ANALYZING THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SIGNS TO INCREASE THE OPPORTUNITY OF DESIGNATED VAN ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES

Abstract

Designated van accessible parking spaces are often occupied by non-ramp or lift equipped vehicles (NRLEV) with accessible parking permits. This causes inconvenience, safety concerns, and reduced opportunity of parking spaces for ramp or lift equipped vehicles (RLEV). The researcher conducted a study to obtain social validity using mixed methods including a focus group with RLEV users and brief interviews with NRLEV users to validate if this was a problem worth addressing. To learn more about this issue, the researchers conducted a multi-component analysis across settings with imbedded reversal single subject design. The purpose of the multi-component analysis was to examine a differential comparison between the standard van sign versus intervention signs (pictorial representation of a ramp-equipped van plus messages), to determine which is more effective to signal NRLEV users not to park in designated van accessible spaces. The reversal design was used to test and validate the most effective intervention sign effects identified during the multi-component analysis. The results based on observations showed that the interventions signs could moderately reduce the chances of NRLEV users parking in the designated van accessible parking spaces. Implications of these research findings are discussed and recommendations for changes in state and national accessible parking policies are suggested.