The Best Parking Lot Striping Practices For Safety
When designing and maintaining a parking lot, safety should be a top priority. Roughly 20 percent of all vehicle collisions in the United States occur in parking lots, and many of them are a direct result of low-quality striping. So, how do you ensure your local parking lot striping is doing everything possible to keep drivers and pedestrians out of harm's way? Here are several parking lot striping practices you should consider.
Does Lot Striping Require Planning?
The best parking lot striping outcomes start with careful planning. Don't assume that you or your striping company can simply "wing it." Not only does that increase the risk of producing less-than-professional-looking results, but you'll also likely miss key safety elements that matter.
Take some time to assess the shape and design of your parking lot. Then work with skilled parking lot striping companies to optimize space while prioritizing safety. Consider all federal, state, and local parking lot striping requirements, and design around potential safety challenges. Your parking lot line painter should also take measurements to ensure precise spacing, consistent finishes, and optimal use of the entire space.
What Efficiency-Based Parking Lot Striping Practices Boost Safety?
While the most reputable striping companies are always thinking about safety, they should also consider overall traffic flow and efficiency. A parking lot that operates like a well-oiled machine is naturally much safer. With fewer bottlenecks and congestion points, there's a lower risk of fender-benders.
Consider adding features to improve how drivers enter and exit your parking lot. For example, striping companies can create wide two-way lanes or establish one-way travel aisles by changing the orientation of each stall. By simply angling spots at 45 or 60 degrees, you make it easier for drivers to enter and exit stalls. That alone can boost safety without compromising style or wasting space.
What Types of Markings Should I Add to My Local Parking Lot Striping Design?
The best parking lot striping design goes beyond lines. Lines help to define individual stalls and create travel aisles. However, your local parking lot striping layout should also include features like:
- Directional arrows
- Pedestrian crossing zones
- Stop bars
- Yield lines
- Speed limit markings
Parking lot striping companies can apply these additional elements throughout your lot to increase efficiency, boost safety, and make drivers and pedestrians more aware of their surroundings. While these extras can increase parking lot striping costs, the more you enforce safe driving and provide information through pavement markings, the safer your lot will be for everyone.
What Code Requirements Should My Parking Lot Line Painter Follow to Ensure Safety and Accessibility?
Striping companies should adhere to all federal, state, and local code requirements. At the federal level, every parking lot must include a specific number of ADA-compliant stalls and access aisles. Each stall also requires relevant pavement markings and signage for easy identification.
Local codes may also require features like pedestrian crossing zones and fire lanes. Fire line lot striping designates no-parking zones in front of your building, ensuring emergency responders easy access to your property. The best parking lot striping professionals will be well-versed in applicable regulatory requirements, using their knowledge of codes to ensure your parking lot is safe and code-compliant.
Do the Materials That a Parking Lot Line Painter Uses Make a Difference?
Parking lot striping companies can use many types of paints to apply lines and markings. The best will use high-quality paints that are vibrant and long-lasting. However, you'll likely have some options to help you get results that meet your needs, budget, and logistical constraints. Discuss those options with your parking lot line painter.
While premium paint formulas like thermoplastic or MMA can increase parking lot striping costs, they're often well worth the investment. These alternatives to standard paints last years longer. Best of all, they're highly resistant to damage and fading. Thus, your striping remains visible over the long haul.
Are There Any Parking Lot Striping Practices Concerning Maintenance?
Maintenance is key. Covering parking lot striping costs just one time for your initial application doesn't cut it. Paint fades, and reduced visibility is reduced safety.
Have striping companies visit your property at least once annually for a thorough inspection. Experts will review your local parking lot striping to spot any potential safety issues and assess its visibility. If they identify problems that need addressing, they'll let you know. More importantly, they can help you develop a restriping routine that keeps markings visible.
Most parking lot striping needs reapplication every 18 to 24 months, but many factors will affect your specific needs. Having a contractor view your striping and develop tailored solutions can make all the difference.
NWS House Washing & Asphalt Seal Coating is the best parking lot striping contractor in the area. We work closely with our clients to prioritize safety while delivering amazing results that elevate your property to its full potential. In addition to striping, we offer services like asphalt sealcoating, power washing, driveway crack repairs, asphalt crack filling, and more.
Let's talk about your striping. Call NWS House Washing & Asphalt Seal Coating today at
(570) 810-5316 to get a complimentary project quote. Alternatively, you can email the team at nws@usa.com or submit your information for a callback using our
online form.
