Parking space

When the demand for spaces outstrips supply, vehicles may overspill park onto the sidewalk, grass verges and other places which were not designed for the purpose.

Sometimes, a single row of perpendicular car parking spaces is marked in the center of a street.

When the lot or facility is provided to serve the customers of a business, it is considered valet parking.

Inner city parking lots are often temporary, the operators renting land which is vacant pending the construction of a new office building.

Angled and perpendicular spaces may need to be wide to allow doors to open, while parallel parking spots may be narrower on low-traffic neighborhood streets.

[citation needed] Parallel parking spaces typically range from 20 to 24 feet (6.1–7.3 m) long.

A high cost of land will encourage smaller dimensions and the introduction of compact spaces.

[6] According to French standard "Norme NF P 91-100", minimum width of parking spaces range from 2.20 to 2.30 metres (7.2–7.5 ft) (See fr:Marquage du stationnement en France).

Narrow parking spaces such as in Vevey, Switzerland, might make opening the door difficult in a larger vehicle.

Recently there has been some controversy about most UK parking spaces being too small to fit modern cars, which have grown significantly since standards were set decades ago.

[10] Parking spaces commonly contain a parking chock (wheel stop), which is used to prevent cars from pulling too far into the space and This barrier is usually made of concrete and will normally be a horizontal bar to stop the tires from moving forward or a vertical bar that may cause damage to the vehicle if contact is made.

[12][13] In some countries, women's parking spaces have been established in more visible spots to reduce the chance of sexual attacks,[14] facilitate parking for women, or to provide spaces that are closer to shopping centers or employment.

[15][16] Curb markings in the United States are prescribed by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

[17] Local highway agencies may prescribe special colors for curb markings to supplement standard signs for parking regulation.

The red curb is for emergency vehicles only - fire lanes (no stopping, standing, or parking).

In Seattle, Washington, alternating red and yellow curb markings indicate a bus stop.