Van Accessible Parking.org

Psychology and Statistics of Disabled Parking Users.

II. Scoping of Disabled Parking spots:

I. Psychology and Statistics of Disabled Parking Users.

The specifications for disabled parking spots are reasonably simple but use of them is very complex. First some axioms - I wish these were humorous but unfortunately they are true.

1. There are too many disabled parking permits.

2. There is no uniform federal standard for who qualifies for permits.

3. Some people use stolen permits, permits purchased on E-Bay, a family member's permit when they are not in the car, or even a deceased persons permit.

4. In some states delivery vans may use them as loading zones as long as the driver doesn't leave the vehicle. This is permitted in Oregon.

5. Shoppers will leave empty grocery carts in the access isles.

6. When able-bodied people survey disabled parking spots they will be mostly empty. (The empty bus syndrome).

7. Some disabled permit holders will park in the access isle. In Oregon this is the same as parking in a disabled spot without a permit and carries the maximum penalty.

8. Some single disabled parking spots have the access isle on the drivers side meets the ANSI A117.1 specification but this is quite difficult to use by disabled drivers backing in a van with outside lift control switches in the rear. If only one spot is provided it must be van-accessible and have the wider access isle. See Technote: Scoping and Usability of Van Accessible Disabled Parking Spots

9. Motorcycles will park in the access isles.

10. If there is a van accessible spot closest to the entrance of a building in a row of multiple spots a non-van user will always be parked in the first spot. Recommendation: In a row of multiple disabled parking spots place the van accessible spot the furthest away from the building entrance. See Technote: Scoping and Usability of Van Accessible Disabled Parking Spots

11. We focus on wheel chair users but the most disabled in terms of parking are people still walking with mobility and distance limitations -- people using walkers, canes, crutches or even appearing to walk normally.

12. Dumpsters will be stored in the access isles.

II. Scoping of Disabled Parking spots -- (Scoping = how many spots are required in what locations).

The scoping part of the specifications (ADAAG 1993) is difficult to interpret since they assume that one in ever eight spaces must be van accessible - 96" access isle. The problem is that no one knows what a van accessible spot is except for people with vans. Also, the scoping applies to parking lots or structures where all the disabled parking is in one location of the lot. The ADAAG applies to buildings and facilities - not public right of ways. So it does not apply to an area of city streets with mostly on-street parking.