Commercial and Industrial

A supermarket requires swept path analysis for articulated lorry access to the service yard (typically an 18-metre artic), refuse collection vehicle access, and customer car park access for private cars. The service yard is the most complex element, requiring the articulated lorry to enter, manoeuvre to a loading dock, and exit safely. The loading dock approach and dock leveller position must accommodate the trailer swept path precisely.

A warehouse or distribution centre requires swept path analysis for articulated lorries using the loading docks, manoeuvring within the service yard, and entering and exiting the site. Articulated lorries backing into loading docks on a curve require careful swept path analysis because the trailer cut-in can be severe. The service yard dimensions are driven by the swept path requirements of the delivery fleet.

A loading dock is where delivery vehicles back up to the building to unload. The swept path analysis checks that an articulated lorry can enter the yard, approach the dock in reverse, position precisely at the dock, and exit safely. The approach angle and distances are critical to ensure the trailer aligns correctly with the dock without the tractor unit overhanging the boundary. This is one of the most technically demanding swept path scenarios.

The minimum service yard depth for a 16.5-metre articulated lorry to reverse into a loading dock depends on the approach angle and the dock arrangement. A straight-in reversal requires approximately 40–45 metres of depth in front of the dock. Angled reversal into a dock requires more width but can work with a shorter depth. Swept path analysis is used to determine the precise dimensions needed for the specific layout.

A hotel requires swept path analysis for coach access to the drop-off and pick-up area, refuse collection vehicle access, delivery vehicles, and car park access. The coach swept path at the hotel entrance is often the most demanding, as hotels frequently have architectural features such as canopies and entrance steps that constrain the swept path. Emergency vehicle access must also be demonstrated.

Office developments require swept path analysis for refuse collection vehicles, delivery vehicles for post and supplies (typically up to 7.5-tonne rigid), emergency vehicle access, and car park access. Large office developments may also require coach or minibus access for staff transport. The car park entry and exit is a common focus of swept path analysis for offices, particularly where underground or multistorey parking is involved.

A car dealership requires swept path analysis for vehicle delivery transporter access — typically an articulated car transporter of up to 18 metres — customer car park access, and service yard access. The car transporter is particularly demanding as it is wide, long, and sometimes operates with a hydraulic ramp that increases the swept path envelope. Fuel tanker access for the forecourt must also be checked if the dealership includes a fuel facility.

A petrol station requires swept path analysis for fuel tanker access and manoeuvring, customer access for cars and motorcycles, and potentially HGV access if the station serves commercial vehicles. The fuel tanker swept path typically governs the layout of the forecourt and delivery area. Swept path analysis must also check that the tanker can safely position over the underground tank fill points.

A restaurant or fast food outlet requires swept path analysis for waste collection vehicles, food delivery vehicles, and drive-through lanes if applicable. The drive-through queuing lane swept path must demonstrate that cars can navigate the lane without encroaching on the footway or adjacent carriageway. Staff access and customer parking should also be checked.

Pubs and nightclubs require swept path analysis for delivery vehicles — typically a rigid lorry for barrel and keg deliveries — refuse collection vehicles, and car park access. Delivery access for pubs in urban locations can be particularly constrained, as deliveries may occur in streets with parking and other obstructions. The swept path analysis must reflect the realistic conditions during delivery operations.

A drive-through restaurant requires swept path analysis for the entire drive-through route from entry to the order point, to the payment and collection windows, and back to the exit. The swept path must fit within the kerblined lane, not encroach on pedestrian areas, and allow adequate queue storage. The analysis typically uses a standard car as the design vehicle, though the dimensions should accommodate larger SUVs and vans.

A gym or leisure centre requires swept path analysis for refuse collection vehicle access, delivery vehicles for supplies and equipment, and car park access. For larger leisure centres with swimming pools or sports halls, service vehicle access for pool chemicals (tankers) or equipment delivery lorries may also be required. Emergency vehicle access throughout the development must be demonstrated.

A car wash requires swept path analysis to demonstrate that vehicles can enter, queue, navigate through the wash, and exit safely. The swept path of a car through an automatic car wash must show clearance from the wash equipment and any structural elements. The queueing area must be long enough to hold vehicles without blocking the public road.

A funeral home (funeral director's premises) requires swept path analysis for hearse access and the manoeuvres required to load and unload a hearse within the premises, refuse collection vehicle access, and general service vehicle access. The hearse swept path within the building or covered access area is particularly important to ensure that manoeuvres can be completed with dignity and without difficulty.

A garden centre requires swept path analysis for HGV delivery vehicles, plant and materials delivery lorries, refuse collection vehicles, and car park access. Large garden centres also require swept path analysis for articulated lorries delivering compost and bulk materials. The loading area must accommodate the largest delivery vehicles safely, and the car park layout must be practical for customers who may be loading large items into vehicles.

Data centres and utility buildings require swept path analysis for specialist delivery vehicles including generator transport lorries, cooling unit delivery vehicles, cable drum trucks, and emergency generator fuel tankers. These vehicles are often oversize or have specific manoeuvring requirements. Access roads to data centres must be capable of accommodating all these vehicles, often with more demanding standards due to the critical nature of the infrastructure.

A church or place of worship requires swept path analysis for refuse collection vehicles, event vehicle access (including coaches for large congregations), and emergency vehicle access. Car park layouts must accommodate the design vehicle safely. Funerals at churches present specific swept path requirements, as hearse and following vehicle convoys must navigate the access safely.

Theatres and cinemas require swept path analysis for refuse collection vehicles, delivery vehicles for set and equipment, coach access for group visits, and car park access. The coach set-down area is often a focus of swept path analysis as it must accommodate long coaches while keeping pedestrian areas safe and clear.

A marina or boat yard requires swept path analysis for boat transporters — large low-loaders carrying boats of various sizes — and forklift access within the yard. Boat transporters can be very long and wide, and the swept path on tight quayside roads can be extremely demanding. Access roads and junctions near marinas are often historical and may not have been designed for modern boat transporters.

Renewable energy installations require swept path analysis for abnormal load vehicles delivering turbine blades, nacelles, and tower sections (for wind farms) or structural components, inverters, and panel racking (for solar farms). Abnormal loads can be exceptionally long and wide, and the swept path on rural roads from the main highway to the site can involve complex manoeuvres at junctions and bends.

Quarries and aggregate sites require swept path analysis for heavy dump trucks, articulated lorries, and potentially abnormal load vehicles. The swept path on the site access and on adjacent public roads must demonstrate safe vehicle movements. The high volume of heavy vehicles using quarry accesses means that the junction design must be particularly robust.

A fire station requires swept path analysis for fire engine access, specifically demonstrating that fire engines can exit the station quickly and safely in all traffic conditions. The swept path of a fire engine emerging from the station bays onto the public road, potentially against traffic flow, must be assessed. The turning movements of fire engines within the station yard must also be checked.

A police station requires swept path analysis for public vehicle access, including disabled access to the front entrance, and for police vehicle access to secure rear yards. Police vehicles include standard cars, vans, armed response vehicles, incident command units, and specialist vehicles. The secure yard must accommodate all these vehicles for manoeuvring and parking.

A bus depot requires swept path analysis for bus movements within the depot, at the entry and exit, and at refuelling and washing facilities. Multiple buses manoeuvring simultaneously in a depot creates complex swept path interactions. The analysis must show that buses can navigate safely without conflicting with each other during peak movements.

Railway station swept path analysis covers road vehicle access for taxis, buses, private cars, delivery vehicles, and accessibility vehicles. Kiss-and-ride drop-off areas must accommodate cars navigating safely with pedestrians present. Coach set-down areas must accommodate full-size coaches. Station service access for maintenance vehicles must be checked separately.

A hospital A&E department requires swept path analysis for ambulance access to the emergency entrance, helicopter landing pads (if applicable), and staff and visitor car park access. Ambulances must be able to access the emergency bay quickly and efficiently, often under time pressure. The swept path must demonstrate clear routes without obstruction from parked vehicles or street furniture.

A logistics hub requires swept path analysis for articulated lorry access to loading docks, van access to secondary loading areas, and the manoeuvring space within the yard for multiple vehicles simultaneously. High-volume parcel depots may have dozens of vehicles manoeuvring simultaneously, and the yard layout must allow all vehicles to navigate safely.

A prison or secure facility requires swept path analysis for prisoner transport vehicles, delivery lorries, refuse collection vehicles, and emergency vehicle access. Security gates and airlocks at secure facilities present specific swept path challenges, as the gate dimensions and approach geometry must allow all required vehicles to pass through safely.

A sports stadium requires swept path analysis for coach access and parking for visiting teams and supporters, refuse collection vehicle access, delivery vehicles for catering and merchandise, and emergency vehicle access throughout the site. The scale of events at stadia means that coach access must accommodate very large numbers of coaches safely.

A university campus requires swept path analysis for the main access junctions, service vehicle access to buildings, refuse collection vehicle routes, and coach and minibus access for students. The delivery access to individual buildings across a large campus must accommodate a variety of vehicles including furniture lorries, laboratory equipment delivery vehicles, and catering delivery vans.