Everything You Need to Know About Parking Control Systems

Are you thinking about starting a parking control system?

Well, it’s no secret that parking lots and garages are big business.

If you’re thinking about starting your own, then we know you’re looking for ways to cut costs and maximize your revenue at the same time.

Especially if you’re concerned about the costs of a full-time parking lot attendant, you may have already thought about parking control systems.

This will help you to get more people in your lot, while also ensuring that no one gets in or out without paying.

But what is a parking controller, and why does it matter for your lot?

Keep on reading this post to find out how these control systems work, as well as the advantages that they have to offer.

We’ll also cover the types of parking lot equipment you’ll need to start your business off on the right foot.

What Are Parking Access Control Systems?

Before we speak about the benefits of parking lot controls, let’s make sure that you’re clear on what they are.

Parking access control systems exist to manage the way that people can park their car in your lot or garage. They’re computerized systems that allow people to print and pay for their own tickets.

Most commonly, they make the lives of parking lot owners much easier through the use of an automatic gate that prevents people from entering a lot without first getting a ticket.

Be aware that there are lots of different kinds of parking access control systems.

You can choose a more traditional entry/exit station, which is especially helpful for those who want to avoid hiring a cashier or full-time attendant.

You can opt for a pay station, which allows drivers to park their vehicles, and then get out to pay for parking at a ticket machine inside the lot or garage.

There are barrier gates, PCI fee computers with ticket dispensers, and much more.

Do your research to determine which of these parking control systems is the best bet for your needs.

The Advantages of Parking Control Systems

Now, let’s take a closer look at just a few of the many advantages of using parking lot controls.

Of course, using parking control systems won’t help you to increase your SEO or digital marketing strategy (here’s more info on how to make that happen.)

However, it can help you to make the most out of the space that you have available in the parking lot. It will also make it easier for drivers to navigate around your lot.

Additionally, the right system will work to eliminate confusion associated with where a driver can park their specific type of car or van and for how long they can park in a certain space.

Parking control systems are also easily scalable, which means that, when you grow your lot, your software will be able to grow along with you.

Of course, it also makes it much easier for you to avoid missing collecting payment from someone who parked on your lot or in your garage.

If a parking barrier is down, they won’t exactly be able to sneak out without paying!

Equipment Needed for Parking Access Control

So, what sort of equipment will your parking control systems need?

As you might have expected, you’ll need quite a few barriers or gates in order to control who can get in — or out — of your lot or garage. You’ll also need to invest in an alarm.

After all, especially in a larger, multi-level parking lot, security is a major concern.

We also suggest investing in a few security cameras.

You’ll also need a ticket validator, as well as a magnetic stripe reader. This way, it will be easy for the machines to encode parking validations on the tickets that drivers are given when they enter your space.

The stripe reader can also help to process credit and debit card payments.

You’ll also need to invest in an encoding station. If you have a cashier in your lot, the encoding station is a kind of software that lets them make changes to rates, payment amounts, and more.

Don’t forget about sensor loops as well so that you can tell when someone is entering or exiting your station.

You’ll also need a lane controller, which is what triggers equipment to turn on or perform a function once a car has pulled into the entrance or exit of your space.

Finally, don’t forget to invest in some sort of a counting system. This way, you can alert drivers as soon as your lot becomes full. You may even be able to display the number of spaces your lot has left.

Ready to Invest in Parking Control Systems?

We hope that this post has helped you to better understand the advantages that parking control systems have to offer. Especially if you have a larger lot or garage, it can be almost impossible to manage it without some sort of computerized assistance.

Going with the right type of parking controller will ensure that your lot can handle even a heavy flow of entering and exiting cars.

Looking for more advice about how to properly manage your small business? Want to work with an engineer or construction estimator that can help you to install and set up your parking control systems?

If so, then use our online business database to help you.

Be sure to keep checking back with our blog for more business advice that will help make this your most profitable year ever.