If you are like most places in the country today, there are only so many parking spaces to go around. With more and more people driving, these spaces are at a premium and they need to be protected for the visitors and tenants that they were intended for. Gone are the days when people could easily find a coveted spot, no matter what day or night they arrived. In addition, cars need to be kept save and the lot free from intruders. This is why parking control systems have evolved over the years, and they are now available in several different structures that allow parking to be both safe and convenient once again.
The Purpose of Parking Control Equipment
If you manage a parking lot or large garage, you may very well find that you need to have a way to restrict the access to your lot. This might be over concern that the individuals who need to park there actually find a space when they need it, or to generate the revenue needed to sustain the lot in the first place. Whatever the reason might be, you will need some quality parking control equipment to get the job done effectively for you.
This equipment will help lots become more secure, and they can operate as the barricades that you need to keep vehicles in certain location and away from restricted areas within the lot or garage. Technological advances in this area have also made it possible to enable the equipment to effectively track all vehicles that enter and exit the lot. As a lot owner or manager, you can also set up passback restrictions, collect tolls, and even have the equipment generate reports that help you manage your monthly intake.
Many System Types Are Available
Gone are the days when a mechanism to control parking consisted of a gate manually controlled by a guard. There are a variety of systems available today, any of which do not even require a human operator standing by to assist drivers. For controlled lots that allow only internally approved vehicles, an access control pedestal is a great option design to keep unauthorized cars and truck off the lot. Individuals would have their own key card or access card to gain entry.
For lots and garages that are designed to generate revenue, one can add an entry or exit box to the access control pedestal. This will generate a ticket that guests will then use to pay for time that they have parked in the lot. This can either be done electronically upon exit, or with a human operator available to accept payment. A barrier gate is also effective at keeping vehicles off a lot or from entering a garage. These are automated today and can be triggered by a senor, key pad entry, or access. The options really are endless.
Intercom Systems
For lots that need to be even more secure, intercom system provides a great option. Individuals can buzz an attendant to indicate their arrival. That person, and that person alone, can grant access to the lot. This is used in conjunction with a barrier gate. It eliminates having to place a physical guard at every entry point throughout the garage or lot. This makes it a convenient and safe option, which is obviously the key. Modern technology has eliminated the need for a great deal of manpower to keep a lot safe, while access and surveillance systems do much of the work. The key is to create an equitable system whereby individuals who need a place to park can find one. At the same time, many lots need to have a way to earn money, and such systems make it virtually impossible for new arrivals to cheat the system and get out of the lot without paying. The honor box type of payment system will become obsolete as a result.
If you are the manager or owner of a lot, you really cannot afford to be without the safety and convenience of an access control system. Get one today and watch your productivity increase as a result.