Everyone familiar with rural or commercial property knows that access point plays an important role in defining what comes next. Good entrance does not only ensure a way for vehicles to pass through but is crucial for safety and daily operations. There are particular challenges of working in Australia due to harsh weather conditions and necessary transportation. Well-considered planning can save you much time and money in the future.
An entrance point can be considered as a key bottleneck for operations of any rural or commercial property. The problem is that the space for manoeuvre of the entrance may prove to be too small for heavy trucks and other vehicles. Poorly planned drainage results in problems during rain and makes access impossible at all.
The most important issue one has to consider when planning an entrance to a rural or commercial property is traffic flow. One has to know the sizes and turning radius of largest vehicles coming to your property. In the case of rural property, it may include various machinery and livestock transport, while for commercial site one should provide for entrance and exit of semitrailers, delivery vans and others. All these vehicles should easily pass without blocking traffic flow on the main roads.
The issue of safety cannot be neglected either. Lines of sight should be clear for drivers to leave a property and turn out onto a main street. Before starting any building operations, it is important to check the requirements of local council because each locality has its own specifications in regard to setback distance, width of driveway and other peculiarities. Environmental impacts should be also taken into account since poorly planned entrances may cause serious environmental problems such as poor drainage and soil erosion due to lack of proper grading and installation of culverts.
Core Design Principles to Consider
You have to prioritise functionality when designing a new access point. It means that your gate should be spacious enough to provide easy passage of large vehicles. You can use automated gate system for this purpose, so that no person leaves the vehicle.
Durability is also extremely important issue to address since commercial and rural access points are subject to high traffic load, vibration and adverse weather conditions. Thus, it is crucial to build a strong foundation and plan a structure that will endure these loads. Otherwise, your investment will be wasted after a certain period of time.
Finally, aesthetics is also of great importance as it affects the image of your property and gives it a distinctive character. A rural property becomes more attractive when it boasts beautiful gates, while commercial enterprises attract customers with professional looking entrances. You should choose materials and colours, which harmoniously match the surroundings.
Choosing Appropriate Material
It is important to select appropriate materials in order to prolong lifetime of your access point. In terms of gates, heavy-duty galvanised steel is usually the best option, because it is more durable in comparison with wood or aluminium and does not sag even under harsh weather conditions. Depending on the space available, you can opt for a sliding gate or a swinging one.
In terms of perimeter protection, a chain-link fence serves as a perfect option due to several reasons. First, this fence provides good visibility for drivers, thus improving safety of those entering your property. Second, a chain link fence with a gate is durable and does not require much maintenance, and, finally, it can resist adverse weather conditions.
When it comes to surfacing materials, concrete is usually the best solution, particularly for entrance with heavy traffic. Although this material costs much, it has high durability. Crushed gravel is also a good choice, especially for rural driveways. When using this type of material, it is important to compact and grade sub-base in order to prevent formation of potholes.
To Finish
Good access point increases security level, improves efficiency and, as a result, raises the value of your property. With careful assessment of traffic flow and selection of materials, you will end up having a well-built entrance. Consult a professional contractor to implement your vision.
