Patent Publication Number: US-2022213654-A1

Title: Parking Lot Systems

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/314,019, filed, May 6, 2021, and entitled, “Parking Lot Systems,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/025,818, filed on May 15, 2020, and entitled, “Parking Lot Systems.” Both applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application is directed, in general, to parking cars, and more specifically, to parking lot systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Parking lots tend to require a lot a valuable real estate in order to accommodate an appropriate number of parking spaces. In some jurisdictions, a minimum number of parking spaces must be provided depending on the size of the building corresponding to the parking lot. Meanwhile, the lack of space for opening automobile doors may cause damage to automobiles and make it more difficult for people to enter and exit their automobiles. 
     A common parking lot arrangement positions parking spaces, or stalls, perpendicular to the driveway. This type of arrangement either takes up a lot of real estate or the parking spaces tend to be so small that it is difficult to open automobile doors without hitting automobiles parked in adjacent spaces. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an illustrative embodiment, a parking lot system includes a first one-way driveway in a first direction and a second one-way driveway in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. The second one-way driveway is adjacent to the first one-way driveway. The first driveway comprising a first plurality of parking spaces on one side, wherein each parking space of the first plurality of parking spaces comprises a first rectangular space sized to accommodate an automobile and having a second rectangle adjacent to the first rectangle. The second rectangle comprises a buffer zone into which a door of an automobile in the first rectangle may open. The second driveway comprising a second plurality of parking spaces on one side closest to the first driveway. Each parking space of the second plurality of parking spaces comprises a third rectangular space sized to accommodate an automobile. The second rectangle is adjacent to the third rectangle and comprises the buffer zone into which a door of an automobile in the third rectangle may open. The first plurality of parking spaces and the second plurality of space at least partially abut one another directly. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment, a parking lot system includes a first driveway extending in a first one-way direction of travel, the first driveway comprising a first plurality of angled parking spaces positioned on one side of the first driveway. Each parking space of the first plurality of angled parking spaces forms a first rectangular space sized to accommodate an automobile, the first rectangular space at least partially defined by a first side, a second side and a third side, wherein the first and second sides are parallel. The parking lot system further includes a second driveway extending in a second one-way direction of travel that is opposite to the first one-way direction, the second driveway comprises a second plurality of angled parking spaces positioned on a side of the second driveway closest to the first driveway, wherein each parking space of the second plurality of angled parking spaces forms a second rectangular space sized to accommodate an automobile. The second rectangular space is at least partially defined by a first side, a second side and a third side, wherein the first and second sides of the second rectangular space are parallel. The parking lot system further includes a plurality of buffer zones, wherein a perimeter of each of the plurality of buffer zones is formed by a portion of the first and second plurality of angled parking spaces such that the each of the plurality of buffer zones is surrounded on all sides by the first and second plurality of angled parking spaces. The first plurality of parking spaces and the second plurality of parking spaces at least partially abut one another directly. 
     According to yet another illustrative embodiment, a parking lot system includes a first one-way driveway in a first direction and a second one-way driveway in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. The first driveway has a first plurality of angled parking spaces on one side, wherein each parking space of the first plurality of angled parking spaces comprises a first rectangular space sized to accommodate an automobile. The second one-way driveway is adjacent to the first one-way driveway and has a second plurality of angled parking spaces on one side closest to the first driveway, wherein each parking space of the second plurality of angled parking spaces comprises a second rectangular space sized to accommodate an automobile. The parking lot system further includes a buffer zone positioned between the first plurality of angled parking spaces and the second plurality of angled parking spaces. The buffer zone comprises a gap in a zig-zag pattern that extends along a length of the first and second plurality of angled parking spaces. The gap is sized to form a pedestrian walkway between the first plurality of angled parking spaces and the second plurality of angled parking spaces. The gap is further sized for receiving a door from an automobile positioned in any of the first and second plurality of angled parking spaces. 
     According to another illustrative embodiment, a parking lot system includes a plurality of one-way driveways with adjacent driveways going in opposite directions. For each one-way driveway, the system includes a plurality of first parking spaces and a second plurality of parking spaces. Each parking space of the first plurality of parking spaces and the second plurality of parking spaces has a longitudinal length of between 130% to 140% of an average car length. Each parking space of the first plurality of parking spaces and the second plurality of parking spaces is angled with respect to a direction of the one-way driveway between 25 and 35 degrees. Other systems and methods are disclosed. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top, plan view of a parking lot system, according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a top, plan view of another parking lot system, according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 3A  is a top, plan view of a parking lot system, according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 3B  is a detail of a portion of the parking lot system of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a top, plan view of a parking lot system, according to an illustrative embodiment; and 
         FIG. 4B  is a detail of a portion of the parking lot system of  FIG. 4A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Real estate for parking lots can be expensive. Parking lot arrangements and systems that efficiently use space, while helping to avoid interference when opening automobile doors and avoiding door dings between adjacent automobiles may be beneficial. 
     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 1 , a top, plan view of a parking lot system  100 , according to an illustrative embodiment, is presented. The parking lot system  100  includes a first driveway  102 , or aisle, and a second driveway  104 , or aisle. The first driveway  102  and the second driveway  104  are one-way driveways that are arranged in opposing directions. The first driveway  102  includes a first plurality of angled parking spaces  106 . The second driveway  104  includes a second plurality of angled parking spaces  108 . The parking lot system  100  further includes a plurality of buffer zones  110 . The plurality of buffer zones  110  help prevent interference between automobiles parked in adjacent parking spaces in any of the first or second plurality of angled parking spaces  106 ,  108 , while maximizing the automobile capacity within the parking lot. 
     The first driveway  102  is a one-way driveway extending in a first direction indicated by arrows  116 . The first driveway  102  includes the first plurality of parking spaces  106  at least on one side of the first driveway  102 . The first plurality of parking spaces  106  are positioned at an angle  120  relative to the first direction  116 . The angle  120 , in some embodiments, is steeper (smaller angle) than an average parking lot today, which may allow a width,  103 , of the first driveway  102  to be narrower. The first plurality of parking spaces  106  are delineated by marked lines  118 . In some embodiments, the marked lines  118  may be formed with paint or a covering or curbs. In still other embodiments, the parking spaces  106  may be interpreted by the front of the car to the front line, or third side  134  alone; in other words, only the front lines could be used. 
     The parking spaces of the first plurality parking spaces  106  comprise a first rectangular space  112 , or first rectangle, which is at least partially delineated by the marked lines  118 . While referenced as a rectangle, one or more of the sides, e.g., an entrance, may be missing. This is also true of the other rectangles mentioned herein. 
     The first rectangular space  112  is shown with an automobile  114  for which it is sized. The first rectangular space  112 , includes a first side  130 , a second side  132  opposing the first side  130  and a third side  134  orthogonal to the other two sides. The first side  130  and the second side  132  of the first rectangular space  112  are substantially parallel. Each of the parking spaces of the first plurality of parking spaces  106  are staggered relative to an adjacent parking space of the first plurality parking spaces  106 . Staggering the first plurality of parking spaces  106  relative to each other may allow automobiles parked in adjacent spaces, within the first plurality of parking spaces  106 , to be able to open doors  150  at the same time without interference between the automobile doors. In some aspects, staggering the first plurality of parking spaces  106  relative to an adjacent parking space allows front driver and passenger doors to open into an area either in front of or behind adjacent automobiles. In yet some aspects, staggering the first plurality of parking spaces  106  relative to adjacent parking space may allow for the parking spaces to be narrower. 
     The second driveway  104  is analogous to the first driveway  102 . The second driveway  104  is a one-way driveway extending in a second direction indicated by arrows  122 . The second driveway  104  includes the second plurality of parking spaces  108  on one side of the second driveway  104 . The second plurality of parking spaces  108  are positioned at an angle  121  relative to the second direction  122 . The angle  121  of the second plurality of parking spaces  108  relative to the second direction  122  is typically equal to the angle  120  of the first plurality parking spaces  106  relative to the first direction  120 . The angle  121 , similar to angle  120 , may be steeper than an average parking lot today to allow a width,  105 , of the second driveway  104  to be narrower. The second plurality of parking spaces  108  are delineated by the marked lines  118 , which, in some embodiments, may be formed with paint or a covering or curbs. In still other embodiments, the parking spaces  108  may be interpreted by the front of the car to the front line, or third side  140  alone; in other words, only the front lines could be used. The second driveway  104  is adjacent to the first driveway  102  with a parking area (e.g., spaces  106 ,  108 ) between them. 
     The parking spaces for the second plurality of parking spaces  108  comprise a second rectangular space  124 , which is at least partially delineated by the marked lines  118 . The second rectangular space  124  is sized to accommodate the automobile  114 . The second rectangular space  124  includes a first side  136 , a second side  138  opposed to the first side  136  and a third side  140  orthogonal to the other two sides  136 ,  138 . The first side  136  and the second side  138  of the second rectangular space  124  are substantially parallel. The parking spaces of the second plurality parking spaces  108  are staggered relative to an adjacent parking space of the second plurality spaces  108 . Similar to the first plurality of parking spaces  106 , staggering the second plurality of parking spaces  108  relative to each other may allow automobiles parked in adjacent spaces, within the second plurality of parking spaces  108 , to be able to open doors at the same time without interference between the automobile door and an adjacent car. In some aspects, staggering the second plurality of parking spaces  108  relative to an adjacent parking space allows front driver and passenger doors to open into to an area either in front of or behind adjacent automobiles. In yet some aspects, staggering the second plurality of parking spaces  108  relative to adjacent parking space allows for the parking spaces to be narrower. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first plurality of parking spaces  106  at least partially abut the second plurality of parking spaces  108 . Portions of the first plurality of parking spaces  106  are collinear with portions of the second plurality of parking spaces  108 . In some aspects, the third side  134  of the first rectangular space  112  at least partially abuts the third side  140  of the second rectangular space  124 . In yet some aspects, the third side  134  of the first rectangular space  112  is collinear with the third side  140  of the second rectangular space  124 ; in some embodiments, it is the same line. 
     Referring still primarily to  FIG. 1 , the parking lot system  100  further includes the plurality of buffer zones  110 . Each of the plurality of buffer zones  110  has a perimeter  128 . The perimeter  128  may be defined by the first and second plurality of parking spaces  106 ,  108  or a portion thereof. In some aspects, the plurality of buffer zones  110  is also delineated by a portion of the marked lines  118 . Each of the plurality of buffer zones  110  comprises a third rectangular space  126 . The third rectangular space  126  is adjacent to the first rectangular space  112  and the second rectangular space  124 . The third rectangular space  126  is configured to provide an area for automobile doors to open without interference from an adjacent car. In some aspects, a door from an automobile in the first rectangular space  112  and a door of an automobile in the second rectangular space  124 , which is adjacent thereto, may open concurrently without interference. 
     The third rectangular space  126  includes a first side  142 , a second side  144 , a third side  146  and a fourth side  148 . The first side  142  and the second side  144  of the third rectangular space  126  are substantially parallel. The third side  146  and the fourth side  148  of the third rectangular space  126  are substantially parallel. Collectively, the first side  142 , the second side  144 , the third side  146 , and the fourth side  148  of the third rectangular space  126  form the perimeter  128  of each of the plurality of buffer zones  110 . The third rectangular space  126  has a length  127  that extends between the third side  146  and the fourth side  148 . The third rectangular space  126  also has a width  129  that extends between the first side  142  and the second side  144 . 
     In an embodiment, the first side  142  of the third rectangular space  126  at least partially abuts the second side  132  of one of the first rectangular spaces  112 . Typically, the fourth side  148  of the third rectangular space  126  at least partially abuts the third side  134  of another of the first rectangular spaces  112 . The third side  146  of the third rectangular space  126  at least partially abuts the third side  140  of one of the second rectangular spaces  124 . The second side  144  of the third rectangular space  126  at least partially abuts the first side  136  of one of the second rectangular spaces  124 . 
     In an embodiment, the first side  142  of the third rectangular space  126  is collinear, at least partially adjacent with the second side  132  of one of the first rectangular spaces  112  and the first side  130  of another of the first rectangular spaces  112 ; in one embodiment, the collinear adjacent portion comprises between 20% and 60% of the length of sides  130 ,  132 , and all of side  142 . In most instances, the fourth side  148  of the third rectangular space  126  is, at least partially adjacent and collinear with the third side  134  of the another of the first rectangular spaces  112 ; in one embodiment, the adjacent collinear portion is between 10% and 60% of side  134 . The second side  144  of the third rectangular space  126  is, at least partially adjacent and collinear with the second side  138  of one of the second rectangular spaces  124  and the first side  136  of another of the second rectangular spaces  124 ; in one embodiment, the adjacent collinear portion is between 20% and 60% of sides  136 ,  138 . The third side  146  of the third rectangular space  126  is, at least partially adjacent and collinear with the third side  140  of the one of the second rectangular spaces  124 ; in one embodiment the adjacent collinear portion is between 10% and 60% of side  140 . 
     In an embodiment, the first side  142  of the third rectangular space  126  at least partially abuts the second side  132  of one of the first rectangular spaces  112  and is at least partially also collinear with the second side  132  of one of a first rectangular space  112  and the first side  130  of another of the first rectangular spaces  112 . The second side  144  of the third rectangular space  126  at least partially abuts the first side  136  of one of the second rectangular spaces  124  and is also collinear with the second side  138  of one of the second rectangular spaces  124 . The third side  146  of the third rectangular space  126  at least partially abuts and is at least partially collinear with the third side  140  of one of the second rectangular spaces  124 . The fourth side  148  of the third rectangular space  126  at least partially abuts and is at least partially collinear with the third side  134  of the one of the first rectangular spaces  112 . 
     In some aspects, the first plurality of parking spaces  106  is staggered relative to each other, in the direction a car parks, a distance equal to a length  127  of the buffer zone  110 . The length of  127  the buffer zone  110  extends between the third side  146  and the fourth side  148  of the third rectangular space  126 . Likewise, the second plurality of parking spaces  108  are staggered relative to each other a distance equal to the length,  127 , of the buffer zone  110 . In some aspects, some of the first plurality of parking spaces  106  are offset from some of the second plurality of parking spaces  108  a distance equal to the width  129 , of the buffer zone  110 . The width  129  extends between the first and second side  142 ,  144  of the buffer zone  110 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 2 , a top, plan view of a parking lot system  200 , according to an illustrative embodiment, is presented. The parking lot system  200  includes a first driveway  202 , or aisle, and a second driveway  204 , or aisle. The first driveway  202  and the second driveway  204  are one-way driveways that are arranged in opposing directions. The first driveway  202  includes a first plurality of angled parking spaces  206 , or parking stalls. The second driveway  204  includes a second plurality of angled parking spaces  208 , or parking stalls. The parking lot system  200  further includes a buffer zone  210 . The buffer zone  210  provides a walkway for pedestrians between the first and second plurality of angled parking spaces  206 ,  208  and creates room between parking spaces to help prevent interference between automobiles parked in adjacent parking spaces. 
     The first driveway  202  is a one-way driveway extending in a first direction indicated by arrows  216 . The first driveway  202  includes the first plurality of parking spaces  206  on one side of the first driveway  202 . The first plurality of parking spaces  206  are positioned at an angle  220  relative to the first direction  216 . The angle  220 , in some embodiments, is steeper (smaller angle) that an average parking lot today, which may allow a width,  203 , of the first driveway  202  to be narrower. The first plurality of parking spaces  206  are delineated by marked lines  218 . In some embodiments, the marked lines  218  may be formed with paint or a covering or curbs. 
     The parking spaces of the first plurality of parking spaces  206  comprise a first rectangular space  212 , which is at least partially delineated by the marked lines  218 . The first rectangular space  212  is sized to accommodate an automobile  214 . The first rectangular space  212  includes a first side  230 , a second side  232  and a third side  234 . The first side  230  and the second side  232  of the first rectangular space  212  are substantially parallel. The parking spaces of the first plurality of parking spaces  206  are staggered with respect to the direction a car pulls in and relative to an adjacent parking space of the first plurality of parking spaces  206  by a length  209 . Staggering the first plurality of parking spaces  206  relative to each other allows automobiles parked in adjacent spaces, within the first plurality of parking spaces  206 , to be able to open doors  250  at the same time without interference. In some aspects, staggering the first plurality of parking spaces  206  relative to an adjacent parking space allows front driver and passenger doors to open into to an area either in front of or behind adjacent automobiles. In yet some aspects, staggering the first plurality of parking spaces  206  relative to adjacent parking space allows for the parking spaces to be narrower. 
     The second driveway  204  is analogous to the first driveway  202 . The second driveway  204  is a one-way driveway extending in a second direction indicated by arrows  222 . The second driveway  204  includes the second plurality of parking spaces  208  on one side of the second driveway  204 . The second plurality of parking spaces  208  are positioned at an angle  221  relative to the second direction  222 . The angle  221  of the second plurality of parking spaces  208  relative to the second direction  222  may be equal to the angle  220  of the first plurality parking spaces  206  relative to the first direction  220 . The angle  221 , similar to angle  220 , maybe steeper than an average parking lot today to allow a width,  205 , of the second driveway  204  to be narrower. The second plurality of parking spaces  208  are delineated by the marked lines  218 , which, in some embodiments, may be formed with paint or a covering or curbs. 
     The parking spaces for the second plurality of parking spaces  208  comprise a second rectangular space  224 , which is at least partially delineated by the marked lines  218 . The second rectangular space  224  is sized to accommodate the automobile e.g., automobile  214 . The second rectangular space  224  includes a first side  236 , a second side  238  and a third side  240 . The first side  236  and the second side  238  of the second rectangular space  224  are substantially parallel. The parking spaces of the second plurality parking spaces  208  are staggered relative to the direction an automobile parks and relative to an adjacent parking space of the second plurality of spaces  208  by a length  207 , which is equal to the length  209 . Similar to the first plurality of parking spaces  206 , staggering the second plurality of parking spaces  208  relative to each other allows automobiles parked in adjacent spaces, within the second plurality of parking spaces  208 , to be able to open doors at the same time without interference between the automobile doors. In some aspects, staggering the second plurality of parking spaces  208  relative to an adjacent parking space allows front driver and passenger doors to open into an area either in front of or behind adjacent automobiles. In yet some aspects, staggering the second plurality of parking spaces  208  relative to adjacent parking space allows for the parking spaces to be narrower. 
     Referring still primarily to  FIG. 2 , the parking lot system  200  further includes the buffer zone  210 . The buffer zone  210  is sized to provide a walkway for pedestrians between the first and second plurality of angled parking spaces  206 ,  208  and to create room between adjacent parking spaces to help prevent interference between automobiles parked therein. Automobiles parked in adjacent parking spaces may include automobiles parked adjacent to each other in the first plurality of parking spaces  206 , automobiles parked adjacent to each other in the second plurality of parking spaces  208 , and automobiles parked adjacent to each other in both the first and second plurality of parking spaces  206 ,  208 . 
     The buffer zone  210  is positioned between the first and second plurality of angled parking spaces  206 ,  208  and, in some embodiments, extends a length  211  that is equal to the overall length of the first and second plurality of angled parking spaces  206 ,  208 . The buffer zone  210  forms a gap  252  that separates the first and second plurality of angled parking spaces  206 ,  208 . In some aspects, the buffer zone  210  has a zig-zag pattern that extends the length  211  of the buffer zone  210 . 
     The buffer zone  210  separates the third side  234  of the first rectangular space  212  and the third side  240  of the second rectangular space  224  by a distance  241 . The buffer zone  210  also separates the second side  232  of the first rectangular space  212  and the first side  236  of the second rectangular space  224  a distance,  245  or  247 . In some embodiments, the distance,  241 , between the third side  234  of the first rectangular space  212  and the third side  240  of the second space  224  is greater than the distance,  245  or  247 , between the second side  232  of the first rectangular space  212  and the first side  236  the second rectangular space  224 . In some embodiments, the distance  241  is between 15 inches and 70 inches. In some embodiments, the width of the gap  252  at its smallest is between 15 and 70 inches. 
     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 3A-3B , another illustrative embodiment of a parking lot system  300  is presented such as be used with a retail facility  304 . The parking lot  306  for the retail facility  304  may include a fire lane  308  on one end and two-way aisle  312  that access plurality of one-way driveways  316 . 
     Each of the one-way driveways  316  has a first plurality of parking stalls or spaces  320  on one side and a second plurality of parking stalls or spaces  324  on the opposite side. Each plurality of parking spaces  320 ,  324  (except very end ones) is adjacent with one on the adjacent aisle and has colinear markings or stripes, e.g., marking or stripe  328  forms a portion of a particular parking space  332  and extends to form marking or stripe  336  of particular parking space  340 . 
     As seen best in  FIG. 3B , useable length  344  of a space of the plurality of spaces  324  (or  320 ) is in the range of 18-22 feet and in one embodiment is 20 feet. A width  348  of the same space may be in the range of 8 to 10 feet and in one example is 9 feet. A distance  352  between parking spaces on opposite sides of the driveway  316  is in the range of 12.5 feet and 14.5 feet and in one embodiment was 13 feet 11 inches. An angle of the parking spaces  320 ,  324  may be defined as an angle  356 , which is an angle between a line  358  orthogonal to the direction of driveway  316  and a longitudinal line  360  of the parking space or by an angle  364  between the longitudinal line  360  of the parking space and the direction of the driveway  316 . In one embodiment, angle  364  is in the range of 25-40 and in one embodiment is 30 degrees. Alternatively stated, in one embodiment, angle  356  is in the range of 50-65 and in embodiment is 60 degrees. 
     As suggested by the automobiles  368  and  372 , the parking lot system  300  with the angles and length of the parking spaces provides parking where the car doors of adjacent cars will not hit the adjacent car. While the number of parking spaces may be reduced some, the contentment of the drivers is presumably enhanced. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the equivalent lot size for a traditional parking lot (excluding handicapped parking) would total approximately 572 spaces when the parking space or stall is 9 feet by 19 feet, single driver driveways that are 20 feet wide and two-way driveways that are 24 feet wide, with three two-way aisles, and stalls at a 30-degree angle. The 30-degree angle is with respect to a reference line orthogonal to the direction of the driveway (see  356  in  FIG. 3B ). In the parking lot system  300  shown, the number of spaces drops to approximately 371 (excluding handicap parking) with park stalls 9 feet×20 feet; single drive driveways at 13 feet 11 inches and no two-way drive aisles. The angles on the parking stalls or slots are 60 degrees for angle  356 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 4A-4B , another illustrative embodiment of a parking lot system  400  according to the present disclosure is presented such as be used with a retail facility  404 . The parking lot  406  for the retail facility  404  may include a fire lane  408  on one end and two-way aisle  412  that access plurality of one-way driveways  416 . The system  400  includes a plurality of buffer zones  420 . This is a configuration for the same available space for the parking lot shown in  FIG. 3A  and is analogous in many respects to the system  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
     As seen more clearly in  FIG. 4B , each driveway or aisle  416  has a first plurality of parking spaces  428  on one side and second plurality of parking spaces  432  on the other side. Each parking space has a longitudinal length  436  in the range of 15-25 feet and in one embodiment is 19 feet and has a lateral width  440  in the range of 6 to 12 feet and in one embodiment is 9 feet. A distance  444  across the driveway  416  is in the range of 8-16 feet and in one embodiment is 12 feet. The spaces are angled as shown by angle  448  between a longitudinal line  452  of a parking space and a line  456  perpendicular (or orthogonal) to the direction of the driveway  416  or alternatively by angle  460  between the longitudinal line  452  and the direction of the driveway  416 . In one embodiment, angle  448  is in the range of 30 to 80 degrees and in one embodiment is 55 degrees. In other embodiment, angle  448  is 50 degrees. In another embodiment, angle  448  is 60 degrees. Angle  460  is in the range of 10-60 degrees and in one embodiment is 35 degrees. In one embodiment, each buffer zone  420  has a longitudinal length  464  in the range of 10-16 feet and in one embodiment is 13 feet and has a lateral width  468  is in the range of 1 to 4 feet and in one embodiment is 2 feet six inches. In another embodiment, lateral width  468  is two feet. In another embodiment, lateral width  468  is three feet. 
     In a specific illustrative embodiment with dimensions that are as follows: longitudinal length  436  is 19 feet; lateral width  440  is 9 feet; distance across the driveway  444  is 12 feet, and the angle orthogonal to the driveway and with respect to a side of the space is 55 degrees, and excluding handicap parking,  486  parking stalls are available, each 9′×19′ with the single drive aisles at 12′ wide and the two-way aisles at 24′ wide. Only the ends are two-way. Again, the parking stalls are at 55 degrees in this embodiment. 
     According to an illustrative embodiment and with reference to  FIG. 1  again, a parking lot system  100  includes a first one-way driveway  102  extending in a first direction  116  and a second one-way driveway  104  extending in a second direction  122  that is opposite to the first direction  116 . The second one-way driveway  104  is adjacent to the first one-way driveway  102  separated by a parking area (e.g., center portion of  FIG. 1 ). 
     The first one-way driveway includes a first plurality of parking spaces  106  on one side. Each parking space of the first plurality of parking spaces  106  includes a first rectangular space  112  formed by lines, except at an entrance, and is sized to accommodate at least an average automobile. In addition, a second rectangular space  126  formed by lines and adjacent to the first rectangular space  112 . The second rectangular space  126  forms a buffer zone  110 . When an automobile is parked in the first rectangular space  112 , a door of the automobile opens into the buffer zone  110 . 
     In one illustrative embodiment, the first rectangular space  112  has a longitudinal length L 1 , e.g., 15-30 feet, and the second rectangular space  126  has a longitudinal length L 2  running parallel and adjacent to a side of the first rectangular space  112 , and L 2  is between 15 and 60% of L 1  and is sized to accommodate a door of an automobile. In one example, L 1  is 20 feet and L 2  is six feet long. In another example, L 1  is 18 feet and L 2  is 5.5 feet. In still another example, L 1  is between 17 and 21 feet and L 2  is between 3.4 and 12.6 feet. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that different dimensions may be used for different applications or vehicle sizes. 
     The second one-way driveway  104  includes a second plurality of parking spaces  108  on one side closest to the first one-way driveway  102 . Each parking space of the second plurality of parking spaces  108  includes a third rectangular space  124  formed by lines, except at perhaps an entrance and is sized to accommodate an automobile. The second rectangular space  126  associated with an adjacent space of the first plurality of parking spaces  106  is also adjacent to a portion of the space of the second plurality of spaces  108  and is positioned to receive a car door when an automobile is parked within the space of the second plurality of parking spaces  108 . 
     The first plurality of parking spaces  106  and the second plurality of parking spaces  108  at least partially abut one another directly. The buffer zone  110  is enclosed on each side by the first plurality of parking spaces  106  and the second plurality of parking spaces  108 . 
     In the detailed description herein of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims. Unless otherwise indicated, as used throughout this document, “or” does not require mutual exclusivity. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been disclosed in the context of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, permutations, and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. It will be appreciated that any feature that is described in a connection to any one embodiment may also be applicable to any other embodiment.