Need to Know How to Install a Traffic Sign? Parking Sign? U-Channel Post?

Emedco is the leader in traffic and Parking Signs and has officially launched their first series of instructional/how to videos. The videos are 2-3 minutes long, very informative and of high quality. You won’t find a better traffic and parking instructional video on the web…You can view them at the bottom of this post or click on the links here

The first series includes…

• How to properly install a U-channel post
• How to properly mount a traffic and parking sign to a U-channel post

Emedco will continue to produce these outstanding videos for their customers and will host them on Emedco.com as well as their YouTube Channel. -

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Designing a custom parking sign online is quick and easy

I wanted to share a very cool Parking sign web application provided by Emedco.com with you. If you are responsible for the parking signs in your company parking lot, then you have probably needed custom signage at one time or another.

Here are a few examples…

• Parking for  “Bernie Lomax” Employee of the Month
• Parking for “Principal Anderson” only
• Parking for “Slate Industry” employees only

Creating these signs yourself and ordering them is very quick and easy…especially with the Emedco.com custom parking sign application.

Simply use the drop down boxes to choose your header, select your sign size, select your sign colors (background and letters), and finally type your desired wording in the text box. You will be able to view your sign as you design it.

Once you are done simply add to cart and checkout and your sign will be shipped same day!

Good luck designing your own sign and have fun!

- The Traffic and Parking Guy

National Workzone Safety Week -April 19th-23rd

To those who follow this blog and many others…Traffic Safety is extremely important the main purpose of this site. I would like to help drive awareness that next week is National Workzone Safety Week...It’s more important than you may think…see this video and stay safe.

Buying a Handicap Parking Sign for your parking lot

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 provided guidelines to prevent discrimination against people with mental or physical disabilities. Signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the law extended protections of the 1964 Civil Rights Act to the handicapped. The scope of the law is broad, covering everything from being hired or fired and to the number and width of parking spaces in public parking areas.

Today we will discuss parking spaces in public parking areas….It is very important to note that you cannot just throw up a few handicap parking signs here and there, and call it a day.

1) Buying the right sign: What state are you posting this handicap sign? I ask because certain states, like Ohio, California, Texas, Michigan and more have specific handicap parking sign colors and legends that are required or recommended by the state guidelines. Every state is different so be sure to check your states guidelines for more specific information.

2) Buying the right sign size: Handicap signs usually are available in two popular sizes, 18″x12″ and 24″x18″. Note: You will also see 18″ or 24″ square signs. Choose the size that best fits your needs. 18″x12″ usually works just fine for parking spots.

3) Buying the right sign material: Handicap signs at Emedco are available in aluminum, steel, and polyethylene. See my blog on traffic sign and parking sign material here for more information.

4) Having the right amount of handicap parking spaces: Now that you have your handicap sign picked out you will need to consider how many you need.  All parking lots are required to have at least one van accessible parking space. If the parking lot can hold between 26 to 50 cars, the lot must have two spaces–one car and one van. The formula adds an additional standard space at 76+, 101+, 151+, 201+ and 301+. At 401 spaces, the lot is required to have seven car and two van spaces. If the lot has more than 501 spaces, ADA regulations state that 2 percent of the lot must be handicapped accessible. Parking lots with a capacity of 1,001 or more cars are required to have 20 cars and add one additional spot for every additional 100 spaces. REF.

See the largest selection of handicap parking signs and traffic signs at www.emedco.com

Top 10 Reasons Traffic Signs are Everyday Super Heroes

Its a bird, its a plane, its a speed limit sign!

I know, it sounds like a stretch but if you really break it down to it’s simplest form traffic signs are very similar to super heroes. check it out…

1) Super heroes save lives…..Stop sign prevent two or more cars crashing which could lead to tragedy.

2) Super heroes keep people safe from danger….Pedestrian crossing signs keep people safe from speeding cars.

3) Super heroes promote well being and health….No smoking signs, and No Idle signs do the same.

4) Super heroes keep woman and children safe….”Slow Down Children in the Area” signs keep children safe. I haven’t seen a “slow down woman in the area sign but let me know if you have, it would help get my point across.

5) Super heroes slow a speeding train….Speed limit signs slow speeding cars and trucks.

6) Super heroes can sense danger ahead….Yield signs can do the same.

7) Super heroes keep natures animals safe from danger….Caution Deer Crossing Signs also keep natures animals safe from danger.

8)  Super heroes keep bad guys and criminals from mischievous behavior…No Trespassing signs, Security and Surveillance Signs do the same.

9) Super heroes put out fires….No Parking Fire Lane signs allow fire trucks to get easy access to put out fires.

10) Super heroes take extra care of the disabled….Handicap parking signs also take extra care of the disabled.

Now that you realize the similarities between super heroes and traffic signs be sure to pay attention to them, listen to them and you will keep yourself and others out of harms way.

How to make your traffic sign last longer

How long do your traffic and parking signs last? a couple years before you start to notice weather damage and graffiti?…if you’re lucky. Wouldn’t it be nice if the lasted forever and you never had to replace them?!?!

This is 100% possible and it’s all about the sign’s topcoat.

All traffic and parking signs from all manufacturers are basically made from the same materials - steel, aluminum or plastic. These materials are all susceptible to

• Fading from sun damage
• Rust from rain and mist
• Cracking from the cold winds
• Graffiti from vandals

This can all be prevented with a special, unique topcoat called Duroshield. Duroshield is a tedlar laminate on top of the vinyl sign face which is adhered to the sign’s raw material (steel, aluminum, poly). This special laminate is so tough that it is able to stand up to the harshest weather conditions and chemicals. It is UV guarded ensuring that the sign will never fade or weather so the sign message will always be clear. The topcoat is graffiti-resistant blocking solvents and chemicals, allowing graffiti to clean right off and never damage the sign face.

Emedco offers traffic and parking signs with the Duroshield topcoat for only $9.99. It’s comes with a lifetime guarantee as well! Never pay for a replacement sign again.

Here are some signs available with the Duroshield topcoat

Stop signs, speed limit signs, pedestrian crossing signs, yield signs, do not enter signs, No idle signs, no parking signs, visitor parking signs, reserved parking signs, exit signs, one way signs and more.

What is the MUTCD? Do you need to abide by it?

If you’re responsible for the purchase or installation of traffic signs, parking signs or traffic control devices, then you should familiarize yourself with the MUTCD.

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or MUTCD defines the standards used by road managers nationwide to install and maintain traffic control devices on all public streets, highways, bikeways, and private roads open to public traffic. The MUTCD is published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655, Subpart F.

In other words, the MUTCD is a documented National  standard for traffic and parking signs and traffic control devices published by the US Government Department of Transportation.

In regards to signs, The MUTCD provides a standard based on the safest possible sign. This includes sign hieght and width minimums, mandatory sign colors (background, letters, and symbols), sign reflectivity minimums, Letter size, allowed symbols, and location of legend and symbols on the sign face.

Do you need to abide by it?

The answer is usually yes. Any state or federal highway must abide by the standards. Any privately owned roadway or parking lot by which the public travels must also abide by the MUTCD. Even if you don’t need to abide by the MUTCD you probably should anyway..why wouldn’t you? The FWHA(a group of traffic safety professionals) work everyday to provide the safest possible roadways. They have done the testing a research for you. If you want your parking lot, driveway, roadway to be as safe as possible, start with the MUTCD.

The electronic version of the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD is the most current edition. The 2009 MUTCD posted electronically on this MUTCD Web site is the official FHWA publication. FHWA does not print copies of the MUTCD. National organizations have partnered and printed hard copies of the MUTCD. These hard copies are available for sale. Go to ATSSA, ITE, AASHTO, or IMSA to get sales information.

Emedco has a large selection of MUTCD approved traffic signs and parking signs.

Do you know how to install a traffic and parking sign post?

The weather is turning and it’s time to step outside and take another look at your traffic sign and parking sign situation.

• Do you need to add more traffic signs or parking signs?
• Do you need to replace damaged sign posts?
• Are you looking to upgrade to a safer MUTCD FHWA standard breakaway post?

If you answered yes to any of these questions then you might appreciate a quick guide to installing a traffic and parking sign post.

The most popular post is a u-channel post so we will use that as our example. Although, square sign posts and tubular sign post do follow the same guidelines, the only difference being that you can drive a u-channel post into the ground, and you would need to dig a hole for a square or tubular post.

The first thing you need to do is figure out the size of your post. Most post range from 4ft to 12ft. The size of your post is going to determine how far you need to submerge your post in the ground. Measure the post height. See the chart at the end of this post to help you determine the distance you need to drive your post into the ground.

Use one of the following tools to drive to post into the ground. Do not hit the top of the post with a hammer or mallot of any sort as it will damage a warp the post.

You can use heavy duty post driver to drive post into ground.

• Heavy-duty post drivers have extra long arms that allow one person to drive a sign post up to 12 feet above the ground.
• Durable steel construction allows years of use.
• Ideal for parking lots, roadways and driveways.
• Available in 2 styles: 38-lb for use with 2- and 3-lb U-channel, square or round posts. Will fit posts with inside diameter of up to 3-3/4″. 45-lb for 3- and 4-lb posts. Will fit inside posts with inside diameter of up to 4″.

Or you can use a basic Post Driver recomended for sign posts 8ft and smaller.

• 28lbs steel driver sends post right into the ground.
• The handles make it easy for one person to lift driver over any u-channel post.

If you have a small sledge hammer, or a strong mallot you can also use a Drive Cap.

• Iron cap fits on top of any u-channel posts.
• Place cap on top and strike with hammer.

Follow this simple chart letting you know how far to drive your post. Once you reach your desired distance you are done!

Post size	Portion of post to be driven into ground
4ft	1-1/2ft-2ft
6-8ft	2-1/2ft-3-1/2ft
9,10,12 ft	3-12ft-4ft

I hope you found this guide helpful. Please comment with any questions and I will get back to you right away.

Thanks,

Traffic and Parking Guy

www.emedco.com

MUTCD Sign Color Regulations

 

Did you know that the FWHA’s MUTCD has strict restrictions on what colors a traffic sign is?

It’s something you might not think too much about, but is very important to pay attention to when buying a new traffic sign. The uniformity of the colors creates a universally recognizable icon. Here’s a simple example…If everyone  recognizes a stop sign as being red with white letters and your stop sign is green with white letters (I have seen that) then you are creating confusion. That confusion could easily create a high potential for accidents and injuries. Take a look at your current signs..Do they follow color regulations? If not…replace them for your own good and the good of your visitors.

WRONG!!!!

 

Here is a quick guide..for a more extensive guide please visit…MUTCD

Stop Signs

• legend: White
• Background: Red

Yield Signs

• legend: Red
• Background: White

In Street Pedestrian Crossing Sign

• legend: Black
• Background: Flourescent Yellow-Green, or Yellow
• Yield or Stop Symbol: Red on White
• Ped Symbol: Black on White

Speed Limit Signs

• legend: Black
• Background: White

No Right Turn and No Left Turn – AKA Turn Prohibition Sign

• Circle & Diagonal: Red
• Symbol & border: Black
• Background: White

No u-Turn Signs

• Circle & Diagonal: Red
• Symbol & border: Black
• Background: White

Do Not Enter Signs

• legend and Background: White
• Symbol: Red

Wrong Way Sign

• legend: White
• Background: Red

No Parking Signs

• legend: Red
• Background: White

Highway Warning Signs

• legend: Black
• Background: yellow 

Road Work Warning Signs

• legend: Black
• Background: Orange

Choosing the right traffic and parking sign material

Have a need for  a traffic sign or a parking sign?

Ready to start your research? You probably already know what sign legend you need, whether it be a stop sign, yield sign, speed limit sign, do not enter sign, no parking sign, reserved parking sign, I could go on and on but that is probably the easiest part of your traffic or parking sign purchasing decision.

The next factor you want to consider is reflectivity. I’ve explained traffic and parking sign reflectivity in a previous blog, read it, I hope it helps your traffic and parking sign purchasing research.

Now that you have chosen you sign ledend and reflectivity it is time to think about your traffic and parking sign material. You have three main choices here…

• Aluminum sign
• Steel sign
• polyethylene sign
• Wood sign

Aluminum Traffic and Parking Signs

Aluminum signs are very sturdy and the longest lasting signs. They are usually your highest price sign pending on the current raw material market. Aluminum is lighter than steel and arguably just as strong. The light weight makes for easy transportation and installation. Aluminum signs will withstand harsh weather conditions and will not rust. Make sure your aluminum sign is .080 thick for all signs 24″ x 18″ or larger. A sign that size with bend in the wind if the thickness is less than .080. If you can afford it I would strongly suggest aluminum for all permanent outdoor signage.

Steel Traffic and Parking Signs

Steel is strong, obviously, but it is also heavy. If you have a strong couple of people willing to install it than it is worth it. Steel is less expensive than aluminum in most cases. Although, due to the raw material market steel is becoming more and more expensive. Steel signs will rust so you would need to ensure a galvanized coating is added to prevent rusting. Most Traffic and Parking Sign companies offer that, or at least they should. Choose an 18 gauge steel, it will not bend. That’s about .050 thick. Steel is a good option, it is strong as can be and slightly less expensive than aluminum. Good for outdoor permanent use.

Polyethylene Traffic and Parking Signs

Polyethylene signs is a sturdy plastic sign that is super light and easy to install anywhere. High density plastic will not crack, rust or bend is normal conditions. The nice thing about polyethylene traffic and parking signs is that they don’t hurt when you bump your head into them…if that is a problem at you facility than these might be the sign for you. These signs are not good for any sort of harsh weather conditions…rain, snow, high winds etc. polyethylene traffic and parking signs will be your least expensive sign but will not last a long time. Great for indoor use where the weather is not a factor.

Wood Traffic and Parking Signs

As a traffic and parking sign expert I would not recommend wood. If you facility has wood signs I would replace them now. Wood is susceptible to weather, expensive, heavy and not to mention a poor ecological decision. Sometimes wood looks nicer than the other choices but there are plenty of aluminum signs that have a wood grain look..check these designer signs out for example.

Good luck with your Traffic and Parking Sign choice…remember, you don’t want to replace a sign because you made the wrong choice. A sign should last a long time.

Rick – The Traffic and Parking Sign Guy