Entry and Exit Control Systems

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Your Complete Guide to Parking Lot Entry and Exit Control Systems

Are you looking to install top-notch parking lot entry and exit control systems? Click here to learn how parking software works and how you can install it.

What are parking lot entry and exit control systems? These systems are comprised of device you'll see at the entrances of many parking lots. Generally this may include RFID card readers for monthly or employee parkers, kiosks where you press a button to get a ticket & barrier gate arms that open and close. Parking systems can also include advanced sensors, call for assistance intercoms, lot counters, dynamic signage, apps for payment, validation and reservations.


Parking systems with gates control access by raising or lowering the arms to prevent vehicles from entering or exiting a site unless authorized. Automated parking lot entry and exit control systems also reduce personnel costs, which impacts your bottom line by saving your company money. Having a system that is being automated means less potential revenue “shrinkage” and more visibility into every transaction in your parking lot.



At first glance, parking kiosks, pedestals and barrier gates may seem like simple pieces of equipment. However, these units have complex functionality as well as an important purpose: controlling vehicles that enters and exits a property. Let's talk about why this technology is so vital and how it could increase the revenue your property as well as improve the effectiveness of operations.

Why You Should Consider Parking Software

There are multiple reasons why you should consider parking software especially since it's much more than managing parking spaces. It's about making sure your lot has the right amount of availability. It also means capturing all transactions and keeping track of revenue while monitoring the safety of visitors and employees.


The logistics, take time that you may not have. Especially, if you want to focus on operations and other aspects of your business. This exact reason makes parking lot entry technologies such as parking software even more important. It offers benefits for those that may be responsible for operations, security, or general management of the lot.


These systems have the ability to provide your lot with a few notable things;

Ability to provide tracking numbers/ parking amounts/ types of vehicles using spaces

Easy pay methods (credit card, optional cash acceptance)

Increased security & surveillance

Pre-configured systems including lots, lanes, rates, coupons, etc.

Real-time data.


Parking software can save significant man-hours that could be distributed across other tasks. With the time saved, there will be more parking spots for customers and other visitors, and how it works is quite simple.

The software is installed in a lot so it can take real-time data from the parking hardware. This includes how many vehicles are parked, their location, and the time of arrival/departure.

How Does Parking Lot Software Work?

Parking software can help with the logistics of keeping track of who is parked where, and how long they have been there. This software can also help businesses regulate the flow of traffic in and out of their lot. This makes it easier for customers to find a spot and helps keep traffic organized.


Businesses that use parking software are run better than those that don't. Larger parking lots without software tend to be disorganized and chaotic. This can lead to frustrated customers and missed business opportunities. A software like this can help solve these problems and even digitize some of your business metrics.



So if you're looking for a way to make your parking lot run more smoothly and increase its safety, consider using Parking BOXX; the best way to simplify parking.

Is The Design Of A Parking Lot Important?

Parking lot design is extremely important, as it can affect how well your parking lot functions. Parking space dimensions and parking lot layouts are key factors to consider when designing your lot so, if these aspects are not taken into account, your parking lot could become congested. This can increase the risk of preventable accidents. It could also cause traffic jams, and make navigating your property more difficult.


Additionally, think about it this way; poorly designed parking lots can be dangerous. Without designing with the goal of seamless functionality, the possibility of accidents or injury will increase. An entry and exit control system is a type of technology that enhances the design of the lot itself. It allows the design and layout of the lot to be used efficiently and oftentimes, remotely.


Proper signage is also essential for directing drivers to the correct areas. This is even more important for larger lots and parking garages. Making sure there is enough lighting on the property is another important factor to consider. This will help to ensure visibility by staff and customers.


A well-designed parking lot can improve the flow of traffic in a parking structure or garage. It does this by making sure that cars do not block other cars from entering or exiting certain sections of the parking facility. 



One of the main purposes of this type of system is to make sure that vehicles follow designated routes through the area. This can help to avoid congestion caused by misdirected traffic patterns.

How Else Does Traffic Control Help?

Traffic control options prevent unauthorized drivers from entering into areas too quickly. This also allows more time to be aware of surroundings when entering or exiting a parking lot since they have to stop to do either. As we've mentioned, this is beneficial in areas with large amounts of foot traffic and for areas with a lot of general traffic that could cause potential collisions.



Of course, safety is key but the safer your parking lot is, the fewer injuries or accidents you may have. The fewer injuries or accidents you have, the better your property reputation will be. This also means the safer it will be considered by customers and the longer you will be able to stay in business day-to-day.

Here Are A Few Other Things To Keep In Mind

Keep in mind, the way your property is designed will be the first and the last impression that you will make on potential customers. We offer a variety of design options and complete customization packages for your project. To make things even better we offer high-quality service and support.


The support we provide is unlike any other since we are there for our clients if any issues ever arise. So you can rest assured that you will be working with a knowledgeable, and friendly support staff. 



Whether you have a small or large project, ranging from employee parking for a small company, an airport, a hospital parking lot, or even a lot for a resort, we have solutions packages to fit your specific needs

Will Parking Lot Entry and Exit Control Systems Increase Safety?

Did you know that at least 20% of car accidents happen in parking lots? That means there are at least 50,000 car accidents every year that are only happening in parking garages. Having an entry and exit system can significantly reduce this risk.



Parking system can be useful for locations with large volumes of vehicle traffic as well as pedestrian foot traffic. Some of those places could include airports, hospitals, universities, and other similar locations. They are helpful for any type of area but we mention this to point out the significant difference it can make when there are external causes of traffic surrounding the property.


Control systems can make a parking lot safer, properly accessible, and more functional. So, let’s take a look at a couple of key points to help you understand the benefits.


One reason it's critical to have an effective parking lot entry and exit control system is safety. One major concern with keeping people safe is the risk of injury or death due to accidents. It's one thing if someone accidentally drives through an intersection on a red light, but it can be another story when pedestrians are involved, especially in a smaller space.


Drivers may not always see pedestrians in time and fail to stop their vehicles before they cause harm. Having traffic controls such as, boom gates installed at the end of drive lanes act as additional protective measures.

Get The Most Out Of Your Lot

If you're tired of managing your parking lot manually, then it's time to invest in parking lot entry and exit control systems options. Parking BOXX makes parking software and entry and exit systems that are perfect for businesses like yours. It will make controlling your lots easier than ever before while saving you money, resources, and time.



So, if you're looking for an effective way to improve safety in your parking lot, reduce accidents and vehicle damage, look into installing a parking lot entry and exit control system. 

What Makes Parking BOXX different?

If you’re wondering how Parking BOXX differs from other parking services, we can start by mentioning how we offer a variety of solutions for multiple property sizes and layouts. Versatility and efficiency are what drives how we are able to interact with our customers. It also drives how we work to increase a client’s parking revenue.


We provide top-quality parking systems while making affordability possible for our clients. We can provide fully featured parking gate systems that allow for ticket and payment entry. Clients also have the opportunity to include multiple rates, automated pay machines, card access, cashier stations, and more.



What makes Parking BOXX stand out is our experience in the industry. We have over 80 years of experience. We also have different parking sites that are operational from, Los Angeles to the Caribbean, and beyond.


We offer our expertise in the parking industry and we do it confidently. Since we've been in business, we've come across multiple requests, workflows, and suggestions so if you have a question, there is a high chance that Parking BOXX has an answer.

How to Evaluate Gated vs. Metered Parking System Costs
Without question, the initial investment in a gated parking system exceeds that of a metered system. But, upfront costs are only part of the equation. It’s essential to factor in other considerations, including installation costs, maintenance costs and operational costs.

Here, we’ll share insight into how these costs accrue for gated and metered parking systems.
Capital Costs
Walker Parking Consultants estimated that the initial costs for a gated system would account for approximately 25% of the projected annual parking revenue in the first year (p.6). That is, the City would recoup the costs of the gated system in just one fiscal quarter.

In comparison, the cost for an ungated multi-space metered (MSM) system was estimated at approximately 12% of projected annual parking revenues in the first year (p.6). The City could thus anticipate recovering the costs of the metered system in approximately 6 weeks.

In both scenarios, the ROI for the capital investment is excellent. Naturally, though, the difference between 12% and 25% is significant.

Gated systems are more expensive because more equipment is required. They require not only gates, entry ticket machines, pay stations, and exit machines, but also servers and workstations.

Metered systems require only the meters themselves, and can be hosted for a fee, negating the need for servers.
Installation Costs
Gated systems are also more expensive to install. “Installation requires equipment islands, power and communication infrastructure and planning for vehicular queuing at both the entrances and exit lanes as cars will need to wait for the entry or exit transaction to be conducted.” (Walker, p. 3)

In contrast, meters can be installed in as little as a day.

According to Ryan Baker and Chris Chettle, Certified Administrators of Public Parking, power supply can significantly affect the cost of meter installation and ongoing expenses. AC-powered meters incur higher costs for routing power. Solar (where an option), requires no routing, and both the installation and operational costs are lower. (p. 26)
Maintenance Costs
Most parking systems, whether gated or metered, will have a useful life of eight to ten years, “depending on frequency of use, climate, and how well it’s maintained…however there are many instances of parking equipment lasting far longer. Maintenance and repair costs typically increase as the equipment ages.” (Walker, p.18)

So, how do the maintenance costs of a gated parking system compare with those for meters?

Gated system maintenance costs are relatively simple, comprising equipment maintenance and warranty costs.

Contrast this to metered parking system maintenance, which includes:
  • Meter warranty
  • Hosting services
  • Transaction fees
  • Maintenance and warranty on enforcement technology (more on this below)
  • Enforcement technology licensing and support
  • Maintenance and gasoline for enforcement vehicles
  • Meter maintenance labor
Nevertheless, the maintenance and warranty costs for a gated system can be higher than for a metered parking system. There are more moving parts in a gated system and the parts are more expensive to replace.

How much more will you pay for gated parking maintenance?

Walker Parking Consultants estimated the ongoing maintenance costs of a gated system could approximately double the maintenance costs for a metered system. But, there’s no cause for alarm. To put this in context, Walker projected gated parking maintenance costs at just under 2.5% of revenue, a modest outlay. (p. 7)
Operational Costs
Staffing, by far, constitutes the most significant operational cost, and this is where the assessment gets surprising.

As with capital costs and maintenance, you would expect a gated parking system would be more expensive to operate. The gated system is more complicated, after all, whereas a metered system is self-serve; no parking attendants are required, and the only staff needed to run a metered parking system are there to perform occasional maintenance and collect cash from the machines.

But metered parking systems require much more labor to enforce payment. Meters are operated on the honor system, and people are kept honest by enforcement, which is costly. These costs can include:
  • Pay and benefits for enforcement agents to parole and cite infractions
  • Costs of enforcement technology (like mobile license plate recognition technology)
  • Purchase of enforcement vehicles (e.g. for large garages or multi-garage operations)
Walker estimates that for the City of Miami Beach to maintain a high 85% payment compliance rate, they would need to spend approximately 15% of projected parking revenues over a ten year period. (p.8)

Compare that again with the maintenance cost of a gated system, at an estimated 2.5% of projected revenues per year for the City of Miami Beach (Walker, p. 7). Enforcement costs quickly become a bigger consideration than maintenance costs.

According to Walker, “(w)hile the metered system is less expensive to procure install and maintain, the labor required to effectively enforce the garages make (it) more expensive to operate” (p. 9).
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