How to Extend a Driveway with Asphalt | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner add an extra parking spot to keep their vehicles off of a very busy street. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Adding a parking spot to a driveway can increase the driveway’s usefulness, keep the vehicle safe and away from busy streets, and even provide an extra spot for repairs. And while it’s not exactly a DIY project, it’s helpful to understand the steps on how extending a driveway with asphalt is done. You Might Need Permission In many municipalities, the sidewalk and even some of the yard may belong to the town. Adding a parking space that may affect the town’s property will require permission. On top of that, the town may require a permit. While neither item is usually a big deal, homeowners should do their due diligence and check with the town first. Hire an Asphalt Contractor Asphalt requires special equipment, techniques, and knowledge, so it’s best to hire a contractor. Knowing how to slope the 300-degree asphalt before it hardens is critical, else there can be low spots that collect water or rain may run off in the wrong direction. Mark the Utilities Installing an asphalt driveway requires some excavation, and contractors need a general idea of where the utilities lie. For this reason, asphalt companies will call utility marking agencies to come out and mark the yard wherever the gas, sewer, water, or underground electricity travel under the yard. Where to find it? Mark recruits the help of a local asphalt contractor to install a parking spot for a homeowner on a busy street. Contact utility locating services in preparation for any project that requires digging. Once water, gas, and sewer lines that run underground are identified and marked, it’s safe to proceed on to digging. To prep the space the crew will dig down about 15” to get below the frost line and use a specialty compactor, called a drum vibratory roller, to compact the soil to establish a solid base. Add a layer of crushed added for proper drainage. Pour the asphalt base and surface layers, compacting between each layer. Visit the Better Business Bureau [https://www.bbb.org/] website to find reputable asphalt companies near you. The asphalt is sealed with a product manufactured by Pioneer Sealcoat, LLC. [https://www.pioneersealcoat.com/] Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/st...

Accessible Parking Video Fact Sheet - ADA

Troy Balthazor, ADA Specialist for the Great Plains ADA Center, gives an overview of accessible parking requirements from the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Technical assistance for these standards is available by calling 1-800-949-4232.

GreatPlainsADACenter

Regulating Traffic With Speed Bumps

Most drivers and pedestrians have encountered one or more types of speed bumps. There are several different types, each with its own specific purpose when it comes to traffic and parking lot management.

Street speed bumps, known as traffic calming features are designed to cause drivers to slow down significantly in order to go over them safely. Placed across the entire roadway, with a space on either side for drainage, the raised road surface is a bump in the road with heights typically ranging between three and four inches. The depth of the bumps are typically less than one foot. The bumps serve as a reminder to drivers to watch their speed and making it impossible to drive too fast through the areas in which traffic calming features have been placed.

Commercial speed bumps on streets and in parking lots tend to be larger and made of high impact materials, such as concrete or asphalt. They can have stripes or the entire surface painted in embedded reflective tape or highly visible paint colors, such as yellow or orange.

In residential areas, this type of traffic calming feature is used to reduce the rate at which the motor vehicle travels in high traffic or areas that have had racing or other traffic related problems. These bumps are typically smaller in size and are made of lower impact materials, such as recycled plastic or rubber. They may also be painted orange or yellow or embedded with reflective tape for easy visibility, day or night.

Speed humps are used for the same purpose as speed bumps, but they are designed to be driven over at rates of travel of up to twenty miles per hour without having to stop or slow down. This type of traffic calming feature is wider than the typical bump in that they are typically ten to fourteen feet in-depth. Unlike the smaller traffic calming devices, which are intended to make drives stop abruptly, speed humps are designed to encourage a gradual stop and to remind drivers to maintain the speed limit. Speed humps can be used for different traffic and parking situations; however, they are primarily used in residential areas.

Poorly designed raised road features can be hard to negotiate in vehicles with low clearance even at slow speeds. These traffic calming devices can also pose a hazard to motorcycles, bicyclists, and even pedestrians if not visibly marked. In some cases, the speed bump will be designed so that a break in the bump in the middle of the road allows two-wheel vehicles to pass without having to pass over the bump.

Controlling vehicle speed with a speed bump or speed hump is the most effective method to improve the safety of a parking lot, driveway or private lane. High visibility speed bumps and signs are the best way to communicate to drivers to keep their speed to a minimum.

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Maureen McHale is a marketing consultant specializing in SEO and content management.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/M_McHale/676160

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7481205

Parking Lot Design Hacks | Pass the ARE 5.0

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Creating a Handicap Accessible and ADA Compliant Parking Spot

When business owners are designing their location's parking lot, they should be sure to keep in mind their handicapped customers. The Americans with Disabilities Acts establishes a strict set of guidelines that must be followed by every business with a parking lot. Failure to comply with ADA regulations can result in fines. Luckily for business owners, the ADA specifications are rather straightforward.

ADA regulations require that a business owner have a certain number of handicapped parking spots. According to Adaptive Access, this number depends on how many parking spots a location offers. For small businesses with only 25 parking stalls, only one accessible parking space is necessary. As the number of parking stalls increases, though, so does the number of required accessible parking spots. At the maximum, for locations with more than 1,000 regular parking spaces, handicapped parking spaces must account for 20 spots, plus one for every extra hundred spots.

When deciding on the location of a handicap-accessible parking spot, there are a few rules that a business owner needs to observe. The accessible parking spots must be the closest parking spot to the store. At some businesses, the closest parking spot may not be suitable for an accessible parking spot. For example, the closest spot may be located on an extreme slope, or the ground may have large cracks in it. If this is the case, than the accessible spot needs to be as close as safely possible to the business' entrance.

The pathway from the handicapped parking space to the store must also be accessible to customers with disabilities. A handicap-accessible parking spot cannot be located on the top floor of a garage unless there is a ramp or elevator that leads to the store entrance. An accessible spot may also not be positioned in a spot where there is an extreme slope. If the path to the store crosses in front of any vehicular traffic, than the area must feature a clearly marked pedestrian-crossing zone.

Each handicap-accessible parking spot must be at least eight feet wide. Handicap-accessible parking spots must have two five-foot wide pedestrian loading zones, into which a wheel chair or electric scooter can easily fit. Two adjacent handicapped parking spaces can share one loading zone. According to the Florida Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the parking spot must be outlined in blue, and needs to be repainted as necessary so that it is always clearly defined. Loading zones must be painted with diagonal stripes to denote that they are not parking spots.

The international handicap symbol should be painted on the pavement furthest from the curb so it is easily visible as a car approaches the stall. You can use the 39 inch (1 meter) international handicap parking stencil which is made to Federal ADA specifications. However, you should verify size requirements with your local zoning office as state specifications can vary and change without notification. For example, California requires the 36 inch handicap parking stencil and Florida requires the 60 inch handicap pavement stencil.

Handicap parking stencils are available in a range of sizes. A 21 inch is typically used in stadium row seating and the 72 inch is typically used at airports and large facilities.

ADA regulations say a handicapped parking spot must always have a handicapped parking sign placed in the front of the spot as well. A handicapped parking sign needs to be posted at a height so that it will always be viewable and mounted high enough for other cars to see - generally speaking, the parking sign needs to be posted five feet off the ground. The parking sign must also show the international symbol of accessibility. Once inside, you should include handicap bathroom signs.

For every eight handicapped parking spots, at least one spot needs to be accessible to vans. The van-accessible handicapped spot must still be eight feet wide, but the loading zones must be eight feet wide instead of five feet. The parking sign also needs to clearly designate that the spot is for vans, though regular vehicles with a permit may park there.

Designing a parking lot with handicapped accessibility in mind is key. Not only will it prevent a business owner from being fined, but it will also go a long way to pleasing any handicapped customers a business may have.

Daniel Keane has been owner of Alphabet Signs located in Wilmington DE since 1991. Daniel graduated Drexel University College of Business Administration in 1983. Membership includes International Sign Association and United States Signs Council. Alphabet Signs has over 3000 quality products in 50+ sign categories at discounted prices: http://www.alphabetsigns.com/

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Daniel_Keane/298828

How parking lots can be danger zones

How dangerous can a walk through the parking lot be? Even though people tend to drive a lot slower, Kris Van Cleave reports on how the consequences of distraction and other driving mistakes can be deadly.

Allow Vaca Vet Striping to Make Your Business ADA Compliant

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Allow Vaca Vet Striping to make your business ADA (Americans with Disabilities Assoc.) compliant. 

We understand the importance of quality asphalt maintenance and the importance of leaving a lasting impression to prospective tenants, home buyers, customers and the general public.

V.V.S. strives to provide quality work and great service at an affordable cost. We provide services in Solano, Napa, Yolo and Sacramento counties. Our services include city, county, and state roads, highways, airports, commercial parking lots, driveways and racetracks.

Benefits of Installing an Asphalt Parking Lot for Your Business

If you are a business owner, chances are that you have given the interior of your business more weight in terms of finishing and overall appeal while you have neglected the surrounding areas. Even then, you will be surprised to learn how important facade is when it comes to attracting customers.

As such, it is advisable to pay attention to the exteriors, such as driveways by making them appealing to the eye. In most instances, the majority of residential and commercial driveways are finished with concrete or asphalt. Asphalt is particularly a preferred choice for many people, as it is about 30-40 percent cheaper compared to concrete.

The benefits of asphalt are much greater than concrete. Here are some reasons why asphalt driveways are a must for your business:

Flexibility – When compared with concrete, asphalt is more elastic and able to withstand severe weather conditions. The liquid asphalt component allows asphalt to remain flexible, and better able to handle expansion and contraction.

Resilient – Asphalt is best equipped to withstand wear and tear resulting from high traffic that is common in many commercial establishments. Furthermore, it requires less maintenance making it an ideal choice of materials for your surface.

Aesthetic value – Not only does asphalt have a smooth surface, but it also looks cleaner. Asphalt can also be freshened up with a coat of asphalt sealer, restoring its original appearance. In addition, it is liquefied making it customizable. Thus, you can easily stamp in designs as well as decorations.

Environmental friendly – Asphalt driveways contain reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) that is 100% recyclable. RAP refers to old asphalt that is usually milled from pavements that have reached the end of their service life. Asphalt binder is used in the RAP meaning that a minimal amount of virgin asphalt and petroleum are used. Consequently, less mining aggregates are used. Other environmental benefits include cooler asphalt temperatures and reduction of storm system basins. Moreover, when in its porous form, asphalt requires less energy for manufacturing, significantly reducing odor, emissions as well as smoke.

Economical – Asphalt paving is usually less costly upfront compared to concrete paving. In addition, choosing asphalt for your driveway is cost-effective in the long run. That is, it reduces the overall lifetime cost of a paving project. Asphalt helps to reduce the demand on storm sewers effectively eliminating some of the local government impact fees. Apart from a quick installation that allows traffic to return in the shortest time possible, the long-term repairs and maintenance costs of asphalt are also low. On the other hand, concrete takes long to lay and set, this can result in loss of business. In terms of repairs, a crack on asphalt can be repaired inexpensively and quickly.

Versatile – The installation of asphalt driveways can be done over time depending on availability of funds. Thus, when traffic loading increases, installation can be done at night or during off-peak times when there is minimal disruption of traffic. Asphalt layers may be on a needs basis.

Safe – Asphalt driveway construction can only mean shorter lane closures translating to more safety for vehicles as well as workers within the work zone.

When completed, asphalt driveways offer other benefits over concrete driveways that include the following:

• They are skid resistant as they offer high friction due to the use of durable aggregates.
• The surface is smoother compared to cement.
• The surfaces greatly reduce the degree of spraying and splashing during storms. This improves driver visibility.
• The black asphalt surface also aids in a visible delineation of pavement markings and lanes.

Investing in an asphalt driveway is a good move as the benefits far outweigh the initial investment. If anything, asphalt driveways will attract potential customers to come to your business where they can engage you more thus, adding value to your business.


Article Souce: http://www.asphaltadvisor.com/2016/05/benefits-of-installing-asphalt-parking.html

Asphalt Paving | Start to Finish

Asphalt Paving | Start to Finish

By Asphalt Contractors

Repair or Replace? What To Do About Your Aging Asphalt Parking Lot

Nothing lasts forever, and asphalt is no exception. There comes a time with every parking lot where you need to ask whether it’s time to repair it, or replace it altogether.

A properly paved asphalt lot can last 20 – 30 years, but the lifespan and condition of any lot depend on many factors. Let’s take a look at the various kinds of damage and repairs, and when you should replace a lot entirely.

The Types of Asphalt Damage

Cracking
Cracking can take many forms, including shrinkage, widening, edge cracks, slippage, alligator cracks, and reflection. Cracks are caused by many different factors, such as water penetration, oxidation from the sun, freezing, and thawing, and poor initial construction. Even the most minor cracks should be sealed as soon as possible, as small cracks can grow into bigger problems. Water or other debris can settle inside, causing the crack to grow, softening the base, and further threatening the integrity of the pavement. Larger cracks may be a warning sign of deeper issues.

Rutting
Rutting is when the pavement shows depressions, or grooves, from wear and tear caused by wheel loads. Ruts can be dangerous, leading to vehicles hydroplaning (from ponded water) that can result in loss of driver control. They can also be a result of deeper sub-soil or design problems, and lead to further deterioration. Ruts less than ⅓ inch deep can generally be left as is, but deeper ruts should be leveled and resurfaced.

When It’s Time To Repair

Crack Sealing
Crack sealing is exactly what it sounds like – filling small cracks to prevent further damage. Cracks that are straight or less than a quarter-inch wide can easily be repaired with a liquid filler. Before sealcoating or resurfacing, all cracks and existing damage must be repaired, so crack sealing is the first step towards further repair and necessary ongoing maintenance responsibility. A yearly schedule of crack sealing is best to prolong the life of your lot.

Seal Coating
After you’ve filled any cracks, you can apply a layer of sealcoating. Sealant keeps the lot looking new and prevents corrosion from a variety of elements, including water, oxidation, UV rays, and oil and gas spills. The ideal time to seal asphalt pavement is when deterioration is first discovered. A new asphalt lot should not be sealed until it is at least 6 months old, and should be resealed every 2 – 4 years, depending on weather and amount of traffic.

Resurfacing (aka overlaying)
Resurfacing, also known as overlaying, adds a new layer of asphalt, generally 1.5 – 2 inches in depth, on top of the older one. If done right, a new layer of asphalt can add 8 – 15 years to your current lot and costs less than a full replacement. All cracks and damage to the old layer need to be repaired before resurfacing, as un-repaired cracks will undermine the new layer. Resurfacing in cold weather can lead to premature deterioration, so the rule of thumb is to pave when temperatures are 50° F and above. Just because a lot is showing serious wear and tear and cracking, that doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced. Resurfacing is a great option to improve the condition of your lot without spending a lot of money.

Mill and Resurface
Resurfacing sometimes is not an option due to existing drainage patterns. When this is an issue milling and resurfacing may be a viable choice. Milling the surface involves the removal of the top layer of asphalt (usually 1” to 1.5”). Once the asphalt is removed, it is then replaced with a new layer of asphalt. Though this is one of the more expensive repairs, the quality of the final product and the service life can rival that of a new parking lot.

When It’s Time to Replace
Sometimes, a parking lot is beyond the point where even resurfacing will help. The answer to whether you should repair or replace essentially comes down to the condition of the lot’s base. Resurfacing is only as good as the surface it is layered on top of. If your parking lot is failing due to an underlying design, structural, sub-soil, or construction issue, none of the resurfacing options listed above will solve the problem in the long term. Though the parking lot will initially look better, the “repair” will be short-lived.

If a parking lot is approaching 20 years of age, or if 25-35% of the total surface area is in need of removal due to significant damage, it is generally more economical and effective to completely reconstruct the parking lot. With proper maintenance, your new lot can last another 20 – 30 years.

Proper evaluation and recommendations are critical to avoid any financial missteps in getting your parking lot back on-line.

Article Source: https://www.gleassociates.com/repair-or-replace-what-to-do-about-your-aging-asphalt-parking-lot/