Archive for January, 2008

Curb Painting – A nice business idea.

Thursday, January 31st, 2008

For those who want to earn some quick money without spending much and without any special skills, then curb painting is a nice option. Curb painting refers to coloring the edges of the roads and parking lots as per the specification of the customer.

You can either work for the local municipality, because curb painting is a routine affair carried out round the year or you can start a business of your own and secure contracts from the local municipal office to paint the curbs every year.

In case you want to start the curb painting business, you can do so with very less money and the profits are high in this business because the market for this is huge. Moreover there are no special skills required for this business. The one thing mandatory is that you need to hold a permit for curb painting. In addition, you are sometimes required to have property liability insurance to cover the damage that you might inflict upon other people’s properties.

It’s your business you are the boss and your work is also very flexible, but then the more you paint the more you make money.

Essentials of Parking lot striping

Thursday, January 31st, 2008

We all know that parking lots do need maintenance from time to time. One well known maintenance technique is parking lot striping, which adds a nicer look to the existing parking lot.

Parking lot striping needs to be done every one or two years. Before the striping is started, it is important to check if the parking lot needs any changes to it.

By using high quality paints during striping we can ensure that it lasts long. The lines have to be as bright as possible as these will direct drivers to the places they are supposed to go all the times. Also, the proper signs must be displayed on the parking lots as well i.e. loading zone, handicapped signs etc. while parking lot striping is done.

The final stage of the parking lot striping is to put up barricades so that the vehicles don’t enter and exit from there. It is advisable not to drive on the parking lot till it has fully dried and this would take approximately 30 minutes to do so.

A parking lot is the first thing that the customer sees and parking lot striping can lead to a positive impression of the overall business.

Do’s and Don’ts of Traffic Sign Installation

Thursday, January 31st, 2008

Traffic sign installation is one of a number of ways that both motorists and pedestrians alike can be assured of their continued road safety. Though it is normally a straightforward process, one needs to observe certain general rules and guidelines set by the relevant states when setting about on traffic sign installations.

One of the things to note is that the traffic sign must be installed away from oncoming vehicular traffic. It must out of the way of pedestrian paths too.

In spite of the fact that the Traffic signs are vital for the safety of the motorists, it cannot be installed at any place. The need and request for traffic sign installation has to be verified. Once the department receives a request for traffic sign installation, a study is conducted regarding the need. After this the authorities would also consider options other than traffic sign installation and only if they are convinced that no other means except traffic sign installation will work, will the work of installation begin.

Traffic signals can range from stop signs to dangerous corner signs to even speed limit signs and the need of the area would determine what signs would be installed.

Some facts about Traffic sign installation.

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008

Traffic signs are primarily used to guide the motorist safely towards his or her destination. They are a part of any city and town with large any type vehicular population. One would however need to observe certain general rules and guidelines set by the relevant states when setting about on traffic sign installations.

The traffic sign must be installed at a distance away from vehicular traffic and out of way of pedestrian paths. In some states it is specified that the sign posts must be able to withstand all weather conditions. Apart from this the paints that are used in the traffic signs are also important. In some states the distance of traffic sign from the curb is also specified. Though traffic signs are available in the form of painting or stickers, most countries prefer painting since it is long lasting. Also, the traffic signs are required to be in signage as well as text format.

The traffic sign installation is done by agencies only after the need for the traffic sign is evaluated and these agencies are liable to maintain these traffic signs till the expiry of the contract. Even local residents are consulted by the police for installing traffic sign.

Guidelines for parking lot painting

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008

Parking lots are now an integral part of any city with large vehicular population. When parking lots are created, a set of rules is evolved to govern the functioning of the parking lots.

According to the rules, there are certain guidelines laid down for parking lot painting.
Normally three colors are used in parking lot painting to differentiate the parking space. The first color is used to mark the entry point of the parking lot. The second paint defines the area meant to park the cars. The third paint indicates the exit point of the vehicles. Usually, a fourth color is used to indicate messages to the vehicle drivers in the parking lot. Normally bright colors are used for these three blocks.

While the colors used in the parking lot painting, even the paints used are a crucial factor. Most of the times it is preferred to use state approved paints as these tend to last longer. One would require verifying if the paint used is up to the standards required by the local city.
So while people take for granted the parking lots they use every day, the truth is that painting a parking lot is often times not as simple as it looks.

How can Wheel stops be effective?

Tuesday, January 29th, 2008

The most common functions of the Wheel stops are to stop traffic either in a cordoned off road, or separate incoming traffic from the outgoing ones, they are used in parking lots and they are also used by the mechanics when the vehicle is being repaired. Wheel stops are also used as a precautionary mark to prevent vehicles from parking too close to side walks, pavements or buildings and to reduce the speed of the vehicles at the entry to the parking lots.

The wheel stops need to be designed in a way that can make their job effective. A good wheel stop must be high enough that it can effectively block the wheel from going over it, including four wheel drives, but it should at the same time be of a height that would not damage a vehicle’s bumper. Wheel stops should also be such that they are not easily moved by persons insistent on passing through forbidden entry ways.

The wheel stops could be installed on a permanent basis or on a temporary basis. However, it is advisable to have wheel stops on a temporary basis since they have to be used at multiple locations.

What is Curb Painting?

Tuesday, January 29th, 2008

Curb painting refers to painting the curb on the road. There are a few reasons to paint curbs, and one of them is to indicate the presence of the road’s edge. Some people also like to paint addresses on the curbs.

There are different messages for different colors of painting on the curb. When a curb is painted red, it indicates no parking. It is used for emergencies by the local police or fire department. While a yellow color indicates that it is ok to load or unload goods or passengers. A white color indicates that you can park a vehicle for not more than 3 minutes, whereas a green color indicates that you can park the vehicle for no more than 15 minutes. Only a vehicle which displays the license or placards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles can park at a blue curb which normally indicates handicap parking. A Curb painting needs to be perfect or else drivers could be misdirected.

Though Curb painting sounds very simple, it is not so. Any individual who wants to paint on curbs needs to obtain a permit from Code Services for the same. Also, different states have different regulations with regards to curb painting.

Effective Parking lot painting

Monday, January 28th, 2008

As the name suggests parking lot painting refers to the painting of the parking lot. This task would also include curb painting. Additionally, the parking lot painting instructs us as to where we are allowed to park. In the grocery parking lot for instance, there would be paintings indication loading bays and no parking zones.

One of the key issues in parking lot painting is the type of paints used. Sometimes companies insist on state approved paints being used. This is because these are supposed to last longer and have better finished results.

Though all parking lots normally have uniform colors, it is better to use different colors for different categories of vehicles. These colors are meant to convey messages to the car owners. Even disability zones are normally painted different to the rest of the parking lot for quick and easy differentiation. These colors should be bright and appealing.

While painting your parking lot you can also use written messages and have a background color for the parking lot.

What happens in the absence of parking lot striping?

Monday, January 28th, 2008

Parking lot striping is the process by which parking spaces are marked off from each other. A well-marked parking lot directs people safely around the parking area.

Parking lots need to have lines that are neat, straight and easily visible. They should have markings for safe vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Also, they should have adequate and correctly painted disabled parking, have fire lanes and the marking of reserved parking spaces and no parking spaces and for these things to be effective, parking lot striping becomes inevitable. Apart from this, customers want parking lots that allow them to enter, park, and exit quickly and safely. Parking lot striping thus helps to achieve this.

Parking lot striping must therefore be a precise job, and not to be misconstrued as simply a painting job. Careful consideration must be given to the design of the parking lot to ensure that the parking spaces are practical and provide enough space for comfortable maneuvering.

With the help of parking lot striping, one can try and get the most cars into a parking lot, thus making it cost effective.

Want to know more about Traffic sign Installations?

Monday, January 28th, 2008

Traffic sign installations are an important part of a city where there is a lot of vehicular movement. These refer to the signage posted by the local administration on the roads. They are basically aimed at regulating the traffic and movement of vehicles on the city streets.

The traffic sign installations are available in metal as well as wood. These signs indicate zones meant for parking, not parking, motels, hotels, telephone availability, water, gas stations and tourist lodges. They come in different colors and each color denotes a different meaning.
All vehicles have to follow these signs and violation of the traffic sign could mean penalty for the vehicle drivers. Repeated violation of traffic rules and jumping traffic sign installations can result in suspension of the driver’s license for a year.
These traffic sign installations are erected by the local government agencies and that is also done after a study is conducted to evaluate the need for a traffic sign installation in the particular area. While doing this the local people are also consulted.

These traffic sign installations are carried out in pedestrian crossings, school zones, no honking zones, residential areas and so on after consulting the local residents.