[First filed: June 19, 2009 @ 21:49]
TAMS has unveiled their review into disabled parking.
A quick reading of the executive summary suggests all is not not in compliance with standards in the ACT. (Would we really expect anything different?)
- Only a few disabled parking spaces comply with all of the criteria identified in the relevant standards. This study found that although many of the disabled parking spaces provided within the ACT town and group centres do not comply with the relevant standards for the physical design of the spaces most are suitable for unconstrained use by disabled persons.
Anyway the recommendations are interesting:
- A rate of 3% of spaces for disabled parking would better meet the demand for disabled parking and should be considered for implementation in public car parks. This parking would need to be located close to likely destinations. Where there is likely to be an overall shortage of standard parking, a much higher percentage of disabled parking should be provided. Centres such as Manuka provide far beyond the required levels of disabled parking, however all spaces were utilised throughout most of the survey period, there was a clear shortage of parking provided generally with the majority of standard parking also occupied most of the time.
Additional disabled parking is recommended for Manuka.
Disabled parking is recommended to be relocated at Jamison to better access the revised shopping centre arrangements.
Additional disabled parking should be considered at centres where there is one or less available space at any of the survey times: Ainslie, Charnwood, Coolemon Court, Weston, Kippax and Southlands.
There appears to be a case to review the basis upon which parking permits are issued in oreder [Sic] to better understand the dramatic increase in the number of permits issued and the corresponding increase in parking demand for disabled persons.
The lack of proofing in the report is somewhat alarming.