From 2009 to 2022: The Key Updates in AS2890.6 Off-Street Parking for People with Disabilities

While not a referenced document under the NCC 2022, or proposed to be referenced under NCC 2025, the update to AS2890.6 Parking facilities, Part 6: Off-street parking for people with disabilities provides valuable detail into accessible car parking, including inclusion of drop-off zones and residential parking requirements. The key differences between the 2009 version of the Standard and the 2022 version of the Standard are summarised below:

New Definitions

The 2022 Terms and Definitions section includes the following additions

• Accessible Entrance
• Accessible Path of Travel
• Accessible Space
• Angle Parking
• Circulation Roadway
• Parking Aisle
• Rest Point

Location of Accessible Space and Shared Areas

While the 2009 version of the Standard provides dimensional details for accessible spaces and shared areas, the 2022 version of the Standard elaborates with the following:

• Accessible parking spaces shall be located within 50m of an accessible entrance or, where this is impractical, within 100m with a rest point at 40m-60m;
• The rest point shall have dimensions of 1200mm x 1000mm with a maximum gradient of 1:40;
• An accessible path of travel shall be maintained between the accessible entrance and accessible parking space. Speed humps, signs or any other physical item shall not obstruct this travel path;
• Shared areas shall be located to the rear and a minimum of one side of every accessible parking space;
• A shared area shall be provided to one side of all accessible parking spaces;
• A shared are shall be provided to the rear of all accessible parking spaces, having the same width as the associated accessible parking space and be a minimum of 2400mm in length (further details are provided in the Standard regarding shared areas located in a parking aisle to the rear of an accessible parking space);
• Bollards, posts or columns must meet the following requirements
  • Installed height of a minimum 300mm retro-reflective coloured band, located a minimum of 900mm above the car park floor, providing a minimum 30% luminance contrast to the pavement
  • For 90-degree angle parking, bollard, post or column shall be located within an area commencing at 750mm and extending up to 1750mm from the edge of the parking aisle
  • For angled parking of 45-degrees, the location of the bollard, post or column shall be positioned such that is does not impede the wheelchair unloading area and vehicles manoeuvring into and out of the parking space
  • Installation of bollards, posts or columns shall ensure a minimum 1000mm clear access path adjacent to a single accessible parking space, and on both sides where located between two accessible parking spaces.

Parking Spaces – Dimensions

The 2009 and 2022 Standards are similar in this Clause, with the addition of the following for the updated Standard:

• Where the side boundary of an accessible space is a wall or vertical obstruction greater than 150mm in height, an additional 300mm shall be added to the width of the accessible space. Where the shared area adjoins an accessible path of travel and the accessible path of travel is at a different level, a kerb ramp shall be provided in accordance with AS1428.1;
• Slip resistance requirements shall also apply to all pavement markings. The surface shall be free of any elements that may present a hazard to pedestrians. These areas and the accessible path of travel shall have a slip-resistant surface with a classification of not less than that specified in Table 2.6 when test in accordance with AS4586;
• The headroom shall be a minimum of 2500mm for a length of 1900mm in the centre of the accessible space for the whole width of the space. For details of reduced headroom and headroom above shared areas, see Clause 2.7;
• Where kerb ramps are to be provided, they shall serve the shared area which is located adjacent to the parking space. Where a kerb ramp is provided within the shared area, it shall intrude no further than 1200mm into the shared area.

Space Identification and Delineation

The 2009 and 2022 Standards are similar in this Clause, with the addition of the following for the updated Standard:

• The requirement in Clause 3.1.1 for a symbol of access to be placed on the pavement shall not apply to any privately owned parking space for people with disabilities associated with a single residence and design primarily for the use by the occupants of that residence. Where accessible resident parking spaces allocated to or owned by individual residences use the same shared area, then a bollard, post or column shall be installed in accordance with Clause 2.4. The requirement in Clause 3.1.1 for space and shared area identification and a bollard shall not apply to any privately owned enclosed parking space (e.g. a garage) for people with disabilities associated with a single residence and designed primarily for use by the occupants of that residence;
• Accessible parking spaces shall be outlined with unbroken lines 80mm to 100mm wide on the long edge of an angled parking space and the short edge of a parallel parking space (except where any side is delineated by a kerb, barrier or wall). Where defined by line marking, all measurements shall be taken from the centre of the marked lines;
• Pavement markings shall conform to the slip resistance requirements of Clause 2.6.

Appendix A

The 2009 and 2022 Standards are similar in this Appendix, with the addition of the following for the updated Standard:

• Section A.2 provides details for Drop-Off Zones;
• Section A.3 provides additional information for provision of parking spaces, including vehicle adaptations and transfer methods;
• Section A.5 refers to AS/NZ2890.1 for information regarding access-controlled entry.