Please Park Here: How new technology is benefitting the UK Parking Industry
Car parking is something that frustrates us all. Simply finding a spot can often be infuriating. But imagine a world where it’s even harder to pay too. Thankfully, that’s something we no longer have to think about with ticket machines and kiosks something we now take for granted.
Of course, technology continues to change as does the way we buy a ticket. Efficiency continues to make operational and economic sense, with some parking systems now cashless, leading to savings for both drivers and business.
Over the next few years we’re expecting the parking industry to continue to move towards a more automated system, particularly in busier towns and cities, resulting in more convenient and responsive experience which is good news for drivers in Exeter and the Southwest. There’s already plenty of new technology out there which is making parking easier but let’s take a closer look at the most significant recent advancements:
The Payment Kiosk
The payment kiosk still holds a vital role in speeding up transactions and, thanks to investment from a number of leading manufacturers, the UK is fast becoming one of the SMARTest innovators in Europe.
Companies like West Yorkshire-based Cammax are pioneering cutting-edge SMART parking payment machines that enable seamless contactless transactions and soon these kiosk, and others like it, will become omnipresent across Britain.
Parking industry leaders are keen to embrace SMART technologies in response to the growing trend for customers to pay using a variety of different methods but it’s a delicate balancing act.
Research highlights the generational gap between millennials and those ages 60+ with older customers more in favour of cash transactions so it’s unlikely we will see the end of all cash-based systems soon.
Instead, in 2018 and beyond, it’s likely we will see payment machines that incorporate a variety of transactional peripherals; contactless/apple pay features that cater to the young and cash- dispensing technology that seeks to appease the baby boomers.
Keeping Customer Experience High
We know that easy-to-use technology helps improve customer service but that’s not the only tactic being employed to keep customers happy. More and more reservation systems are being adopted by car parks, particularly at airports and around event spaces, making the whole process even more efficient.
Reservation systems remove any doubts customers may have when making their journey to the car park, whilst also providing peace of mind that their car is safe and where they left it.
These systems utilize licence plate recognition, eliminating the need for paper tickets and it’s a win- win with businesses also benefiting from reduced staff costs because there’s no need for a parking attendant.
Utilizing Data
Naturally, as systems and software became more intuitive, the possibilities to gather and utilize data become endless. In recent years, significant time and investment has been poured into analysing customer parking data; everything from studying length of stays to examining types of payment processing method.
The end result is new SMART systems being deployed that are able to help businesses make real-time decisions. For example, many companies are now adopting technology that allows for live pricing adjustment- car park bosses can now use information to increase prices when demand is high or create offers and incentives that are sent directly to customers to encourage usage when demand is low.
In the UK we’ve already seen this model practiced with great success- most notably with companies like UBER and it’s highly likely will see more of these SMART car parks in the coming years.
