Healthcare Design - May 2019 - 36

In Focus

2/5

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

Enhance efficiency. In many cases, existing parking space sizes
are larger than what's required by local agencies, making for inefficient parking layouts. For example, a standard parking stall is
9 feet wide for most agencies; however, some user groups, such as employees, can park effectively in 8-by-6-foot parking stalls because they arrive
with less equipment and have greater mobility. Some healthcare campuses have increased their total number of parking spaces by 5 to 15 percent
by conducting this type of layout reconfiguration. In addition to reducing
stall widths, another effective tactic is changing aisles from one-way angled parking to two-way 90-degree parking.
It should be noted that reducing stall widths too much can negatively
impact the parking experience for users by creating tight spaces. Parking retrofits should be done cautiously, balancing increased space count
with user experience by evaluating data such as local parking ordinances,
customer feedback, crash and property damage reports, interviews with
parking operations staff, and in-field observations.
Invest in technology. Leveraging new technology can lead to
both improved efficiency and effectiveness for hospital parking operations as well as enhanced customer service and the potential for
increased parking revenue. Parking guidance systems provide directions
and wayfinding to patrons unfamiliar with the campus and can also indicate
the number of spaces available, making accessing a campus less stressful.
Additionally, new license plate recognition systems can improve the
parking transaction experience and reduce exit time from minutes to seconds. For example, in the traditional model, customers pull a ticket upon
entry and pay a cashier at exit. With a license plate recognition system,
a vehicle's plate number is recorded upon entry and exit, with payment
made at a kiosk upon departure.
When considering these technologies, attention should be given to placing kiosks in highly visible locations near high-volume pedestrian paths
between the parking area and buildings. Additionally, license plate readers require a certain distance (upwards of 50 feet between the camera and
gate equipment) to read license plates, which creates a need for longer
stretches of circulation with no turning near entry and exit gates.
Integrate parking with the building. In the healthcare environment, patients and visitors often have limited walking distance tolerances due to medical conditions, physical limitations,
age, and other factors. Failure to appropriately locate parking resources
within reasonable walking distances can lead to long-term increased operating expenses such as parking tram/shuttle programs or valet services.
These conditions also frequently result in poor customer satisfaction ratings and lower quality service benchmark scores.
A good time to overhaul parking is when major changes are being made
to a facility, such as the relocation of the front door or the creation of a new
outpatient entrance. Elements to review include proximity of accessible
parking, pedestrian access (including ADA-accessible routes), wayfinding and signage (internal and external), security, and lighting, all of which
can have a direct and immediate impact on the customer experience. Design features that can bridge the gap between parking and clinical space
include pedestrian bridges, art and wayfinding at exterior elevator corridors, waiting room space immediately adjacent to valet operations, and
enhanced pedestrian wayfinding via mobile devices.
Evaluate remote parking. This option is often necessary to keep
a campus functioning until long-term solutions can be defined
and implemented. Typically, shuttle programs are applied to

employee groups and can be a very effective
interim solution. However, long-term use of
shuttle programs can affect employee morale
and staff retention. The most effective hospital
remote parking/shuttle programs often rotate
departments or staff and are sensitive to departmental issues such as peak patient volumes
or on-call schedules.
When operating off-campus parking with
shuttle services, specific attention should be
given to the user experience. Waiting facility amenities, such as air conditioning, heating,
seating, and security, should be provided to create a positive and inviting experience. Off-campus parking is most beneficial in an area with a
large number of spaces, so that pedestrian flows
are high and constant throughout the day, allowing for a safe and vibrant experience.
Consider alternative transportation. Accommodating active transportation, or alternative transportation
such as walking, biking, and transit, can also reduce parking demand-typically between 5 to
15 percent. These reductions in parking demand
depend on the level of support and investment
the administration contributes to this approach.
Intentional design elements throughout a
healthcare campus, such as special areas for loading and unloading, drop-and-ride locations, bicycle racks and lockers, on-site shower facilities,
bike repair stations, and enhanced bus shelters,
can incentivize alternative travel modes. Some
of these design elements can be incorporated
into parking facility design, such as bike storage
rooms and covered bike parking.

MAY 2019

LONG-TERM SUCCESS

SPOTLIGHT ON

HCD EXPO
The authors
spoke on this
topic at the 2018
HCD Expo. Stay up
to speed on what's
planned for 2019 by
visiting HCDexpo.com.

HCDMAGAZINE.COM

By considering these key parking and campusaccess strategies, healthcare campuses can help
assure that overall institutional goals and objectives are successfully supported. Effective
integration of parking and campus access into
long-term facility planning creates an environment that provides for superior customer service and satisfaction. This level of investment
in the customer experience will go a long way in
the future-proofing of healthcare campuses. 
Jeffrey Smith, PE, CAPP, LEED AP, is an owner and
project manager at Kimley-Horn (Atlanta). He can
be reached at J E F F R E Y. S M I T H @ K I M L E Y - H O R N .
C O M . Dennis Burns, CAPP, is a vice president and
senior project manager at Kimley-Horn (Phoenix).
He can be reached at D E N N I S . B U R N S @ K I M L E Y HORN.COM.

http://www.HCDexpo.com http://www.HCDexpo.com http://www.HCDMAGAZINE.COM

Healthcare Design - May 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Healthcare Design - May 2019