A traffic aisle is the open space left between two rows of racking, or between racking and a wall, to allow handling trucks and, depending on the zone, pedestrians to pass through. Its width directly determines which type of truck can be used in the warehouse and, as a result, the storage density that can be achieved.
Widths depend on the truck, not a single standard
There is no single mandatory legal width for warehouse aisles in France: the reference guide is the INRS ED 6002 document, which sets out principles rather than binding figures. The usual rule is as follows: for one-way traffic, the width must be at least equal to that of the truck or its load, plus about 1 meter; for two-way traffic, allow twice that width, plus about 1.40 meters. For pedestrians, a width of 0.80 meters is enough for a single person, versus 1.50 meters where two people may need to pass each other.
In practice, the aisle width needed mainly depends on the type of truck: a standard counterbalance truck generally needs 3 to 4 meters to maneuver, a reach truck can get by with 2.5 to 3 meters, and a very narrow aisle (VNA) truck, which does not need to turn to engage its forks, can go under 2 meters. Choosing a narrower truck therefore allows aisles to be tightened and storage density increased, at the cost of a generally higher equipment investment.
Traffic within a warehouse is also governed by floor marking, regulated by the French order of 4 November 1993: white marks out traffic lanes, yellow signals a hazard, red a prohibition, green an evacuation route, and blue an obligation. This marking complements, but does not replace, a site-specific risk assessment used to define the traffic plan and the separation between pedestrian and vehicle flows.
FAQ
What aisle width should be planned for a forklift or a pallet truck?
It depends on the truck: a standard counterbalance truck needs about 3 to 4 meters, a reach truck 2.5 to 3 meters, a very narrow aisle (VNA) truck less than 2 meters. The general rule is the loaded truck's width, plus about 1 meter for one-way traffic.
Should pedestrian and truck aisles be separated in a warehouse?
This is strongly recommended and often expected in a company's risk assessment, even without a single mandatory numeric requirement. Distinct floor marking and, where possible, physically separate walkways significantly reduce the risk of collision between vehicles and pedestrians.
Related terms
Pallet racking · Anatomy of a pallet rack · Drive-in racking · Reach truck · Forklift truck · Warehouse / logistics platform · CACES.
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