The Human Bean project created an efficient drive-thru coffee shop in Marianna, FL. The shop sat on a small 0.16-acre lot along US Highway 90. This required careful planning to manage traffic flow and make the best use of the limited space. Without good design, congestion could have caused traffic delays and safety issues for customers and passing vehicles.
One challenge was the space constraint. We designed the parking lots and drive-thru lanes to maximize space while keeping traffic moving smoothly. We designed a single lane drive-thru with one lane where vehicles move from the order station straight to the pickup window in a smooth line. We used a Y-shaped drive-thru layout, with two ordering lanes merging into one pickup lane. This design reduced wait times and improved overall efficiency. We included clear signage and well-marked lanes to improve safety and order further and carefully placed entry and exit points to reduce traffic problems on the busy highway.
In addition to solving traffic issues, the coffee shop brings positive social and economic benefits to Marianna. The project creates new jobs and supports the local economy. It also increases local revenue by attracting both residents and travelers. The coffee shop provides a convenient stop for coffee and snacks and improves the area’s business environment by attracting more customers to nearby businesses.
By addressing land challenges and creating an efficient drive-thru system, we ensured a smooth, safe and easy customer experience, while benefiting the local community.
Justin Lopez, Gianna Russell, Sabrina Williams
O. Sean Martin, Ph.D., P.E.
DHM Melvin Engineering, Mary-Margaret Farris, E.I.
Spring