30 – SITE & LANDSCAPE
31 – LANDSCAPE AREAS
32 – FENCING
33 – VEHICULAR ACCESS
Subset 33 aims to demonstrate how vehicles can safely and legally access a garage or parking area from the street. It involves planning, modeling, and coordinating all elements of the vehicular path from the road to the building, including:
- Driveway design and location
- Ramp gradients and transitions
- Site and street level coordination
- Public domain integration (kerbs, footpaths, crossfalls)
- Compliance with AS2890.1, AS2890.2, and council standards
While the drawings are often simple, successful delivery requires a solid understanding of civil design, gradients, clearances, and local council constraints.
Calculation of ramps
Minimum Output Drawings
At a minimum, the Vehicular Access set includes:
- Floor Plan
Including driveway path to the garage, crossover location, centerline of the road, RLs, and boundary limits. - Longitudinal Section
A profile from the road centerline to the garage slab, showing:- Kerb, gutter, footpath
- Ramp segments with RLs and gradients
- Basement slab and clearance lines
- Any underground infrastructure
- Transverse Sections
Through each key segment of the ramp, to demonstrate:- Compliance with max slope transitions (e.g. 12.5%)
- Crossfalls and street variations
- Typical construction: layback, kerb, footpath, and slab
- Sight Triangle Diagram
Especially in multi-residential or traffic-heavy areas, a 2.5m x 2.0m triangle within the property is used to demonstrate driver visibility through footpaths.
Ramp Design Standards (Australia)
| Segment | Max Gradient | Min Length (Typical) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transition In/Out | 12.5% | 2.0m | At both start and end of ramp |
| Ramp Body | 25% | Variable | Main slope between transitions |
| Resting Area | 5% or less | 6.0m (typically) | Before crossing footpath – may be reduced with approval |
| Crossfalls | 1 in 40 | – | Footpath/road drainage standard |
Total gradient changes must not exceed 12.5% between any two adjacent ramp segments.
Source of Truth
- Survey Plan
Must show accurate RLs at kerb, gutter (GEO), edge of road, and within property. Always discern between RLs for ground vs. top-of-wall vs. kerb. - Stormwater/Civil Plans (if applicable)
Required when integrating driveway with stormwater design (e.g., pits, grates, trenches). - Traffic Engineer Documents
Especially in the C-term, a traffic engineer may produce final compliance drawings, swept paths, and parking assessments. However, architects should design a feasible solution first. - Council Standard Details
For kerb types, laybacks, gutter profiles, and public domain works. These are often available in public documentation and reused in civil sets.
Coordination Requirements
- Boundary and Public Domain Clarity
Clearly indicate where the private property ends and public work starts. Label laybacks, kerb and gutter profiles, and any proposed modifications to the footpath. - Clearance Checks
Show and verify vertical clearance above ramps (especially under overhead beams or slabs). - Swept Path Analysis (in traffic engineer scope)
Especially required in multi-dwelling or narrow entry scenarios.
Common Pitfalls
- Missing or incorrect RLs for kerb, gutter, or garage
- Oversteep ramp segments without proper transitions
- No resting area before footpath crossing
- Sight triangles placed outside the property (should be within site boundaries)
- Lack of clearance section or profile through key points
- Ignoring crossfall impact on transverse ramp sections