If you want to know about the site planning and development for disabled person or wheelchair user accessible toilet design or requirements for disabled persons in a building, please click the link.
A disabled parking space is a designated parking spot that is reserved for individuals with disabilities. These spaces are typically located in areas that are convenient and accessible, such as near the entrance of a building or close to an elevator.
1) Location of Parking
- The designated accessible parking spaces that serve a building shall be located as near as possible to the main entrance, and the distance from the accessible parking space to the main entrance shall not be more than 30 m.
- In case the access is through lift, the parking shall be located within 30 m of the lift lobby.
- Kerb ramp from parking space to an adjacent higher pedestrian path shall be provided in accordance with Kerb Ramp from Parking Space to an Adjacent Higher Pedestrian Path (Given below).
- Where indoor parking is provided, a suitable passenger lift or separated pedestrian ramp shall be installed to provide access from the parked vehicle to the principal entrance of the building or buildings served by the car parking.
2) Number of designated accessible parking spaces
The following minimum requirements concerning the number of parking places shall apply.
- A minimum of one accessible designated parking space shall be provided in every parking area.
- For up to 10 parking spaces, one designated accessible parking space shall be provided.
- For up to 25 parking spaces, two designated accessible parking space shall be provided.
- For up to 50 parking spaces, three designated accessible parking spaces shall be provided.
- For up to 100 parking spaces, four designated accessible parking spaces shall be provided.
- For up to 200 parking spaces, six designated accessible parking spaces shall be provided.
- For over 200 parking spaces, six designated accessible parking spaces for 200 parking spaces and one for each additional 100 parking spaces shall be provided.
- In specialized facilities such as health care facilities, shopping areas and recreational facilities, a greater number of designated accessible parking spaces should be considered.
3) Signage for parking
Signage for designated accessible parking spaces shall meet the following requirements.
- International symbol of accessibility shall be displayed at approaches and entrances to car parking to indicate the provision of accessible parking lot for persons with disabilities within the vicinity.
- Directional signs consisting of arrows combined with the international symbol of accessibility shall be placed along the route leading to the accessible parking lot (see Figure below).
- Directional signs shall also be displayed to direct persons with disabilities to the accessible parking lot at points where there is a change of direction, or where the location of the accessible parking lot is not obvious or is distant from the approach viewpoints.
- Accessible parking lot shall be identifiable by the International Symbol of Accessibility placed vertically.
- The signs shall not be obscured by a vehicle parked in the designated lot.
- A vertical sign shall be provided, and to make it easily visible, the sign shall be at a minimum height of 2100 mm.
- This height is to ensure that the sign does not get hidden behind large vehicles in the parking (see Figure below).
- International symbol of accessibility shall be clearly marked/painted on the floor surface of the designated accessible parking lot for drivers/riders with disabilities only.
- The symbol painted on the designated lot shall comply the following
- A square with dimensions of at least 1000 mm but not exceeding 1500 mm in length.
- Located at the centre of the parking lot.
- Colour of the symbol shall be in contrasting colour scheme of blue and white.
4) Car park entrance and parking controls
- The car park entrance shall have a height clearance of at least 2600 mm.
- If payment machine is provided, it shall provide all control at the height between 800 mm and 1000 mm (For more information Please click this link (Operating controls & devices)).
- Access to the machine shall be level along an accessible route and easy to operate.
- The machine shall be located so that it does not create a hazard or barrier for persons with disabilities.
5) Accessible car parking space dimensions and surface requirements
The accessible car parking space shall meet the following requirements.
- The minimum width of the parking space for a car shall be 3900 mm and the minimum length shall be 5400 mm.
- This minimum width includes the transfer area beside the car with a minimum of 1500 mm.
- Two accessible parking spaces with one shared transfer area are widely used and shall have a minimum width of 6300 mm (see Figure below).
- It shall have a firm, level surface without aeration slabs.
- Wherever possible, it shall be sheltered.
- The transfer zones, both on the side and the rear should have yellow or white crosshatch road markings (see Figure above).
- The designated accessible parking spaces shall be located on a gradient not greater than 1:50, throughout its length and its width.
- The accessible route of 1200 mm width shall be provided for wheelchair users to pass behind vehicle that may be backing out (see Figure below).
- Parking space along the footpath/sidewalk – For roadside parking of an accessible van, the minimum dimensions shall be 9000 mm × 2400 mm with a kerb to access the nearest footpath/sidewalk (see Figure below).
- Van parking with auxiliary movable ramps – The size and design of accessible vehicles may vary as some are fitted with ramps or hoists at the side or at the rear.
- The minimum width of the accessible parking space for a van shall have at least the same dimensions as for car parking spaces (see Figure below).
- Transfer areas between spaces may be shared.
- For multi-purpose vehicles with hoists or lifts, more space is needed; at least an additional 2400 mm area beside the van and/or at the rear of the van may be required.
- The dedicated parking space in this case shall be 4800 mm wide and 9000 mm long (see Figure below for different types of designated parking spaces).
- As an alternative, a parking space of 2400 mm wide × 9000 mm in length along a footpath may be used, provided the footpath is at least 2400 mm wide as shown in Figure below.
6) Kerb ramp from parking space to an adjacent higher pedestrian path
- The kerb ramp should be located in close proximity to the designated accessible parking area connecting the accessible path of travel to the main entrance.
- The kerb ramp width should be a minimum of 1000 mm.
- The gradient of the kerb ramp should consider the requirements in Kerb Ramp/Dropped Kerb (please click this link).
- Kerb ramps shall have a slip-resistant surface.
- The accessible path to the kerb ramp can be marked with hatching painted on the road surface to prevent people from parking in this area (see Figure below).
It’s important for able-bodied individuals to respect these designated parking spaces and not park in them unless they have the appropriate permit. Parking in a disabled parking space without a permit is not only illegal, but it can also make it difficult or even impossible for people with disabilities to access the facilities they need.