Everything you need to know about wheel stops!

Are you concerned about the safety of your parking lots? Do you want to make your parking spaces well-organised and managed?

If yes, then wheel stops might be the right solution for you.

A wheel stopper is a helpful tool installed in different parking spaces to help drivers park their vehicles in the correct area. They inform the drivers when they reach the limit of their parking space and are about to hit a wall or another parked vehicle.

Parking blocks are used worldwide to increase the safety of parking lots. If you, too, want to better manage the traffic volume in your parking lot, read this article to learn all you need to know about this effective tool.

What is a wheel stop?

A wheel stopper is used for traffic management, control, calming, and pedestrian safety purposes. It is mainly designed for asphalt parking spots, garage parking spaces, and disabled parking areas.

The function of this tool is to act as a barrier in the parking slots and tell drivers where they can park their vehicles without exceeding the limit or crossing the pedestrian walking area in a parking space.

They are installed on the ground of parking lots. They may also have pavement markings around them that enhance their visibility. Property owners should keep wheel stoppers apart according to local installation standards.

To get the most out of this tool, they should use different kinds of wheel stoppers for different kinds of vehicles, such as fire trucks, carts, trucks, buses, trailers, emergency vehicles, and cars.

To enhance safety, you can also use complementary traffic control devices, including speed ramps, rumble strips, speed bumps, traffic cones, speed humps, speed cushions, traffic barriers, road bumps, bollards, and wheel stoppers, as well as traffic sign and signage.

This way, drivers and pedestrians will learn about their presence in advance and drive or walk accordingly.

If you are installing parking kerbs in a darker area where light is dim, you should use stoppers that have reflective tapes to increase their visibility. Doing so will reduce the chance of pedestrians tripping over the wheel stops (also called curb stops).

It will also make them visible to the drivers even when they are far from the stopper. Parking blocks are bolted to the ground with the help of sturdy bolts. It keeps them fixed to their place in a driveway, roadway, intersection, car-parking site, bicyclist parking lot, and street parking area.

Learn more: What is a wheel stop?

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What is the role of parking blocks?

By now, you must have learnt the key role of a parking stop: to help drivers park cars and other vehicles in their lanes properly to discourage parking lot accidents.

Like other traffic safety devices such as traffic barriers, speed humps, speed bumps, speed ramps, heavy-duty speed tables, and speed breakers, municipalities and the transportation department also install wheel stops to make city streets and parking areas safe for all.

They all play an important role in reducing the number of accidents and deaths caused by car crashes. Many people lose their lives on unsafe roads and parking lots that do not use traffic safety tools yearly.

However, you can save many lives by installing the right traffic control or safety equipment in the right place.

Signposts, stop signs, parking signs, parking brake warning signs, speed signs, traffic signs, and road signs are also important, and they should be used along with the above-mentioned tools to create a safer outdoor environment for all.

You can install rubber wheel stops in different parking lots, including disabled parking lots, event parking areas, office parking sites, commercial property parking lots, street parking spaces, and residential parking garages.

No matter where they are installed, they improve traffic management and organisation really well.

Learn more: What is the role of parking blocks?

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Different types of car stops

Car stops are categorised into different groups based on their material, installation location and vehicle type they are used for.

Car stop types based on material

Car stop manufacturers use plastic-rubber composite, rubber, plastic, metal, wood, and concrete to produce car stops. These materials have different properties, so they also give different advantages to wheel stops.

For instance, rubber and plastic are comparatively softer materials, absorbing more tire impact than steel and concrete.

Car stop types based on location

Car stops can be used at different locations, such as garages, residential areas, and parking lots. Car stops installed in residential areas are light-duty because they do not experience heavy traffic.

In contrast, public parking lots and garages need heavy-duty wheel stops to withstand heavy traffic’s impact daily.

Car stop types and lengths depend on the vehicle they are used for. Different wheel stops are used for different types of vehicles.

Wheel stops for cars can withstand low to moderate pressure, while truck, trailer and bus wheel stops are designed to endure high pressure.

Learn more: Different types of car stops.

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Wheel stop installation standards

Wheel stop installation is a simple process you can also perform independently if you know the basics of using standard instruments like a hammer, drill, screws, etc.

You should install parking blocks among the parked vehicles so that they maintain vehicular and pedestrian traffic flow very well. They should be installed according to the pavement marking and not cross a pedestrian crossing, crosswalk, or sidewalk.

Here is how to install wheel stops:

• Step 1: Mark the area with chalk such that the screw holes on the pavement are exactly where the wheel stopper has screw holes.

• Step 2: Create holes in the marked pavement of parking lots or docks with the help of a drilling machine.

• Step 3: Remove debris and dust using a hand broom.

• Step 4: Insert plastic hole plugs inside each hole with the help of a hammer.

• Step 5: Place the curb stop on the pavement and insert screws through its screw holes. Tighten them with a wrench.

• Step 6: Cover the moulded wheel stop with end caps or a protector if it has any.

Wheel stoppers have installation standards that vary from one place to the other. You should learn these standards before you place this tool in your parking lot.

In most areas in the UK, it is suggested that the maximum distance between two adjacent car or truck stoppers should not exceed 3 feet. They should also be placed at the right distance from the curb or the wall so the vehicle does not hit the wall while parked.

In most areas, the suggested distance between a curb and a wheel stop is 15 to 20 inches.

If you plan to install a curb stop in your driveway or garage, ask the local municipality or transportation department to learn your area’s specific wheel stop installation standards.

Learn more: Wheel stop installation standards.

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Wheel stop standards

Tyre stoppers also have local standards to meet when installing them in your garage or parking area. These standards are different for different areas.

You should check the dimensions of the parking car wheel stop and ensure it is according to local standards. They should neither be too heightened nor too float for your parking lot.

The standard height of a wheel stop in the UK should be around 100 mm. Its length should be from 550 mm to 1,830 mm, and its width should be approximately 150 mm.

Parking blocks also have visibility standards designed to ensure they are highly visible no matter where they are installed.

According to these standards, parking kerb wheel stops need reflective stripes that reflect and become highly visible when light falls on them. You can also colour your wheel stops to increase their visibility.

Common colours of car wheel stops are yellow, white, blue, and black. If you do not consider the visibility factors, you may increase your parking lot’s tripping and accident risks.

Learn more: Wheel stop standards.

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Guide to buying wheel stoppers

Rubber wheel stops are sold in different designs in the market.

You should be aware of their different shapes and the benefits of each form if you want to buy the right curb stop to control traffic volume in your parking lot and slow down vehicles while they are being parked.

Here are the factors you should consider when purchasing a parking stopper for your parking areas.

Learn more: Guide to buying wheel stoppers.

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Material of the tool

Parking stops can be manufactured of recycled plastic, rubber, steel, wood, and concrete. Industrial rubber wheel stoppers are flexible yet strong. They reduce the impact of stoppers on the tires of vehicles.

Polyurethane wheel stops are also a good option, but they may not withstand the pressure of heavy vehicles, including ambulances, trucks, etc.

Height, width, and length

Dimensions of a wheel stop should be according to the vehicle’s dimensions that will be parked in the parking facilities.

Car trailer wheel stops and HGV truck wheel stops are heavy-duty, sturdy, longer, and wider than car parking blocks and motorcycle wheel stops.

Reflector tape or striping

Wheel stops with reflective tapes should be preferred over the ones that do not have these tapes or striping. This tape is used to make them highly visible to drivers. As the name suggests, these tapes shine when light falls on them.

So when a car’s front light falls on a wheel stopper in a darker site, it becomes visible even if the parking area does not have a light source.

Manufacturer

Parking stops are sold by many manufacturers in the market. You should check the manufacturers’ competence, reliability and sincerity before selecting any of them.

You should check their online websites and customer reviews. You can also send them a message to check their customer service.

Popular parking kerbs in different countries

Parking kerbs are popularly used worldwide to make parking lots safe for foot and vehicular traffic.

They have different installation and construction standards in different countries. You should be aware of your country’s standards to buy them accordingly.

Here are the popular parking kerbs used in different countries around the globe.

• XPT wheel stoppers are made of rubber and manufactured by a UK-based company. They can be used for any car or van. They have moulded markings that enhance their visibility even when fixed in a darker area.

• Sino Concept is a famous manufacturer of wheel stoppers. It offers rubber parking kerbs in four different sizes.
  Their products are sturdy, lasting, and reliable. They offer moulded reflective yellow or white strips that make them visible to drivers and pedestrians.

• Traffic Safety Store is a USA-based store that offers various traffic safety equipment, including wheel stoppers. Their parking blocks are available in several colours and dimensions. They are made up of either plastic or rubber.

• Parking Target parking stops are available in different sizes. They are peel-and-stick parking kerbs, meaning they have an adhesive side that sticks to the ground when you remove its covering. Parking Target is a popular USA brand offering great parking management solutions.

Learn more: Popular parking kerbs in different countries.

Conclusion

Wheel stops are popularly used in parking lots and garages to maintain the appropriate distance between parked vehicles. They create a barrier and help drivers stay within their specific parking slot without crossing the designated area for pedestrians.

Car stops are available in plastic, rubber, metal, concrete and wood. Each material has unique properties and is suitable for particular parking lot needs. You should select the material that best meets your parking lot’s needs.

Choose parking blocks to reduce the number of collisions and accidents in your parking areas. Make your parking sites safe with the installation of this effective tool.