Parking Signs Rules – Is Your Parking Lot Compliant?

Using standard highway signs in your parking lot not only makes sign recognition easier and commands authority, it is now the law. Effective January 16, 2007, the Federal Highway Administration requires roads on private property that are “Open to Public Travel” to use the same sign design, sizes, and reflectivity as the highway signs. Show off your attitude and personal style with cute and classy vehicle stickers.

This includes roads within shopping centers, parking lot areas, airports, sports arenas, toll roads and other similar facilities. Any road that is privately owned but where the public is allowed to travel without access restrictions including bike paths and recreational facilities must use the highway sign standards.

Parking lot owners and managers may reduce their exposure to costly lawsuits by updating their signs to the highway sign standards or phase them in as the old signs are replaced. There is a manual of standard sign designs named the MUTCD, (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices). Most sign companies are familiar with the MUTCD or you can find them online.

Beyond the MUTCD, there is little guidance for the number and placement of parking lot signs except logic and common sense. The need for parking lot signs is largely related to the number of parking spaces and the facilities use. A large shopping center with many pedestrians and high vehicle turnover will require more signs than a small business park.

MUTCD signs are available in different sizes and reflectivity. The size of the sign required is related to its viewing distance. A larger sign can be seen from further away. As a rule of thumb, the sign’s letter height should be one inch for every 50 feet that it is required to be seen from. For example, if the sign needs to be read from 150 feet away, you should have at least a 3-inch letter. Larger is better.

The reflectivity of a sign is how bright it is when headlights shine on it. As light bulbs come in different brightness, 60, 75 and 100 watt bulbs, signs are available in engineer grade, high intensity and diamond grade reflectivity. Diamond grade reflective is the brightest. Traffic signs should be at least high intensity reflective.

Since parking lots are the one place where pedestrians and motorist freely roam, right of way signs are very important for safety. It is safest to place a sign anywhere a potential conflict may occur.

Right of way signs are Stop (R1-1), Yield (R1-2), Keep Right (R4-7), Do Not Enter (R5-1), and Pedestrian Crossing (W11-A2). These types of signs are typically used on the access driveway from the highway, along the building frontage, parking islands and for any ring roads. Any signs that are on the state highway’s right of way must be the same size required for that highway. Stop signs on the state right of way are typically 30 inches. Because speed traveled in a parking lot is slower, stop signs can be smaller, typically 24 inches.

Pedestrian crossing signs are found at crosswalks and paths connecting to the building frontage. Bicyclist signs should be treated similar to pedestrian signs.

Speed limit signs should only be used on a ring road and are typically ignored and difficult to enforce against motorist infractions. Speed limits should be on 5 mile increments per MUTCD. In smaller parking lots it is unlikely that speed limit signs would be needed because vehicles don’t have enough space to travel at high speeds.

As for enforcing motorist violations, unless parking lot signs are installed as a result of engineering studies and certain criteria are met, enforcement of violations by motorist is impractical. There is also the Model Traffic Ordinance which provides provisions pertaining to police enforcements of traffic regulations on private property, which in a nutshell, is impractical.

Parking signs make it easier for visitors to know where the right spot to park is. This makes it convenient for them to get from their vehicle to a walkway or the facility. Some facilities will reserve parking spaces for special use, for example, Expectant Mothers, Employee of the Month, Clergy or Doctors. Parking signs are typically 12″ x 18″ and should be placed no more than 150 feet apart when placed in series. If attached to a barrier or post the parking signs should be engineer grade reflective.

No Parking signs inform motorist where they cannot park. Fire safety dictates that Fire Lane signs are posted along the frontage of a building and near fire hydrants. Other no parking signs are found near loading zones and intersections to provide an unobstructed line of sight for motorist. No truck signs are sometimes used because trucks are large and can obstruct the free movement of vehicles.

Handicap Parking signs are used to designate areas reserved for the disabled typically found nearest the building. The handicap parking sign uses the blue wheelchair symbol on the sign. Each state has different requirements for the size and wording of the sign. Some laws require the space to be van accessible and specify fines for violations. It is best to check with the local zoning office for the requirements as they vary widely.

Property Management signs are used to designate areas or notify of rules and policies of the parking lot. Aisle marker signs placed on light poles help visitors remember where they parked. Not responsible for loss or damage of property signs may reduce tort liability of the parking lot owner. No Loitering, No Trespassing, No Soliciting, and No Skateboarding signs are used to express management’s policies.

For more information on parking signs and parking lot compliance, visit http://www.alphabetsigns.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alice_Mills/106388

Car Paint Protection Myths

Car paint protection Adelaide is essential in recovering your vehicle paint to its previous splendor. It also protects it so you automobile has excellent appearance for several years ahead. Many auto care products already existing in the marketplace today and all of them claim to provide security to your vehicle paint. The fact is that not all of these items are the very same, the same method not all automobiles are similar. While every car could generally acquire you from factor X to Y, there is still a massive distinction in between vehicle designs. The exact same puts on auto wax, paint protection and polishes. All of these products provide particular amount of luster, yet that is as comparable as they could obtain.

In this blog post, we inform you, whether you are a brand-new car proprietor or a not-so-new one, on the vital truths about paint protection items that are readily available available. By doing this, our company believe you could make the best choice when selecting the best defense for your beloved car.

Are all car paint protection items the same?

Naturally they are not. There are a number of kinds of paint protection products and they have varying quality and price. Nonetheless, when getting car paint protection Melbourne folks ought to not make the blunder of basing their decision entirely on the rate of that protection item. As an alternative, your choice on the sort of defense you select ought to be informed by exactly what it is that you intend to accomplish. A product that provides defense against UV rays, bird falling roadway salt, acid rainfall and bug remains all rolled into one is definitely more costly than a product that simply offers short-lived luster.

An additional point is that different items supply differing levels of luster. If you wish to buy an item that offers you a much longer shine but requires less upkeep, be readied to pay a couple of extra bucks for it. Majority of protectants that are available on the market currently offer only minimal amount of defense against the elements stated above. Many of them do not provide long lasting sparkle and need reapplication. Therefore, it is crucial that you beware of just what you decide on for your auto.

Can car paint protection aid keep your automobile s worth and also resale value?

The paint job and look of a car will certainly aid in maintaining not just its worth yet likewise resale value. A vehicle that is well preserved with a mirror surface paint, has actually an enhanced resale value. It additionally conserves you cash and time now. With a good paint protection, a lot of time is saved on washing it because crud and dust are effortlessly gotten rid of. Also, it gained t need polishing to maintain its look.

Just what are a few of things you can expect from a good car paint protection?

Among the major benefits of car paint protection is that it adds authentic value to the car. An appropriate paint protection application could offer your automobile extraordinary glass luster in addition to keep its worth. For these reasons, folks are commonly prepared to component with $1000 merely to obtain great paint protection. When done appropriately, there will certainly be less waxing and the cleaning will certainly be a lot easier in case your vehicle acquire unclean and should be cleaned. This translates to much more cost savings in future.

Can your automobile s paintwork be ruined by just bird going down?

The response is yes. Opportunities that your vehicle is getting ruined daily without you most likely observing are really genuine. Most people just believe that the greatest threat to their auto s paintwork is UV rays. While this holds true, the damage comes after a number of years. Bird droppings are nonetheless a lot more immediate threat. They induce harm in just an issue of days.

Bird droppings, as you being aware, are the product of a bird s intestinal system. Without going way too much into the field of biology, droppings can have higher degrees of acids which can ruin the paintwork.

Most people are stunned by the quantity of damages that could result from a bird dropping. While it could go unnoticed to an untrained eye, a specialist that knows exactly what he wishes in auto will quickly view it.

Is car polishing the best option?

Auto waxing is known to supply instantaneous sparkle, it is not the ideal solution. The reason it is called wax is since it is made from wax. And as you recognize, wax will thaw when exposed to heat. When waxed paint is utilized on your vehicle, it ends up being soft when subjected to heat. This releases shine and makes your vehicle more susceptible to entrapping impurities. It is terrific for show automobiles considering that these do not sit in the sunlight for an entire day each day.

By its extremely attributes, wax seldom sticks to the vehicle area. In fact, wax can not stick well to any surface. Just try sticking wax to any sort of area and you will see this. Similarly, wax eventually washes off of your automobile, which will leave your automobile with less or no security whatsoever.

What are the other points that you have to know about car paint protection?

The should effectively take care of your vehicle, that is, specifying and washing, can not be overemphasized. Selecting credible car clean electrical outlets and detailers is not just important however likewise shields your car from damages. In short, manage the paintwork of your auto similarly you would take care of your skin. Anything that won t damages your skin succeeded t damage your car s paintwork.

An additional vital point is a high quality vehicle hair shampoo. This minimises area scratching that results from rubbing when the auto is being washed. You also need a soft stack clean mitt or sponge and it must be of first class. If you desire a streak-free drying, you have no choice but to demand a terry towel or a leather-made chamois to dry your automobile.

Verdict

Just like anything else, you only get exactly what you have actually spent for with car paint protection. It is vital to select the ideal place to wash or information your car. This should be led by the period of time it requires to wash your vehicle securely and appropriately.

Vehicle Repair Tips For The Average Car Owner

Learning what you can about auto repair may seem like a lot of work, but it’s generally not too difficult if you put some time into it. Learning basic auto repair is a valuable skill to have. This information in this article will allow you to fix your car yourself rather than using a mechanic constantly. The new style of car buffing machine is a very popular thing, even children are capable of using these with no struggle at all.

Before making your payment to the mechanic when picking up your car, take it out for a spin first to check that everything is working. If you don’t do this, you may not have the appropriate problem repaired.

Be wary of unscrupulous mechanics who make unnecessary repairs to your vehicle. All reputable mechanics will notify you before doing any repairs and will inform you of any parts that could require repairs in the immediate future. Don’t trust a mechanic who has done repairs without asking.

Make sure your mechanic knows how to work on your make of vehicle. Cars vary greatly by make and model so it is important that your mechanic is familiar with your make and model of car. The safe route is to pay a little more to have a dealer’s specialized techs work on the car.

You shouldn’t forget about your wiper blades. If you notice your wiper blades leaving streaks on your windshield, or they chatter, then it is time to obtain new blades. In general, new wipers should be put on your car about every twelve months.

Speak with friends about auto shop recommendations before you pick a shop. Your family and friends may have a few recommendations for you that will make your search much easier. That said, check up on who they refer as well. At the very least, look to online reviews to check out how others feel about the shop in question.

Memorize each light and symbol on your dash instrument panel. When one lights up, it helps to understand what you’re dealing with. These warning lights are meant to help alert you to potential problems. If you keep ignoring them it’ll make the problem worse.

Prior to having a car repaired, take pictures of all parts of it. Some disreputable garages will strip your car in order to up their bottom line. You should make sure you keep track of the way your vehicle is looking just in case something like this were to happen.

Do not allow an auto repair technician to convince you that getting your engine flushed is a normal maintenance process. This service is costly, and it is not really needed unless you haven’t been taking good care of your engine.

You should not purchase a part from someone who claims the part will last you a lifetime. Often, this is how businesses try to reel you in. One example is that some vehicles say their transmission fluid will last a lifetime. You will need to change your fluid as it is not an unlimited resource.

OEM is a shorter way to say Original Equipment Manufacturer. This can be helpful if parts are being replaced on your car. When you tell your mechanic that OEM parts are what you want, you sound like you have some knowledge. This could very well prevent someone from outfitting your car with old parts.

There’s no reason why simple maintenance, such as topping off engine oil or adding windshield wiper fluid, can’t be done on your own. It’s only a myth that it takes a professional to get a maintenance job done. Know what you are doing first, but then do not hesitate to get your hands greasy.

When your mechanic identifies the problem, ask him to give you a few hours to think about the repairs before you have him fix it. Call other shops to see how much repairs would be before getting work from the first mechanic. If someone else is cheaper, pay the shop for labor thus far and go elsewhere.

Save the receipts from all your car repairs in a single file. You can sort them chronologically or by service repair type. However you sort them, you’ll have your car’s history on hand should you need it when out on the road. This will also come in handy if you decide to sell your vehicle and want to let the buyer know about how much you invested in the vehicle.

If you wish to figure out what kinds of problems are happening to your vehicle, it helps to know a little bit about how a vehicle is made. If you are uneducated on car, you may want to enroll in a class about auto repair. The money you spend on a class will be well worth it. This will enable you to better service your car which will help it last longer.

If your car is making sounds, take it into the shop. Some noises can be caused by mechanical issues or parts that need to be maintained. If you are able to tell the mechanic about the sounds, you may save lots of money through rapid diagnosis of the issue.

If a mechanic has always done good work for you, you should get back with them the next time your vehicle is having trouble. Get to know your mechanic and keep bringing your vehicle back if you are satisfied with the service you get. You could even be on the receiving end of discounts for your continued business.

Ask any of your friends or family if they know a good auto-repair service in the local area. That helps you to find someone who truly does what they promise. It is a better idea than having work performed by someone you don’t know.

To keep the car’s interior looking nice, especially in the colder months, use good rubber mats on the floors. The mats keep salt, slush and mud off of the carpeting. They are great to use when it’s winter time or even if it’s raining quite a bit.

If you know the basics, there is no need to fear having car performance issues. Learn how to fix a few things yourself so you do not have to go see a mechanic every time you encounter a minor problem. These tips will help you if you need to fix your car.