Creating green carparks for a climate positive future
Consumers are increasingly looking for environmentally friendly, more sustainable options. And carparks are an area where emissions are typically high – what with running vehicles, concrete walls, and a general lack of biophilia. So how do you make your carpark part of this trend – and do your bit for social responsibility too? Our sustainable carpark design tips can help.
There are two main areas to consider when looking at reducing carbon emissions in carparks:
- Construction
- Ongoing operation
If you’re constructing a new carpark, consider using environmentally friendly construction methods. Smarter building methods such as Parkd, which have been developed over last few years, utilise a modular design with less concrete, reducing the carbon emitted in the construction.
Within the design, include elements such as natural and mechanical air ventilation, solar power, and EV charge points. Other exciting innovations such as live green walls and natural plants on the structure not only reduces its carbon footprint, but improves the look and feel of the carpark and its impression on drivers.
Whilst these innovations are ideal when you’re designing a new build carpark, they aren’t always feasible for an existing facility. So to reduce carbon emissions in existing carparks, it’s important to look at its ongoing operation.
How to lower emissions in your carpark
Much of a carpark’s emissions come from the vehicles circulating while searching for a space. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 30% of CBD traffic is made up of cars looking for a space to park their vehicle. It’s no different once cars enter a carpark. You can just imagine the level of emissions caused by these vehicles driving round and around.
To minimise the time drivers spend looking for a carpark, install a Parking Guidance System to visually notify drivers at the carpark entrance of the exact number of currently vacant bays. These systems can also provide visual LED indicator (often red or green to show vacancy status) above each carpark, to assist drivers in locating a free bay from a distance and reduce needless driving.
Installing directional wayfinding signage – integrated to your parking guidance system – throughout your carpark can provide information on available spaces at decision making points. This not only provides a faster parking time for drivers, but also frees up congestion and allows the carpark operator to control which areas are filled first.
Carbon emissions are also commonly caused by vehicle queues, which are typically found at carpark entries and exits. To minimise this carpark congestion, and maximise vehicle flow rates for your carpark’s entries and exits, install automated Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras or a ticketless carpark management systems.
The advantages of smart carpark lighting
Finally, another large contributor to a carpark’s carbon footprint is its lighting. Smart lighting, which is controlled by vehicle occupancy, can ensure you’re not paying for lighting power in areas where there are no vehicles parked. Some systems such as the LEDPark can even determine current occupancy and set the light levels to match, or become brighter during peak traffic flow periods.
Using LED modules instead of fluorescent lighting can also reduce energy usage by over 50%. When effectively designed they also provide uniform lighting cover, leaving no dark corners in the carpark, which increases safety for pedestrians.
EV charge points
When you set up your carpark to attract customers with electric vehicles, you are already making a difference with fewer ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles.. So make sure you make it easy for EVs to find a spot to park and charge.
Get more information about sustainable carpark design
For more sustainable ideas for your carpark, call the Parcsafe team today on 1300 987 645 or contact us online.
