To answer both of the questions above – you could, and no, but you’ll be taking risks with people’s safety, and you probably won’t be making the most of the available space you have in your carpark, but more on that later.
In this short article, we briefly cover what car park markings actually are, including what they’re made from, why car park line marking really is important, and how it benefits the users of the car park and the car park owners.
What are car park markings?
To start with the basics – car park line markings are lines on a car park surface designed to provide drivers (and pedestrians) with quick-to-read instructions on where to park and where not to park, plus how to navigate the car park.
What are car park line markings made from?
Most modern car park line markings are installed using thermoplastic, a line marking application with a range of benefits that make it ideal for most types of car park surfaces.
The benefits of thermoplastic include:
It’s hardwearing – When installed correctly, with the right preparation, thermoplastic is extremely hardwearing, and will remain vibrant and functional even with a heavy traffic flow.
It has the ability to be preformed – Due to how it sets, thermoplastic can be preformed prior to installation, meaning it’s not only quick to install but more cost-efficient than other applications.
It has a reflective quality – Due to the addition of tiny and harmless glass beads, thermoplastic has high reflectivity, making it ideal for dimly lit car parks, and to aid drivers in adverse weather conditions.
Why are car park line markings important?
Car park line markings play an essential role in the design and functioning of a car park, but, as well as providing a quick-to-understand guide on how to navigate the car park, they also provide three other key functions, including:
Creating a safety structure – Well-designed and clearly laid out car park line markings provide a robust safety structure by providing drivers with instant instructions on the traffic flow direction, as well as where they can and cannot park etc.
These safety benefits of car park line markings also extend to pedestrian safety, as they show where it’s safe to walk, which way to look when leaving walkways, plus how to safely locate payment facilities, amenities, and the nearest exits.
Improving aesthetics – You want your car park to not only function well, but also to look great and make users feel comfortable and just as importantly, make them remember it, and want to return.
High-quality car park line markings including lines, symbols and even brand-specific graphics, give you the opportunity to make your car park unique, give visitors a feeling of safety and comfort, and a reason to park there again.
Helping to make the most of the space – As a car park owner, your objective is to fill your car park to maximum capacity whilst still keeping users safe, and allowing them to manoeuvre without difficulty.
By hiring a reputable road line marking specialist to design the layout and install your car park line markings, the space will be fully optimised whilst adhering to local regulations and following government recommendations.
Contact Us
If you’re looking for a line marking specialist to install road line markings in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, or anywhere else in the UK, contact City Road Markings, one of the UK's leading line marking experts.