Discover different types of car stops!

As automobile companies continue to excite people with wonderful car models, many motor vehicles set their tracks on roadways.

As a result, multiple traffic safety issues arise, such as congested roads, leaving police enforcement helpless.

Street parking is a serious traffic issue observed nowadays. Parking spots are increasingly dangerous, from leaving unattended handbrakes to hitting pedestrians by parking over sidewalks.

Fortunately, transportation engineers have introduced a new kind of traffic calming measure, i.e., wheel stops.

Different materials for wheel stops

Traffic solutions companies create wheel stops with the most durable, cost-effective, and powerful materials.

Learn more: Different materials for wheel stops.

Here is a brief introduction to four popular choices:

Rubber

Recycled rubber may come to you as a surprise, but it’s an industry-favourite material for several reasons:

• It is extremely flexible, making it adaptable even on rough and uneven surfaces where many traffic control devices never settle.

• Vulcanization makes it strong. Therefore, rubber can stand rough vehicle collisions without getting damaged. This also makes them last for a long-time.

• You can install it single-handedly. The wheel stops have bolts and pre-drilled bolted holes. Using a drill and a hammer, you can install it within no time.

• Since rubber can have permanent colour due to moulding, rubber wheel stops are visible even in dark surroundings. The reflective tape and long-lasting paint make it easier for drivers to spot wheel stops in parking areas.

Learn more: Pros and cons of rubber parking kerbs!

Recycled plastic

Looking for cost-effective, dense material for wheel stops? Plastic parking kerbs are what you need. With pre-drilled screw holes and lightweight advantages, you can install them yourself.

You can even get them in any colour you want. Some can even have reflective strip markings, increasing the visibility of wheel stops in dark surroundings such as underground parking.

Many property owners install plastic wheel stops for their garages because they are aesthetically pleasing for driveways.

Concrete

Contemplating over what can be a fixating and sturdy material for wheel stops? Concrete or asphalt serves as an excellent example. Being naturally heavy, they will fix in one position, causing vehicles to stay within the specific parking lot.

However, if vehicles hit them, there can be devastating damage to their bumpers, causing bodywork repair expenses. Nevertheless, they can act as warnings to drivers and be reasonably durable.

However, severe weather conditions can cause them to crack or chip, and the paint may vanish. Since they can only be painted, they need regular maintenance or the lack of paint will reduce visibility.

Learn more: Concrete wheel stops vs rubber wheel stops: which one is better?

Steel

Some companies manufacture steel-type wheel stops. However, they are less common, and a bollard is a much better option. If you’re unaware, bollards are poll-like steel structures that can be painted with reflective strips.

Hence, drivers can spot them easily and park their vehicles by being extra cautious about crashing.

Parking kerbs for different locations

Wherever you go, you must have noticed that parking spots are essential and found everywhere. Be it your building’s basement or factory, there will always be designated parking places.

Learn more: Parking kerbs for different locations.

However, different wheel stop materials can be effective for different locations. Let’s see what work bests in varying places:

• Industries: You must have noticed trailers unloading the merchandise for transfer at the loading bay.
  Moreover, there are trucks, cars, and forklifts in factories. All these heavy-duty vehicles require precision, and a driver can hit a wall or pillar while backing up their trailer. Therefore, installing rubber wheel stops can streamline operations and reduce possible hazards.

• Supermarkets and airport parking: These both are perhaps excellent examples of extravagance and highly managed parking facilities. Airports have parallel parking spots, catering to thousands of vehicles.
  Despite having vehicle parking, these places also have extended facilities for motorcycle parking. Since normal standard cars visit these places, rubber or plastic can be a suitable option for wheel stops because they withstand the impact of such vehicles.

• Garages: While safeguarding your vehicle in driveways, a wheel stop in parking garages, along with curbs and bushes, can beautify your parking spaces. Concrete or plastic is a good choice for creating a reserved parking space because they are cost-effective and thrive for an adequate time.

Learn more: Get to know rubber wheel stops for garage! 

Car Stops for different vehicles

From HGV and trucks to standard sedans and hatchbacks, automobile companies have a wide vehicle option range. However, vehicles differ in size, length, specification, model, brand, and wheel range. As a result, car stops for different vehicle ranges will be different.

Learn more: Car Stops for different vehicles.

Let’s look at some of the suitable wheel stops for the following vehicles:

• Commercial vehicles

• Buses

• HGVs

Learn more: Facts you need to know about HGV wheel stops!

Trucks or emergency vehicles such as buses, fire trucks, and ambulances will likely hit rails or curbs while backing them. Installing rubber wheel stops will boost the confidence of drivers to park without any worries.

An indoor concrete wheel stop for a standard sedan vehicle will be good because it lasts a lifetime.

On the other hand, some truck-type commercial vehicles, such as range rovers, require a flexible rubber wheel stop because these cars can crack plastic or concrete. Nevertheless, a standard size of 1,220 mm would work since it can cover the entire base of a normal motor vehicle.

For a forklift or huge trailers at docks, wheel stops are made from rubber or PU plastic because only these can endure the burgeoning impact from trailer wheels.

More often than not, the trailer wheels are huge, requiring separate wheel stops for each tire. Therefore, you might need two 550mm wheel chocks for each tire of these huge roadmasters.

Moreover, some traffic signs, such as stop signs, parking signs, and traffic cones, can indicate a driver about designated parking spots, causing them to slow down and reduce their vehicle’s acceleration.

Purpose of wheel stops

Car wheel stoppers have many names, such as wheel chocks, parking kerbs, car stops, and parking blocks. Car wheel stoppers have prevented numerous parking accidents by acting as a roadside barrier between obstacles and motor vehicles.

Wondering how they work? Consider the situation below:

Imagine a situation where you’re finding a parking space for your car. Finally, you find a spot after immense searches. However, as you started to drive the car into the lot, you couldn’t notice but hit your vehicle on the concrete curb.

These circumstances are common, and wheel stops prevent them effectively by obstructing the curb and the vehicle. Once your vehicle exceeds the limit of the parking lot, the wheel chocks stop your vehicle using friction.

Even if you park your car in front of a commercial store, the unattended handbrake or careless driving may hit walls or shatter glasses.

Furthermore, you may propel onto the sidewalks, compromising pedestrian safety. If they are passing by, you are at risk of hitting them, which may earn you a damage fine.

Not only applicable for parking lots, but wheel stops are also popular choices for home garages, driveways, loading bays, and parallel parking areas.

Conclusion

With parking accidents being a serious issue, installing wheel stops in various city streets, lanes, and municipalities are essential. If you operate a supermarket or oversee any school, you must consider wheel stops for parking spaces.

Not only it improve pedestrian safety, but it will also reduce accidents and potential danger chances to public property. Wondering where you can get wheel stops that will streamline parking facilities in your place?

Contact us at Sino concept, where we specialize in creating vulcanized rubber wheel stops of different lengths. You can even request a colour change, suitable for disabled parking.

Visit our website for more traffic products like speed bumps, speed humps, speed cushions, and lane dividers.