Site planning tips to keep your service station moving.
When it comes to service stations, “congestion” is a four letter word.
Nothing turns away customers (and attracts complaints from neighbours) quite like a hastily conceived site plan that doesn’t account for calm, orderly and safe traffic flow. And the more services you have on site, the trickier it becomes.
Factors that affect traffic flow on site:
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In our over 20-year history of designing service stations, we’ve found the biggest challenge is often helping clients understand what is achievable based on their lot size, site access and configuration.
For example, a client may have plans for a touchless carwash and c-store/fast food outlet complete with drive-thru pickup window – only to find the lot size won’t allow for it. In these cases, it is about managing expectations and finding workable solutions.
So how does CTM go about determining traffic flow requirements to help our clients implement their vision?
The first consideration when planning the site is vehicular access. The second is fuel truck access. Everything else ‘flows’ from there!
By using advanced animation software that works with AutoCAD site plans, CTM is able to simulate traffic flow. This allows us to analyze and assess site logistics.
We can model traffic flow at the pumps, drive-thru’s, car washes and parking areas. It also helps us determine the best locations for tanker delivery, delivery trucks... even garbage trucks.” Each of these things impact the other: and must be factored into the overall site design.
By getting it right, we not only improve the customer experience – we allow the operator to improve site safety and maximize efficiency.
What happens when a key part of the equation is overlooked?
We have seen examples where a service station was built without giving proper allowance for tanker truck delivery. In such cases, the fuel supplier can’t come onto the site with their standard tanker – so special arrangements need to be made for a smaller delivery truck (at an added cost to the owner). This can also result in longer waits for fuel delivery.
At the end of the day, it comes down to proper planning – where the client and design team work together to arrive at the solutions that works best for a particular location and the owner’s objectives.
