 m beside or behind the vehicle, and an additional 1.2 m × 1.2 m space for wheelchair manoeuvring. These spaces must be clearly marked and easily identifiable.
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Frequently asked questions
The standard car park size in Australia is 5.4 metres long and between 2.4 and 2.6 metres wide.
Cars are getting bigger, while parking spaces are staying the same size.
There are discussions about increasing the size of parking spaces to accommodate larger vehicles, but no changes have been made yet.
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