The Ultimate Guide to Parking Control Systems and Their Integration

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When it comes to optimizing parking lot design, ensuring effective controlled parking is key. While parking control may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to optimizing commercial or public parking spaces, it plays a vital role in managing traffic circulation and ensuring safety. From parking signs to speed bumps, it is important to have a clear and defined parking control strategy to improve parking lot design, enhance customer and employee experience, and maximize available space. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of parking control and how it can transform the parking experience.

What Is a Parking Control System?

The primary purpose of a parking management system is to help people, companies, and organizations manage their parking spaces efficiently. Different contexts where it can be applied are residential, commercial, and institutional settings. Managing car parks can be challenging due to traffic, availability of spaces, and administrative overhead. A parking management system assists in reducing the impact of parking spaces on the local community. Businesses, corporate organizations, offices, municipalities, and educational institutions use parking software.

10 Benefits of Parking Control

1. Space Optimization & Enhanced User Experience

By strategically optimizing parking spots, parking control systems minimize congestion, enhance overall space efficiency, and foster a higher turnover rate, ultimately driving additional revenue for clients. Prioritizing intuitive solutions that allow drivers to easily locate available spaces also provides a positive user experience.

2. Increased Revenue Generation

Parking control services contribute to increased income, which can be reinvested for facility maintenance and improvements without upfront costs to the client.

3. Improved Traffic Flow

Professional parking control systems significantly improve traffic flow, reducing congestion through clearly designated entry and exit points, professional signage, and ANPR solutions.

4. Enhanced Security Measures

Parking control services prioritize the safety and security of parking areas through advanced surveillance systems, adequate lighting, and restricted access.

5. Environmental Impact

By minimizing the time spent searching for parking spaces, parking control systems contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions.Incorporating solar car park solutions and electric vehicle charging bays promotes clean energy practices within parking facilities.

6. Compliance and Regulation

Parking control services ensure that parking facilities adhere to regulations, maintaining a well-regulated parking environment for staff, customers, visitors, and the local community.

7. Data-Driven Decision Making

Innovative parkIing control systems generate valuable data, facilitating informed decision-making based on usage patterns and peak hours.

8. Efficient Maintenance Strategies

Controlled parking environments allow for targeted and efficient maintenance efforts by identifying high-traffic zones or areas prone to wear and tear.

9. Positive Brand Image

Comprehensive parking control services contribute to building a positive brand image for clients, creating a favorable impression among visitors and customers.

10. Cost & Resource Efficiencies

Utilizing parking control management services reduces costs and staffing resources involved in managing parking facilities independently, saving time and resources. Professional enforcement services deter unauthorized parking and obstructions, promoting compliance and eliminating negative parking behaviors.

Simplifying Parking Operations with Parqour

Parqour is a software platform that simplifies parking operations and improves the customer experience. It offers real-time data, automated plate recognition, and contactless payments. Operating in more than 22 countries and over 300 parking areas, Parqour offers a comprehensive end-to-end management platform to increase revenue, reduce operational costs, and enhance transparency.

Control all operations from one platform and say goodbye to piecing together different vendors and integrations, with no need for bulky hardware. Contactless parking and online payment methods make the parking experience easier for customers, resulting in higher utilization and lower operating costs.

Book a free demo to learn how Parqour can shift your parking operation into top gear!

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4 Essential Components of a Parking Control System

1. Payment Method

The preferred mode of payment for a car parking management system must be determined by the users due to the number of payment automation and technologies available. The chosen payment method is dependent on the use case.

For example, staff parking will be levied differently from commercial parking. Staff park payments are better processed digitally for ease of access while commercial parks can either be processed digitally or manually for reconciliation purposes. The payments required in a staff car park may be based on violations and imposed levies, while those in commercial cases will be required for all users.

2. Parking Enforcement Options

Enforcement is a necessary tool for managing and maintaining a car parking area. Used with the park operator’s chosen payment system, enforcement options allow drivers to access allocated spaces easily. Enforcement improves the flow of traffic and potentially increases the use of alternative means of transport for staff members who can’t get available parking spots.

Parking enforcement includes ticket issuance, lot numbering for easy navigation, and notification of current parking availability to users. The impact of a company’s parking traffic on the local community can therefore be greatly reduced and the safety of pedestrians within the community ensured.

3. Access Controls

Access controls are otherwise known as car park entry systems. They are important for ensuring the efficient use of parking software. They essentially permit the entry of drivers who have a confirmed booking, while those who don’t have booking confirmations are denied entry. The rate of users being turned back at the entrance can be reduced with the aid of notifications and booking confirmations.

4. Reporting

Reporting is one of the most important features of car parking software. It allows car park operators and companies to track their facilities, vehicle entry, and real-time reporting of the availability of parking spots. This helps companies manage their parks in a central digital hub offered with parking software.

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How Do Parking Control Systems Work

What is PARCS?

PARCS, or parking access and revenue control systems, are the backbone of any parking operation. They are computerized parking systems that allow owners and operators to control access and collect parking revenue from users. Depending on the property owner’s needs, they are highly customizable with varying levels of functionality and complexity.

Revenue Control Systems

Revenue control systems are a component of PARCS used for managing and auditing payments of transient and non-transient parkers in a car park or facility. This type of technology collects payment for parking and involves two types of users:

Transient

A user who pays for parking on a short-term basis rather than parking access for an extended period. An example would be 2-hour parking rather than a month or semester.

Non-transient

Parkers that use a permit or some sort of credential to park on an ongoing basis.

PARCS Basic Components

Barriers

A gate or pole that lowers to block vehicle access through a controlled entry or exit point.

Alarms

System-generated messages that indicate potential problems with equipment or operational rules that have been broken.

Entry/Exit Stations

An in-lane cashier station or terminal at the facility’s entry or exit point that can be used to collect payment for parking. This can include a ticket or any other item that indicates the time of entry or validity of a vehicle.

Pay stations

Systems that accept and validate tickets, calculate parking fees, accept and process payments, and issue and print receipts upon request. The two types of pay stations include Pay on Foot (POF) and Pay in Lane (PIL).

PARCS software

Computers and software are required to administer and supply real-time, accurate parking and revenue control systems reports. All software and integrated technology must communicate with the same network to collect and register data to provide centralized reporting.

What Are Parking Guidance Systems?

PGS, or parking guidance systems, are an advanced form of car counting. This vehicle detection technology gives drivers real-time visibility of available parking spaces, providing dynamic data that facilitates vehicular circulation within a parking lot. PGS components can change depending on the use case, but the central concept includes

Signage

parking signs are a core part of helping users find an open space. They also provide information at entry and throughout the car park.

Detectors

technology that indicates if there is a car occupying a given space.

Indicators

an LED light or dynamic sign that indicates an available parking spot to drivers.

Parking access control system

the central hub where information is gathered and distributed to different components. It collects data on cars and available parking spots, passing it on to signs and drivers.

Network link

the system’s connection that gathers and communicates accurate and reliable data in real-time.

The 5 Types of Parking Control Systems

1. Office Centric Parking Control Systems

Office parking processes were dysfunctional and companies adapted parking management systems from big hardware suppliers to solve their problems and manage their car spots. These were not fit for purpose and have led to large parking problems including security concerns, obstructive parking, and unallocated spots in many companies.

Currently, office-centric parking solutions otherwise known as employee parking software are the fastest-growing segment of parking management software. Companies can increase the capacity of parking lots, without increasing the number of spaces they have. Administrative overheads and capital outlay also decrease as offices move towards full automation.

2. Residential Parking Control Systems

The parking experience at many residential and multi-family complexes has been dysfunctional for a long time. Who owns what space? Where can guests park? How can visitors get through the barrier? For a long time it has been an area that generally delivered a sub-standard experience.

Luckily for property managers & owners residential parking management systems are growing in popularity. For good reason too, they can make all residential parking problems disappear in a few clicks of a button. Automating guest parking bookings, payments, managing space allocation, and digitizing entry & exit are just some of the popular benefits of solutions in this space.

3. Manual Parking Control Systems

This is the most basic type of car park management system. It is the traditional “man in a hut” who keeps an eye on who goes in and comes out. You find these operations in low-tech environments. For reasons best known to the park’s management, they are looking to keep a cash operation. A staff member accepts payment from motorists as they enter and exit the garage.

The individual also issues a manual piece of paper to check entry and exit. This role will also supervise the car park to make sure no one is staying longer than they should be. They’ll keep a track of all this in a big ledger or on a computer. This is a very resource-intensive system with a large margin for error and corruption. The manual record-keeping process may lack documentation and allow for corrupt staff members to keep part of the proceeds for themselves.

4. Hardware Focused Parking Control Systems

Pay-to-use car parks are generally run by car park operators. Operators prefer managing their parks using expensive pieces of hardware to control payment and access to their parking spaces. Motorists only gain entry into the park via large barriers. An issued ticket is the only proof needed to enter the parking lot.

Before departure, drivers need to pay at a pay station for the length of their stay. A local staff member will often be stationed at the park in case of any difficulties. The hardware has a backend that reports on occupancy and revenue generation.

5. Software Focused Parking Control Systems

Consumers are looking for smoother parking experiences while park managers are looking to reduce upfront capital cost on parking equipment. Software-focused parking management solutions offer these functionalities and more. Companies like Parkpnp are driving this digital revolution. Online payments and self-service booking make it easier to book a space at car parks that are fitted with such systems.

These are some of the features offered by digital parking solutions:

Drivers pay using their smartphones, credit cards, and direct debits.

Overstay and illegal parking can be monitored by the software and reported via an app.

Entry & exit to the park lots can be linked directly to smartphones or license plates.

Real-time reporting park occupancy gives users access to insights instantly.

Car parks are slowly migrating from hardware focus to a digital focus. Although, hybrid parking management systems, a mix of both hardware and digital models are in common use.

Integrating Parking Lot Gate Control Systems With Existing Security

Automated Gate Entry

Parking gate control systems can be configured for specific entry or exit requirements, allowing only authorized vehicles to enter or exit the lot, preventing unauthorized intrusion. Barcodes scanning integration can make the entry and exit process more efficient.

Automated Lighting

Parking control systems can automate lighting in parking lots, increasing visibility and deterring criminal activity. Lights can switch on as soon as someone enters the lot or when motion is detected by a sensor.

Time and Attendance Monitoring

Parking lot access control systems can monitor time and attendance for office parking facilities. When integrated with identity providers and HR software, the system can track who is entering and exiting at what times. This can offer valuable insights for parking lot zoning and traffic optimization, especially in large commercial parking lots.

Security Cameras

By connecting security cameras to parking lot entry and exit control systems, an additional layer of security contributes to better situational awareness. This setup allows law enforcement or security personnel to monitor activity in case of any suspicious behavior. Visual verification of all access activity at the gates is improved with integrated parking gate control and video security.

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Why Parking Controls and Lot Layout Design Matter

Having an effective parking control system is essential for managing the flow of traffic, ensuring safety, and optimizing space within a parking lot. The layout design of a parking lot plays a critical role in determining the most suitable parking control system for a property. Depending on the size and design of the parking lot, different access control technologies may be required to ensure smooth operations.

Designing Access Control Systems for Parking Lots

Key considerations for parking lot layout design include safety, accessibility, and the optimal use of space. A large parking lot with multiple entrances and exits needs a secure yet convenient access control system to manage traffic flow efficiently. In such cases, a keyless entry system with card readers or key fobs can be the best option. With this system, visitors can use authorized cards or key fobs to gain entry to the lot, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.

Tailoring Access Control Solutions for Parking Lot Size

On the other hand, a smaller parking lot with fewer daily users may require a more straightforward access control system, such as a keypad. This can help reduce costs while still providing adequate security for the lot. Parking gate control systems can help operators optimize different levels or zones within a parking garage or lot. By adding multiple parking gates and readers, operators can establish schedules for individual gates, designate specific parking spaces for visitors, and control access based on permissions.

Enhancing Security with Parking Gate Control Systems

Implementing a parking gate control system is crucial for preventing unauthorized access and ensuring the security of restricted parking spaces, especially in areas with high crime rates. By selecting the right parking control system and following best practices, property owners can ensure that their parking lots are secure and operationally efficient.

Simplify Your Parking Operations and Improve Your Customer Experience with Parqour －Book A Free Demo Today

Parqour is a software platform that simplifies parking operations and improves the customer experience. It offers real-time data, automated plate recognition, and contactless payments. We operate in more than 22 countries, 300+ parking areas, and have detected over 100M+ vehicles. Parqour offers a comprehensive end-to-end management platform to increase revenue, reduce operational cost and enhance transparency.

Say goodbye to piecing together different vendors and integrations. No need to spend huge capital on bulky hardware. Control all operations from one platform. Contactless parking and online payment methods make the parking experience easier for your customers too.

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