Building Systems – Walker Consultants

Think Ahead, Spend Less: The Long-Term Value of Early Decisions in Parking Structure Restoration

Walker Consultants — Thu, 28 May 2026 18:54:55 +0000

Parking structures require ongoing operational, structural, and architectural maintenance to remain safe, functional, and financially viable. While restoration budgets understandably often focus on the costs of current repair expenditures, the decisions made at the outset of a parking structure’s service life have a far greater influence on future operating expenses. In parking structure restoration and maintenance, the choices made during assessment, repair design, and material selection directly influence durability, repair frequency, downtime, and lifecycle cost.

By investing in informed planning and budgeting early in the parking structure’s service life, owners can reduce ongoing maintenance demands while extending the service life of their structures.

Understanding the Root Causes Before Designing Solutions

Escalating maintenance costs are frequently driven by repairs that address symptoms and visible deterioration without resolving the conditions causing it.

Cracking, spalling, corrosion, and water infiltration are often symptoms of deeper issues such as inadequate drainage, failed waterproofing systems, or prolonged exposure to chlorides from deicing salts and the surrounding environment.

A thorough condition assessment allows project teams to identify not only what is deteriorating, but why. Evaluating structural systems, traffic patterns, environmental exposure, and past maintenance practices provides the context needed to develop targeted, durable and more effective repair strategies. When restoration efforts address underlying causes instead of surface-level damage, the likelihood and severity of recurring repairs and repeated mobilization is significantly reduced.

Although this diagnostic work requires upfront effort, it often eliminates years of inefficient, reactive spending.

Selecting Materials with Lifecycle Performance in Mind

Material selection plays a critical role in long-term maintenance costs. Choosing lower-cost materials and/or eliminating protective measures without considering durability, compatibility, and environmental exposure often leads to premature failures and increased maintenance demands.

Smarter early decisions prioritize materials that are appropriate for the structure’s specific conditions. For example, selecting corrosion mitigation measures and robust, high-performance coatings can substantially reduce future repair frequency. While these materials may carry a higher initial cost, they often deliver substantial savings through extended service life and reduced future maintenance costs.

Lifecycle cost analysis during the design phase helps owners understand the true cost of ownership rather than focusing solely on initial maintenance cost.

Designing for Maintainability

Parking structures must be maintained throughout their service life, yet many are constructed and restored or repaired without considering how future inspections and maintenance will occur. Improving maintainability can reduce long-term maintenance costs and operational disruptions. This includes detailing drainage systems that are easy to clean, incorporating accessible expansion joints, and designing repairs that allow future maintenance to be completed efficiently without extensive demolition.

When maintainability is considered early, routine upkeep becomes simpler, safer, and more cost-effective.

Phasing and Sequencing to Minimize Operational Disruption

Operational impacts are a major component of long-term cost for parking structure owners. Poorly planned restoration work can unnecessarily disrupt revenue, inconvenience users, and create safety concerns. Early planning allows teams to develop phasing strategies that align with operational needs and anticipated maintenance cycles.

By sequencing work and coordinating restoration efforts with known deterioration patterns, owners can reduce repeated closures and consolidate future repairs.

Early alignment between restoration strategy and operational priorities supports both cost control and user experience.

Proactive Protection Versus Reactive Repair

One of the most effective ways to reduce long-term maintenance costs is shifting from a reactive maintenance approach to a proactive protection strategy. Early decisions that incorporate regular and repeated maintenance work and the use of protective systems such as sealers, membranes, and joint upgrades can significantly slow deterioration.

Rather than waiting for damage to become visible and disruptive, proactive protection extends the life of repaired elements and reduces the frequency of major interventions. Over time, this approach lowers labor costs, material expenditures, and the risk of unexpected failures.

Early investment in protection often results in smoother budgeting and fewer operational surprises.

Aligning Restoration Decisions with Long-Term Ownership Goals

Every parking structure has a different ownership horizon, usage pattern, and risk tolerance. Smarter early decisions account for these factors rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution or simply waiting to react to deterioration conditions. A structure intended for long-term ownership may justify more robust systems, while short-term holding strategies may prioritize targeted repairs and monitoring.

Early collaboration between owners, engineers, and maintenance teams aligns restoration strategies with financial, operational, and performance goals. This reduces the likelihood of costly course corrections later.

In parking structure restoration and maintenance, early decisions have a lasting impact. Comprehensive assessments, thoughtful material selection, maintainable design, proactive protection, and strategic phasing all contribute to reduced long-term maintenance costs and better patron experience. While these choices may require additional planning and upfront consideration and investment, they consistently deliver long-term value over the life of the structure.

By focusing on smarter early decisions, parking structure owners can move beyond reactive maintenance and create durable, cost-efficient assets that perform reliably for years to come.

Think Elevators Aren’t Safe? Think Again.

Walker Consultants — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:08:48 +0000

Elevators are one of the safest forms of transportation.

In the United States, people take about 18 billion trips on elevators each year, yet there are only around one injury per every million rides with the majority of those occurring during maintenance and inspections, not to passengers. Behind every smooth elevator ride is a world of clever engineering, maintenance, and inspections that keep everything running safely. Let’s explore how elevators are designed with redundant safety systems, and what our vertical transportation consultants do to make sure those systems stay in top shape.

1. Multiple Ropes and Double Bottom Cylinders = Built-In Redundancy

Most passenger elevators fall into two main categories: Traction and Hydraulic. Hydraulic elevators utilize cylinders with double bottom encasements to contain the hydraulic fluid in the event of a failure to the cylinder. Modern passenger traction elevators are suspended by no less than three steel wire ropes, though most use anywhere from four to eight ropes. Depending on the size of the ropes, a single rope may be strong enough to hold the entire elevator car with a full passenger load. In short, both hydraulic and traction elevators rely on redundant safety features to ensure passenger safety.

2. Safeties To Stop the Elevator If It Over Speeds or Moves When It Shouldn’t

Traction elevators have additional built-in safety features to prevent them from free falling down the hoistway in the event of a catastrophic failure. They have a governor that uses centrifugal force to sense an overspeed condition to engage the safeties and stop the elevator gently and securely. Newer elevators also utilize an emergency braking system that stops the elevator if it senses the unintended movement of the elevator.

3. Shock Absorbers in The Pit

Even if all else failed (which is incredibly unlikely), elevators are equipped with buffers in the pit. Depending on the rated speed of the elevator the buffers will use some combination of springs and oil dampers to soften the impact in an emergency. These are similar in function to the shock absorbers in your car but engineered for the weights and impacts that may be experienced with elevators.

4. Maintenance: The Unsung Hero of Elevator Safety

All these safety systems rely on expert maintenance and inspections. That’s where Vertical Transportation Consultants come in. They work with building owners and elevator service providers to:

Evaluate wear and tear on critical components
Evaluate maintenance levels of the equipment
Confirm safety tests are being performed and documented correctly
Recommend upgrades or replacements when needed
Verify compliance with code and performance standards

Routine checks, precise calibration, and detailed reporting keep your elevator not just functional but safe.

Elevator Safety Is No Accident

So, next time you ride an elevator, remember it’s more than just cables and buttons. It’s a highly engineered system with multiple layers of protection and an expert team behind the scenes keeping it all in motion.

If you’re responsible for elevator systems in your building, our consultants are here to help ensure everything runs smoothly, safely, and efficiently.

Maximize Your Airport’s Revenue with Parking Structure Condition Assessments

Tasha Samkough — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 15:04:17 +0000

Optimize performance and profitability with our expert evaluations.

Parking structures often represent the first or second highest source of income for airports, making their upkeep vital to financial strategies. For many travelers, these structures are their first interaction point with an airport when starting their journey. This makes maintaining the structural health of airport parking crucial to operational efficiency and a good customer experience, thus maximizing revenue.

Condition assessments offer detailed insights into a parking structure’s current state, pinpointing issues like structural integrity, waterproofing failures, and general wear and tear that can significantly impact operational efficiency and safety. Early detection and maintenance extends the lifespan of these assets and significantly mitigates escalating repair costs, thereby safeguarding revenue streams and minimizing operational disruptions.

What does a condition assessment entail?

The evaluation can include:

Visual assessment of structural components
Assessing surface conditions and evaluating repair options (if any)
Evaluating the effectiveness of waterproofing, sealers, and other protective finishes
Providing cost-effective repair recommendations based on the urgency of repairs
Development of future maintenance plans, ensuring minimal disruption to normal operations

Discover expert insights

An engineer’s evaluation is essential to accurately assess structural health and safety. Professional oversight helps identify potential risks that could lead to costly repairs or, crucially, safety hazards. Professionals can assess structural components, mechanical/electrical/plumbing systems, and waterproofing measures, providing a foundation of information to support the safety of users and the long-term durability of the structure. An engineer will also recommend preventative maintenance measures and prioritize repair actions to optimize your budget and project timelines.

Click below to watch a comprehensive webinar featuring Senior Vice President Al Bustamante, PE. In this session, he delves into common types of parking structure deterioration and demonstrates how proactive maintenance strategies can significantly reduce costs over time.

How can we help?

Walker’s restoration staff specialize in parking structure condition assessments. Whether it’s inspecting older facilities, routine maintenance checks, or newly built assets, our goal is to identify the root cause of the issue and mitigate its recurrence. We bring the expertise necessary to evaluate structural integrity, improve operational efficiency, and develop a comprehensive asset management plan.

Our proactive approach to maintenance and restoration can extend the lifespan of your parking assets and help them to continue generating significant revenue without interruption. A well-maintained parking structure is more than just a part of airport infrastructure; it’s a crucial element of your financial success.

Enhance the longevity and profitability of your airport parking structures. Contact Jeffrey Smallidge today to discuss how we can optimize your parking asset management for sustained success.

Jeffrey M. Smallidge, PE, LEED AP BD+C
Director of Aviation Services & Director of Business Development
317.348.2122
jsmallidge@walkerconsultants.com