Parking Lot Design Assistance Program

> Parking Lot Design Assistance Application & Project Checklist (PDF)        

> Concrete Parking Lot Strategic Plan Resource Page

This program is a key initiative of the recently launched Concrete Industry Parking Lot Strategic Plan. Under this program, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) is working with the Ohio Ready Mixed Concrete Association (ORMCA) to provide concrete parking lot design suggestions for specifiers referred by NRMCA State Affiliates. The intention is to encourage specifiers lacking concrete experience to give it a try with a high likelihood for success. The program will provide design suggestions that will include enough guidance to the project designer, contractor, or owner to allow them to design, specify, and/or build an economical and well designed project.

When will the program be available?

The program is currently accepting submissions in a pilot phase. During this phase projects are being accepted and evaluated to determine the most effective long-term mechanisms for delivering the service and how best to leverage the service to increase use of concrete for parking lots.

Who can submit a project for Design Services?

NRMCA State Affiliates are the only groups that can submit projects. Projects may be identified by State Affiliate members, design firms, contractors, etc., but the request for Design Services must come directly from an NRMCA State Affiliate.

How much will the service cost?

During the pilot phase all program costs are being covered by NRMCA for the first submission by a state affiliate. For subsequent submissions, NRMCA will share 50% of the the total cost of the project with the state. Total project costs are dependent on the parking lot size but will not exceed $750 per project. Once the program officially launches, it is anticipated that NRMCA State Affiliates will be asked to share some of the cost of the service for all projects submitted.

How fast will I receive Design Suggestions?

The intention of the program is to provide Design Suggestions back to the Applicant within five (5) business days of submitting the completed application. During the pilot phase it may take longer to provide Design Services since the program is still under development.

How do I submit a project for Design Services?

A project is submitted by completing the application form and providing all the necessary information and files requested in the submittal checklist.

What feedback will I be expected to provide?

NRMCA State Affiliates will be expected to provide feedback about the process of applying for and the delivery of the Design Services. NRMCA will follow up with affiliates after receiving the service to determine how the program can be improved, how the design suggestions were used, and if the service led to concrete parking lot construction that would otherwise have been built with asphalt or other material. In addition, NRMCA may contact the project civil engineer and architect to determine if the suggestion were helpful in designing the concrete parking lot.

What will be included in the Design Suggestions?

For each application containing the necessary project information, ORMCA will provide the following Design Suggestions in return:

1. Suggestions for subbase and subgrade materials, compaction, and subgrade slopes.

2. Suggested concrete pavement thickness to be determined by acceptable engineering practices for anticipated loading conditions, including ACI 330 “Guide for Design and Construction of Concrete Parking Lots, NRMCA’s Concrete Parking Analyst software and other thickness design software programs offered by the American Concrete Pavement Association and design guides offered by the Portland Cement Association.

3. Suggested typical design details including curbs, gutters, drains, contraction joints, isolation joints, construction joints, thickened edges, tied joints, doweled joints, lug anchors, sidewalks, etc., following the guidelines of ACI 330.

4. Suggested jointing plan (s),

   1. Following the guidelines of ACI 330.

   2. With alternatives for pervious pavement sections.

5. Suggested specifications including concrete design strength, thickness, and other requirements for durability (air content, curing procedures, etc.) including consideration of new technologies, (such as fast set mixes for certain locations, temporary or permanent hydronic heating, dowels where needed for load transfer, etc.)

6. Suggested maintenance procedures for cleaning, surface sealing, and joint sealing to meet an anticipated service life of the pavement following the guidelines of ACI 330.

7. Disclaimer stating that the Design Suggestions are not every known fact about concrete pavement but complies with current industry standards. The final design is the responsibility of the engineer of record for the project.

8. Provide Design Suggestions back to Local Contact within 5 business days of receiving complete Project Information. Provide Design Suggestions back to Local Contact in electronic format via e-mail whenever possible or on CD via parcel delivery.