After a paving contractor installs your asphalt parking lot, the next step will be line striping. These painted lines divide aisles and spaces, which will comply with legal requirements and make the lot easier for motorists to navigate. You'll have a decision to make before painting begins: straight or slanted spaces? Since the line angle can have an impact on the entire lot, here's a closer look at each option to help you decide. 

What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Slanted Spaces?

When determining the layout, consider how many vehicles the lot will accommodate. Slanted spaces are typically tilted at 45-degree and 60-degree angles, which could make it possible to fit more cars per square foot in the lot. Motorists won't have to make sharp turns to pull into and reverse out of the spaces, which reduces the risk of bumping into surrounding cars.

Because cars enter the spaces at an angle, the flow of traffic is generally one-way. Having one-lane aisles instead of two-lane aisles could affect the efficiency of the lot. When the spaces are slanted, it might be hard for some motorists to line up the front bumper with the curb, and their back bumpers might poke out into the lane as a result. A car might be parked too close to the line, too, and box in a neighboring vehicle.

How Do Straight Parking Spaces Compare?

Although straight parking spaces require more square footage so that drivers can make sharper turns, you can improve traffic flow by choosing this option over slanted spaces. That's because the lot layout features two lanes, so drivers can pull in and out of spaces from either direction. This can reduce congestion and inconvenient traffic jams.

However, because cars aren't staggered in rows, there's a greater risk of doors dinging neighboring vehicles when drivers get in and out of their cars. Having two lanes of traffic could also be slightly problematic when drivers pull out of spaces, as they might forget to look both ways for cars approaching.

Ultimately, the decision can come down to how much space your lot will have to work with. If you need a new asphalt parking lot, the paving contractors at AAA Paving Company in Kernersville, NC, will analyze your needs and help design a lot that will make visiting your business easier for customers and employees. In business for over 25 years, the company is a one-stop shop for residential and commercial paving services in the Piedmont Triad area. Visit the paving contractor online to see project photos and call (336) 723-1418 for a free estimate.