Parking lot signs are vital aspects of either privately owned areas or public parking spots and are important for improving safety, efficiently directing drivers and pedestrians, designating areas, enforcing regulations and required zoning laws, providing accessibility for disabled individuals, and encouraging better traffic flow.
Parking lot signs can be divided into two primary functions: safety and organization. Safety signs can be anything from a stop or yield sign to pedestrian crossing signs. Their main role is to help prevent accidents and ensure there’s a smooth course for traffic. On the other hand, organizational signs help people easily locate areas and more efficiently use parking spaces. These organizational signs point out reserved parking signs or entrance and exit signs.
What are Common Types of Parking Lot Signs?
There are many types of parking lot signage, some of which are required by state or federal laws, and others which are optional and up to the customer. There are generally three large categories that most parking lot signs fall under: regulatory, warning, and information signs.
Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs institute regulations and rules that all drivers are required to follow. They are critical for traffic flow, help prevent unsafe driving and remind drivers to check for pedestrians around them. The following is a list of the most common regulatory signs:
Stop signs inform drivers that they must come to a complete stop. Drivers are less likely to speed in a parking lot if they see that there is a stop sign coming up.- Handicapped parking signs reserve and designate available parking spaces for disabled individuals. These signs and parking spaces are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and you can be fined if your parking lot does not have parking spots with compliant spaces and signage. The Federal Highway Administration designed a specific sign, however, check your local regulations for any further specifications.
- Prohibited parking signs let drivers know what areas are strictly prohibited to park in. This includes handicap and fire lane signs. Fire lane signs are another type of required signage that allows access to emergency zones but must be always kept clear. Prohibited parking signs can usually be found near loading zones, entrances, or other areas where parked vehicles could be in the way.
- Yield signs direct drivers when to give the right-of-way to pedestrians or other drivers.
Warning Signs
The second most common category of parking signage are called warning signs. They are used to alert drivers to possible risks, obstacles, or conditions that require caution. Some common warning signs are:
- Pedestrian crossing signs ensure safety by notifying drivers and pedestrians to areas where they are allowed to cross.
- Speed limit signs inform drivers of the maximum speed allowed in an area which helps prevent accidents. Installing speed bumps helps make speed limit signs more effective.
- Watch for children signs warn drivers of specific areas that children frequent and urge them to drive slowly and cautiously in those spots.
Informational Signs
The last big category for parking lot signs is called informational signs. As per the name, they are signs that give information to individuals regarding the parking lot. The following is a list of the most common informational signs:
- Directional parking signs demonstrate any entry and exit points in the parking lot and help guide drivers toward different sections like visitor or employee parking. These are also used if there is parking available behind a building or in other nearby parking lots.
- Reserved parking signs designate reserved spots for specific people or purposes. This includes things like employee parking, spots close to entrances for expectant mothers, and even customer parking spots to keep parking spaces from being used by other businesses.
- Payment instruction signs inform people of various payment methods and instructions on how to pay. These are used in parking lots that require you to pay to park in that area.
- Park at your own risk signs let individuals using that parking lot know that the facility is not monitored or liable for any damage that happens to vehicles present, or any theft.
What Should You Consider about Your Parking Signage?
To be sure that your parking signage is the most effective it can be, many things have to be considered. The following is a short list of the key factors to keep in mind when designing, ordering, and installing your signs from a reputable printing company.
- Be sure to pick the correct signs based on what you need, what your parking lot requires to keep its occupants safe, and what your local regulations call for.
- Make sure your signs are visible and placed in a spot where they can easily be seen by both drivers and pedestrians. Positioning your signs properly helps avoid confusion, and making sure they are easy to read from a reasonable distance helps ensure safety.
- Verify that your signs are compliant and meet all local and federal regulations. These laws typically manage the size, reflectivity, and location of signs.
- Confirm that your design is clear and concise so it can properly communicate the messaging. The color of the background and of the text should have a high contrast to enhance visibility, and the font and size should be clear and legible so it’s easy to read. These are especially important for areas that do not have a lot of light.
- Maintain and upkeep your signs by regularly checking for wear and tear. They need to remain clear and readable to stay compliant. If signs are getting old and can no longer be read, make sure to replace them, or if they are being blocked by objects or foliage, relocate or remove the obstructions.
- Choose a material that is durable and resistant to weather. Common materials for outdoor signs are aluminum, steel, or plastic.
- Check if the sign needs to be reflective or non-reflective. Reflective signs are ideal for parking lots that do not have good visibility at nighttime, and non-reflective signs are best for places that have consistent, good lighting. There are three levels of reflectivity: engineer grade, high-intensity, and diamond grade.
A Reputable Printing Company Can Provide Parking Lot Signs for Any Business
The National Safety Council released that thousands of car crashes occur every year in parking lots or garages. Some parking lot crashes have resulted deaths and injuries. This along with the fact that the NHTSA reported that 66% of drivers are not paying attention in parking lots clearly shows the need for adequate parking lot signs. Using the proper signage and displaying them clearly is vital for reducing these types of events and creating a safer area for both drivers and pedestrians. Work with a reputable printing company for assistance with parking lot signage.
