Set your parking operation up for success this year and for many years to come.

13 min read

Over the past two years, the parking and mobility industry has had a chance to

reimagine how parking operations should function. Whether from a health and safety perspective, touchless mobility, or convenience perspective, the innovation of parking solutions has excelled in enhancing end-user experiences and making parking easier to manage.

The new year is an optimal time to begin exploring the latest solutions that will improve the performance of your parking portfolio. We've summarized the parking and mobility industries' most innovative solutions—some big and some small— for 2022.  

Check out these top 22 necessities you should consider for your parking operation in 2022:

1.     Virtual customer service for agile operations.

In 2022, the parking and mobility industry will be focused on simplifying the end-user experience. Thanks to virtual customer service, you will be able to achieve just that. Virtual assistance allows customers to receive immediate support from any of your devices on a 24/7 basis—providing you peace of mind and quality service at a fraction of the cost associated with onsite parking attendants.

2.     Pay-as-you-go parking permits for flexible return to work schedules.

The traditional workday has evolved into one that offers employees flexibility, convenience, and choice. So why not offer permits that mimic that? Pay-as-you-go permits provide your customer's options based on their distinct needs, all while securing customer loyalty and recurring revenue streams.

3.     App-free scan-to-pay methods for both gated and non-gated systems. 

Between a large number of apps available, the amount of storage space required, and constant presence via notifications, there is no doubt that mobile app fatigue is very much a genuine concern. But what if your customers were able to skip the commitment without sacrificing speed? Well, they can. Mobile scan-to-pay platforms have become a preferred mode of payment, as they offer all the same fantastic functionalities without needing to download an app.

4.     Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for a strong online search presence.

Everything starts online in today's day and age, including the parking experience. As a parking operator, your primary goal is to ensure your parking lot is visible– and this includes online. Utilizing various digital marketing tactics associated with search engine optimization (SEO) will help you develop a solid online presence where customers can easily access information about your parking lot.

5.     Location pins on every online map and in-car navigation system for greater audience capture.

Local SEO puts your facility in front of potential visitors. Enabling location pins on every online map and in-car navigation system is an affordable add-on that will ensure you are capturing all ends of the market, appealing to every audience, and increasing location awareness.

6.     Barcode scanners or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) readers for the countless doors they open.

Integrating barcode scanners with your existing parking technology is an easy way to begin accepting digital permits, payment flexibility, validations, and reservations in the form of a QR code or barcode. With Bluetooth Low Energy readers (BLE), access to your gated parking facilities will be possible without having to do anything except turn the mobile Bluetooth on. This software enables easy access to your parking facility and encourages a frictionless experience for your customers.

7.     Connecting parking reservations to third-party reservations for customers who prefer to plan. 

In one way or another, parking plays an integral role in our everyday. Whether to attend an event, commute to work, or go for dinner, we all park at some point during the day. So what if you could reserve parking while planning your day? For example, parking could be booked simultaneously as making a reservation at a restaurant, purchasing concert tickets, or booking a flight. Dynamic reservations as such are all possible with platforms such as Parkedin.

8.     Mobile permits, validations and reservations for safer, easier and faster parking experiences.

In today’s day and age, smartphones have become a personal necessity and an integral part of the customer journey. So why not allow customers to pay, reserve or validate parking on one mobile application? This is where software such as Precise ParkLink’s ±Ê²¹°ù°ì±ð»å¾±²Ôâ„¢ app comes into play.

9.     Accessible parking pay stations for equal opportunity, ease and convenience.

The world is evolving, and parking equipment should be too. Accessible pay stations provide equal opportunity for your customers, help your organization meet best practices, and contribute to the greater good of our society and country. Integrating accessible parking technology into your parking infrastructure in 2022 will help ensure that your organization can provide an effortless customer experience for all visitors you welcome to your facility.

10.  Last-mile solutions that make for a destination rather than simply a parking lot.

In 2022, your parking facility can become so much more than just a place to park- it can transform into a mobility hub that can secure revenue that spans far beyond parking. Offering various last-mile solutions that will help you transform your parking real estate can help you capitalize on low occupancy rates and raise location awareness.

11.  Parking guidance systems for dynamic pricing opportunities. 

Parking guidance systems can enable you to determine dynamic pricing and rates for your facility based on vehicle information, occupancy data, and the parking behaviour of your customers. You no longer have to develop your pricing model on a whim. Now parking guidance systems can help you make price adjustments that work with the market.  

12.  License plate recognition for rich data and analytics.

License plate recognition technology is still seen as a new or premium solution. Why? Because advancements in this technology can help you take your facility one step further to complete automation. The system provides a wealth of knowledge into the performance of your facility and can also be used as a means to determine dynamic pricing models.

13.  Parking management dashboards that combine business intelligence live central monitoring and control for ultimate parking management service.

Investing in a business intelligence tool that functions as a central management platform will allow you to successfully manage and control your parking portfolio with access to a wealth of data insights, real-time system performance, and live control over the technology onsite.

This type of end-to-end parking management platform, such as Precise ParkLink’s ±Ê²¹°ù°ì³§³Ü¾±³Ù±ðâ„¢, will enable you to manage and control your entire parking portfolio from one place.

14.  Electric vehicle (EV) charging technology that connects to your parking technology for fluid parking journeys.

Parking technology has come a long way, and it will only continue to evolve as we head into 2022. Today, property managers are looking to invest in EV solutions that connect to their existing parking systems. Tapping into open-source software allows customers to reserve or pay for EV charging and parking services all at once.

15.  Mobile parking platform that connects to your entire building infrastructure for ultimate tenant convenience.

Today, society is fuelled by connectivity. Connecting your building app to your parking infrastructure allows your tenants to plan their day and get around easier using one platform and one credential—their smartphone. For example, your mobile parking reservation and access platform could also be used as a credential for door access, elevator and boardroom bookings. This is all possible with platforms such as Parkedin.  

16.  Touchless wave-to-enter for gated parking systems.

In addition to health and safety, touchless mobility offers a level of ease, convenience, and accessibility that premium destinations aspire to attain. Implementing technologies such as wave-to-enter gated parking systems reduces physical touchpoints and increases traffic flow throughout your facilities.

17.  Prepaid parking permits for an additional revenue stream.

Prepaid parking permits are a creative way to generate parking revenue. Think of them as a gift card for 5, 10, 15 or 30 days of parking that do not expire and are not associated with account details. They can be programmed to work across all your locations, providing the ultimate flexible choice for customers that requires them to pay upfront.

18.  Scan-for-assistance for effective parking operations without onsite staff.

What do virtual and scan-for-assistance have in common? Providing immediate support to your visitors. Installing mobile scan-for-assistance solutions give your visitors a one-of-a-kind, immediate self-serve option and instant assistance onsite.

19.  Parking lot and stall leasing opportunities for events, businesses and filmmakers.

You would be surprised by the number of businesses and filmmakers looking for facilities, like yours, to house their projects. Opening your facility to these opportunities will add a revenue stream and help put your facilities on the map. Start by creating an online presence, and you will see the traffic and online buzz start to roll in.

20.  Parking pay stations with digital advertising opportunities for additional revenue streams.

There are more ways to add a revenue stream to your parking facility than you may expect—including displaying digital ads on your pay stations. If applicable, these subtle yet significant advertising opportunities allow you to promote your own business or sell advertising space to others. Leveraging all communication platforms will help you monetize all facets of your facility.

21.  Debit payment acceptance on your mobile payment platform for more choice.

Offering more choices for your customers means more sales potential for you. As many Canadians prefer to pay by debit, integrating this form of payment on your mobile payment platform will allow you to reach every end of the market.

22.  Signage strategically placed for effective customer transitions from online to offline navigations. 

Signage is an integral component of successful parking programs. Installing visible and directional signage in appropriate locations is critical for easy navigation and seamless traffic flow throughout your parking facility. A visible online presence and effective parking signage

prove just how online and offline mechanisms work together to attract customers to your parking facility and entice them to return. 

A new year brings with it new opportunities. Exploring the parking and mobility industries' latest management, hardware and software solutions will help equip your programs to meet and exceed today's parking needs.

References

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Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (2021, October 15). Three reasons why you need to invest in live central monitoring - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from /news/3-reasons-why-you-need-to-invest-in-live-central-monitoring.

Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (2021, October 15). 5 ways to maximize your parking revenue & location - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from /news/5-ways-to-maximize-your-parking-revenue-and-location-search-visibility-digital-adaptation-through-covid-19-and-beyond.

Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (2021, November 18). The future of digital access is upon US - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from /ps-parking-subscription-management.

Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (2021, November 3). Maintaining safe customer journeys with safety signage - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from /news/maintaining-safe-customer-journeys-with-safety-signage.

Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (2021, November 18). 8 reasons why LPR needs to make its way into your parking budget - precise parklink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from /news/6-reasons-why-lpr-needs-to-make-its-way-into-your-parking-budget.

Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (2021, November 15). 6 reasons why property managers should invest in electric vehicle charging stations - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from /news/charging-the-future-with-smart-ev-chargers?rq=ev+chargers.

Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. (2021, July 13). The importance of debit payment acceptance at your facility - precise ParkLink: Parking management services. Precise ParkLink | Parking Management Services. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from /news/the-importance-of-debit-payment-acceptance-at-your-facility?rq=debit.