the facility.This is to ensure that there is no standingwater fol- lowing rain storms or even to control rain that drips off cars traveling within the structure.


2. Architecture Again, there are several areas of expertise in this profes-


sional category, such as: Building architects design the aesthetically pleasing


façade of the structure to be sure that it fits in with surround- ing buildings. These architects typically also work with the owner to design vertical circulation and parking support build- ings that are necessary components of a parking facility.These also work with existing federal and state regulations forADA compliance. Landscape architects develop specifications to beautify


the area surrounding the parking facility once the major con- struction is done. Few if any structures built today don’t have green space and some landscape treatment in and around the area to better “fit in” with the surrounding area.


3. Parking consultants Here’swhere things can get somewhat interesting because


of the cross-over of areas of knowledge. The parking consultant can usually assistwith developing


an efficient traffic flow and efficient space layout within a parking structure.This requires coordinationwith the structur- al engineer as well as the project architect. In addition, there are revenue and access control systems


to specify, which will take close coordination with electrical engineers to ensure adequate conduit and electrical service for peripheral devices. The electrical engineer will need to become involved in order to specify the lane loop cutting and connections to the lane devices. Once revenue and access control systemrequirements are


identified, rate structures need to be evaluated in order tomax- imize revenue and utilization of the parking facility. Rates can be anything from hourly to weekly to monthly, depending on the type of use the facility is designed tomeet. The parking consultant will need to coordinate with the


civil engineer in order to have level slabs poured formounting of gate cabinets, lane devices and cashier booths. To be successful on a job, the parking consultant must


knowthe operation he or she isworking on.To do that, site vis- its, interviews with owners as well as operators of the facility, and a complete understanding of the business rules are para- mount. Since revenue and access control systems include reporting capability, the consultant also must know what the customer wants and needs in order tomanage their facility. These rather elementary descriptions are meant to


just scratch the surface of what consultants can and should bring to a project.We all growin our knowledge aswe contin- ue to manage or work in our facilities. But the specialized knowledge of the various consulting disciplines cannot be omitted froma project if you want it to be successful. The best advice might be to recognize and honestly eval-


uate your own knowledge level, and to be sure to make use of the proper group of consultants to bring order and success to your project.


Greg Leean is director of Airport Transportation and Parking Consulting for the Consulting Engineers Group. He can be reached at gregleean@charter.net.


PT


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