Local Traffic 1 - Stationary
We can assume that in Germany there are only 40 million motor cars. Actually the number is somewhat higher, however, in 2008 the number decreased by just under 10 percent. If one were to park all these vehicles, not
counting utility vehicles and two-wheelers, bumper to bumper, on public roads, half of all the available roads would have to be used.
By the way, if all these cars were to drive in both directions on the roads outside of Germany's urban areas, it would only be possible to keep a distance of three car-lengths between each car, perhaps enough space for a
motorcycle but certainly not enough for any commercial vehicle e.g., a truck.
You can see how important not only the flowing traffic is, but also the stationary vehicles are, and why the profits that are made by parking lots in the respective areas have risen far more rapidly than those of accomodation
buildings. Whereby unfortunately, they are not as high for underground parking as they are for street-level lots.
There are countries (e.g., Japan) where you can only register a vehicle if you can prove that you have a place to park it. In some blocks of flats the cars “live” on the ground floor, possibly with access to the courtyard garden
behind the building. One has to envy countries like the USA or Canada with their (at least in the rural areas) generously sized properties.
The situation for the parking of the dearly loved motor car is, at least in Germany, becoming more of a problem. Although the population drop is surely on its way, the rules are being changed, allowing the amount of
vehicles to increase.
If the Federal Government allows the introduction of one number-plate for several vehicles, this will increase the incentive for people to buy cars. Looking at the veteran car scene, that which previously would have definitely
been scrap, is now being affectionately restored. The proportion of more expensive cars is increasing, thus also, the amount of vehicles that are worth keeping.
In addition, the driving licence age is being lowered. OK, as long as one parent must be present as a passenger in the car, no car-buying will take place. Indeed, how many cars does a family with two fully licenced
children 'need'?
Four cars need an area of approx. 32 m² just to stand there. However, have a look what it's like in a parking lot. There, the area where the cars park, is distinctly smaller than the traffic- and management surface. To move
the car in and out of the slot one needs almost twice as much space.
In addition, one cannot assume a standard size for all cars, whereby at least, e.g. in indoor parking lots the height is clearly limited, which automatically excludes some vehicles anyhow. The standing area must of course,
offer sufficient space, also for the upper-mid-size saloon car. After all, the driver and passengers would also like to be able to get in and out reasonably comfortably.
Parking slots for the disabled are of course, more generously sized, and if the 'women-only' slots are not rigorously used, as a rule they remain empty, which once again, is a waste of usable space.
Unfortunately valet parking systems, where the car is handed over at the entrance and then parked particularly economically, have not been able to assert themselves. Perhaps something like this can be implemented by
adjusting the prices.
Together with the rising value of our cars, the danger of them being stolen also increases. Certainly, the vehicle is insured, indeed, sometimes with an excess premium, and nobody willingly plans an insurance claim.
Should the car be found, partly dismantled, most owners, even though the damage has been repaired, don't really feel the same way about the car than they did before the theft.
Thus the motor insurance companies have learned to place a high value on private garages and offer better conditions for so called “garage cars”. A garage of course, takes up a lot of space (see above) or it requires a
larger property. At least, in Germany one can build the garage flush with the property boundary. In addition, it's a good place to store garden tools and bicycles.
There are, after all, a number of people who still do other work on their cars themselves, over and above changing the tyres twice a year, by the way, also avoiding the extra cost of having them stored. Indeed, particularly if
the garage contains additional valuables it should be well protected against burglary attempts and fire.
It is also fascinating, how even a chaotic workshop can be turned into something asthetic, just press a button, the door closes, and from the ouside, there's no sign of the chaos anymore. Should the garage have windows,
one can even work inside in winter with the door closed, the modern doors are insulated against cold.
The stationary traffic takes on a special meaning through the demands made by the environment. Thus all battery powered vehicles make increased reqirements on the properties of the parking slot, even if the car only
parks there for an hour. It would appear that investments in the stationary traffic (actually an absurd concept) will in future, be even more worthwhile. 04/11
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