As a society, we make hundreds of choices every day. Being able to choose what’s best suited for our lifestyle gives us satisfaction and convenience, especially when it comes to parking. A recent study by ZipCar reported that 87% of NYC drivers believe that finding a public parking spot is more stressful than sitting next to a crying baby on a plane – yikes! And, 40% of drivers in the U.S. have admitted to avoiding shopping at locations where parking is challenging.
As you can see, there is a clear need for smart cities and operators to give drivers better options when it comes to finding and paying for parking. With the emergence of cloud-based technology, operators everywhere are being given an opportunity to improve the way they manage and enforce parking, while adding convenience to the overall parking experience.
How parking technology invites more convenience for parkers
Digital permit issuance
Permits whether at a hospital or office building have proven to be beneficial and convenient to both operators and drivers. However, time and time again physical permits continue to be a roadblock for efficiency among operators because of the extensive manual management it requires. Today, more operators are looking to parking management software to automate this entire process with digital permits. With all permits in the cloud, operators not only streamline the entire administration process and lower costs, but also make things significantly more convenient and safer for parkers. Unlike physical permits, digital permits are shared electronically to parkers with the option to reserve and pay for parking ahead of time.
Through the Roker app, parkers can locate, reserve, and pay for parking all online. This is a great option for parkers to find a spot that meets their specific needs – whether they require an accessible space near an elevator or require a long-term spot to rent near their school campus.
Contactless payment options
Cloud-based parking platforms make contactless payment possible for parkers. Using this feature, operators are able to provide multiple payment options, while enabling drivers to pay for parking directly from their phones or through a “tap to pay” feature at a facility’s entrance gate. For instance, if a parent has a young child in a stroller, they would certainly appreciate the choice to pay for parking from their phone instead of walking around a facility in search of a kiosk.
Access to key parking data
By bringing everything to the cloud, operators have access to key parking data that indicates key trends, how parkers are using their facility and what their preferences are. It also enables operators to adjust their permit prices and enforcement policies based on the demand of parking within their city. Having this valuable data serves an asset when making strategic decisions to improve operational efficiency and increase revenue, as well as respond to the needs of parkers.
Better parking drives revenue
Smart technology has introduced additional revenue streams for operators. Using the Roker app specifically, operators can list vacant parking spots within their facility and connect with drivers nearby who are in search of parking. Giving parkers more flexible options to search, reserve, and pay for parking will not only increase traffic for these businesses, but ultimately increase their revenue because of this added layer of convenience.
Roker’s cloud-based parking platform is designed to enhance the management and enforcement process for operators, while providing more convenience for parkers. As smart cities continue to grow, the need for smarter parking solutions is essential to keep up with the evolving landscape of urban mobility. At Roker, we present an innovative, responsive, and cost-effective solution that allows organizations to remain agile in the face of growth. To learn more, contact us today.
