WPS: Navigating the Challenges of Barrierless Parking

Since its introduction the concept of barrierless parking has gained significant attention. Among all the new parking solutions, barrierless parking stands out as a noteworthy option that has captured the attention of parking operators.

Barrierless parking works in a similar way to road tolling, giving you the power to monitor your sites, and enforce compliance with time restrictions. However, before you take the plunge into implementing this system, there are some considerations that you need to be aware of. In this blog, we will discuss these limitations to help you make an informed decision.

Enforcement Concerns

A challenge that comes with barrierless parking is enforcement. Without physical barriers, alternative enforcement systems need to be established to ensure user compliance and to protect your revenue streams. As a dedicated parking operator, you need to invest in initial and ongoing enforcement measures. These are essential to ensure users follow time restrictions and make their payments promptly. This investment is significant, so you need a detailed cost-benefit analysis for your specific parking facility.

Inability to Pre-book Parking Spots

With barrierless parking the convenience of pre-booking parking spaces is lost. The ability to pre-book parking spaces helps users plan their day effectively and ensures that they will have a parking space when reaching their destination. This could pose a substantial inconvenience for users who rely on specific locations or precise time slots. As a parking operator, prioritizing user convenience and assessing the impact on your facility is essential before embracing barrierless parking.

Security Perception of Parking

The absence of physical barriers may raise concerns about security in barrierless parking systems. When less digitally savvy users are forced to pay for parking through complex digital payment methods, this might further enforce the feeling of insecurity. The responsibility for improving user safety and comfort within your parking facilities lies with parking operators like yourself, who need to take the initiative. This involves investing in security measures and providing support for users who may not be familiar with these technologies.

In conclusion

Barrierless parking holds immense potential for reducing congestion and enhancing efficiency in parking facilities. However, it's essential to acknowledge that it comes with certain limitations. Security and the ease of using digital payment methods are significant concerns, Furthermore, establishing a robust enforcement system is crucial to prevent a negative impact on your revenue.

While the advantages of barrierless parking are evident, these limitations should not be underestimated. As a parking operator, you should carefully consider the specific needs of your users, including their desire to pre-book parking spaces. By thoughtfully weighing these limitations against the potential benefits, you can make an informed decision about whether barrierless parking is the right solution for your parking facility.

5 points of consideration before implementing barrierless parking

• Revenue streams: Define what parking product you want to sell and align these with the use of a barrierless parking solution.
• Enforcement Strategy: Evaluate the cost and effectiveness of your enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance and protect revenue.
• User Convenience: Consider the impact on user convenience, especially the inability to pre-book parking spaces. If needed, find ways to mitigate these inconveniences.
• Security perception: Review measures to enhance user safety and alleviate concerns about security in a barrierless parking operation.
• Cost-benefit analysis: Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis to determine if the benefits of barrierless parking outweigh the limitations for your specific parking facility.

About WPS

Since its establishment in 1985, WPS Parking Solutions has grown from a local Dutch provider of parking systems into one of the world’s leading providers of cloud-based automated parking solutions. WPS’ mission is to create smart, reliable and future-proof parking solutions that are designed for today’s and tomorrow’s connected world.