Speed Limit & Shared Zone Signs for Workplaces & Car Parks

Vehicles and pedestrians sharing the same space is one of the most persistent risk factors in Australian workplaces. Car parks, warehouse yards, loading areas and private roads all create situations where a slow-moving forklift or delivery truck can still cause serious injury. Well-placed speed limit signs and shared zone signs are among the simplest and most visible controls available — they set clear expectations for every driver entering your site before any incident has a chance to occur. This guide covers what each sign type communicates, where they belong, how to choose the right materials, and how speed signage fits into a broader on-site traffic management approach.

What is a speed limit sign?

A speed limit sign is the familiar red-circle-on-white sign that displays the maximum permitted speed in km/h for the area beyond it. On Australian public roads they are regulated by AS 1742 (Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices); on private workplace property — car parks, depots, warehouses, mine sites, construction yards — businesses can post the same red-circle format at any limit they choose (commonly 5 km/h, 10 km/h or 20 km/h) to manage vehicle movements safely.

Shared zone signs are the close cousin: a blue panel reading “Shared Zone” with a 10 km/h speed limit, used where vehicles and pedestrians share the same space and pedestrians have priority. This guide covers when to use each, the AS 1742 context, the material and reflectivity choices that suit Australian conditions, and how speed signage fits inside a workplace traffic management plan.

Speed Limit Signs vs Shared Zone Signs

These two sign types are related but communicate different things. Understanding the distinction helps you choose the right sign for each location.

Speed limit signs state a maximum speed in kilometres per hour — typically 5, 10 or 20 km/h on private property. They apply to all vehicles in the marked zone and are particularly common at site entries, internal laneways and near loading bays. Unlike public road speed limits, on-site speed limits are set by the property controller rather than a road authority, so there is flexibility to set limits appropriate to the hazard level.

Shared zone signs go a step further. They signal that vehicles and pedestrians use the same physical space — rather than a defined lane structure — and that drivers must give way to people on foot. A 5 km/h shared zone sign is the most common on-site variant, used in tight warehouse interiors, covered loading areas and multi-use car parks where physical separation of foot traffic and vehicles is impractical. A 10 km/h sign suits open yards and external car parks where speeds remain low but there is more space between people and vehicles.

Browse the full range of car park and traffic signs or road safety signs to find the speed limit and shared zone signs suited to your site.

Where On-Site Speed Signs Belong

Effective placement gets your signs seen at the moment they matter — when a driver is making a speed or behaviour decision. Common locations include:

• Site entry points: The first sign a driver encounters sets expectations. Post the site speed limit and any shared zone designation at every vehicle entry.
• Car park entries and level transitions: Speed naturally increases in open car parks. Repeat signage at ramp entrances and at each level where pedestrians and vehicles converge.
• Loading dock approaches: High pedestrian activity around loading docks makes low-speed signage essential. Consider a 5 km/h shared zone sign on the approach lane.
• Warehouse interior laneways: Forklifts and pedestrians routinely share these spaces. A warehouse forklift safety plan should include speed limit signs at every aisle entry and at pedestrian crossing points.
• Pedestrian crossings: Where marked crossings exist, reinforce them with speed and give-way signage on both the approach and the crossing itself.
• Construction and yard areas: Heavier vehicle movements make construction site signage including site speed limits a baseline requirement.

Choosing the Right Sign: Materials, Sizes and Reflectivity

On-site speed signs are exposed to vehicle wash, UV, rain and low-light conditions. Choosing the right substrate and reflectivity grade affects both legibility and longevity.

• Metal / aluminium (non-reflective): The standard substrate for private workplace roads, car parks and yards. Rigid, UV-stable and suitable for permanent installations at site entries and car park levels where signs only need to be read in daylight.
• Class 1 reflective aluminium: The Australian Standard (AS 1742) for public roads. On private workplace property, reflective sheeting is only required where the sign genuinely needs to be visible at night — early morning starts, night shifts or undercover areas where lighting is variable. If your site only operates during daylight hours, non-reflective metal signs are perfectly adequate.
• Corflute: A lightweight, lower-cost option suited to temporary applications — short-term construction phases, event car parks or areas subject to layout changes. Not recommended as a permanent solution in high-UV or high-traffic environments.
• Size: 450×600 mm is the typical workplace size for outdoor post-mounted speed and shared-zone signs at site entries and car park levels. Smaller formats suit internal warehouse walls and low-ceiling loading areas where mounting height is limited. If in doubt, order a custom-size sign to match your post or wall mount.

Speed Limits and Traffic Management Plans

For workplaces with significant vehicle movements, a formal traffic management plan (TMP) is worth considering. AS 1742 — the Australian Standard for the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices — provides a reference framework for traffic control signage and road markings, and is frequently cited in state-based guidance for workplaces and construction sites.

Private property speed limits differ from public road limits in an important way: they are set by the property controller (typically the employer or site manager) rather than a road authority. This means you can set a 5 km/h limit in a tight loading area without waiting for a council order — but it also means enforcement relies on internal policies, induction processes and visible signage rather than police enforcement.

A TMP typically documents entry and exit points, internal traffic routes, speed limits at each zone, pedestrian crossing locations, and any time-based rules (e.g. speed restrictions during shift changes). The car park traffic signs guide covers the broader suite of signage that supports a traffic management plan in car parks and multi-use areas.

Signage requirements vary by state and territory. Always consult your local WHS regulator and seek professional advice when developing a TMP for your site.

Workplace Speed Signage Checklist