American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What is the typical angle in degrees for parallel parking spaces?

1. 0

2. 30

3. 45

4. 90

The correct answer is: 0

The typical angle for parallel parking spaces is 0 degrees, meaning they are aligned parallel to the curb or the edge of the street. This configuration allows vehicles to park directly next to the curb without needing to angle or maneuver into the space at a different orientation. In urban planning, parallel parking is designed this way to maximize the use of space on city streets while minimizing the disruption to traffic flow. Aligning parked vehicles parallel to the curb helps create clear sight lines for both drivers and pedestrians, and it typically allows for additional available parking spaces compared to angled parking configurations. While there are other parking angles, like 30 degrees, 45 degrees, and 90 degrees, these are tailored for off-street parking lots or areas where maximizing the number of vehicles parked in a given area is a priority, rather than just fitting alongside the roadway.