Why Should You Choose LPR for Your Parking System?

In the not-so-distant past, parking gates were seen as the solution for Parking operators seeking a break from full-time attendants while ensuring drivers wouldn't escape without paying.

However, the landscape is evolving rapidly as parking facility owners are ditching gates for gateless solutions, aiming to slash operating costs, keep customers smiling, and boost their revenue. 

License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems are making waves with their growing popularity and increasing sophistication, but you might be wondering if it's the right move for you.

Let's dive into the perks an LPR-based system can deliver.

Why is LPR the game-changer for Parking Facility Owners?

LPR technology, integrated into (gated or gateless) parking systems, propels parking facilities into the future for two main reasons: 

1. These systems use the license plate as vehicle and customer identification, making control, monitoring and billing operations much easier, faster, more secure and integrated with other systems. 

2. If the right technology is chosen, the license plate is captured instantaneously and with high accuracy as the vehicle approaches the gate; it does not require human intervention.

The result is a Parking system that recognizes, registers, monitors and starts transactions on the vehicle as soon as it approaches the gate, without any other physical interaction or objects such as tickets; then, as the customer identification and transaction are already on the system, payment and enforcement operations are much faster and flexible than before.

These two facts alone represent a whole new level of benefits for parking operators, such as:

Lowering Operational Expenses

LPR-based systems offer the opportunity to eliminate or reduce the costs associated with traditional gated systems, such as trigger mechanisms, ticket machines, network infrastructure, and dedicated personnel.

More advanced LPR equipment, such as Survision LPR Cameras, represents additional savings on LPR servers and associated network infrastructure since these cameras perform the License Plate Recognition by themselves, transmitting digital license plate data directly to the barrier and/or the PARCS.

Smoother Customer Experience

LPR systems offer multiple benefits to drivers, with convenience taking center stage. Seamless entry and exit, coupled with automated payments, lets your customers park without the hassle of ticket worries or credit card swiping.

Reduced Traffic, Easy Entry & Exit

Check for yourself the difference in the speed at entries and exits without and with LPR-based systems. Now do the math.

LPR solutions streamline the arrival and departure process, eliminating the need for drivers to stop and interact with ticket machines; it means no more frustrating delays, especially during peak times or due to malfunctioning gate systems.

We recently compared the traditional system Vs. an LPR-based system in terms of the time a vehicle takes to get in/out of the Parking, and these were the results:

• Entry: LPR turned out to be 3.4X Faster (7.95 seconds) for monthly parkers. (Transients still have to take ticket)
• Exit: LPR was 5.2 X Faster (10.07 seconds) for everyone!

If you do the math and multiply these results by, let's say, 1000 daily operations, you get 2.79 hours saved. This means higher vehicle flow, which means more availability and, therefore, more revenue.

No More Lost Tickets

LPR eliminates the stress of tracking parking tickets, as all vehicles are tracked by scanning their license plates. When they exit, their rentals end automatically, ensuring a worry-free driver experience.

Enhanced Security

LPR cameras meticulously record vehicle entries and exits, maintaining a comprehensive log of vehicle data and accompanying camera footage. LPR systems can integrate with law enforcement organizations for instant cross reference and alert triggering.

Decrease Violators through Automated Enforcement

LPR cameras, coupled with on-the-ground LPR Parking Inventory and enforcement, work in tandem to boost compliance rates. Each vehicle entering your property equipped with an LPR system is scanned, and the license plate number is interpreted to initiate the appropriate response. For violators, enforcement teams are alerted promptly, ensuring a swift and effective resolution.

Convenient Payment Options

New LPR-based PARCS help drivers pay quickly and conveniently on their own devices, avoiding the hassle of interacting with unfamiliar kiosks or making lines at the exit gate. LPR systems enhance the experience by automating check-ins and check-outs, making each visit seamless.

There is no doubt that compared to traditional parking gates, LPR-based PARCS offers heightened security, robust oversight, reduced operating costs, and a premium parking experience for drivers – translating to increased return traffic and, ultimately, more revenue. If you're considering how LPR technology could benefit your parking facility, contact us today to learn more!

About SURVISION 

SURVISION is a global leader in License Plate Reading (LPR). Since 2001, with solutions being deployed in over 50 countries with more than 50,000 cameras thanks to a network of 900 Value Added Integrators. The quality of its R&D team allows SURVISION to work with world-class integrators for a complete set of innovative solutions for Smart-City, Smart-Parking, law enforcement, toll road collection, car-park management, and for local authorities.