Everyone who has ever used a car park will have at some point have experienced similar frustrations. Examples of this can be spaces that are barely wide enough to fit your car in, poor signage, inefficient entry and exit systems and poor surfaces. Now while some of these issues are possibly related to car park operators trying to maximise profit, this is not always the case. Quite often if customers visit a car park and suffer such frustrations it is quite possible they won’t return.
The purpose of using land as a car park is primarily to generate profit for the owners, so repeat business is important. Now even as drivers, we must agree that car park operators have a difficult job. However, many options for car park management can make your car park a more efficient, and usable space for staff and customers alike. So, we’ve listed five things below that can help improve the parking experience for customers, and help you attract that repeat business for which you are striving.
Improve the Layout of Your Car Park
The layout of a car park is the first thing you should consider, you can start by looking at what type of customers use your car park and the days and times they use it. Think about how existing spaces are utilised, and whether they are all absolutely necessary. Now while taking out some spaces may seem counterproductive; it can actually be beneficial. While you may equate fewer spaces with reduced revenue this is not necessarily the case. If your car park gains a reputation as being easy to use and convenient, it will undoubtedly help attract more car owners into your space.
Consider Installing ANPR Cameras
Now while the installation of ANPR cameras may seem expensive, it can actually prove to be cost-effective. ANPR camera systems are a great way to remove congestion that can sometimes be caused by barriers. ANPR or Automatic Number Plate Recognition is a barrier free way to regulate entry and exit to your car park, as well as alerting you to drivers who fail to make the required payment. ANPR removes the need in many cases for car park attendants, as parking can be monitored from a central point. Installing ANPR technology will also make your car park a more secure place, and let’s be honest all drivers want to feel their vehicle is safe while they are away from it.
Make Safety a Priority
Improving the safety of your car park is something that should be right at the top of your list. One way to do this is by optimising the layout. Reducing congestion will undoubtedly help cut down the risk of accidents. Another way to make your car park safe is to ensure you carry out regular maintenance to ensure surfaces are kept in good condition and free from potholes. Make sure speed limits are clearly displayed to deter speeding and irresponsible driving.
Automated Payment Systems
As we are moving more and more towards a cashless society, people don’t always have the required change to pay for parking. People have become so used to paying for things by card or even more recently by smartphone. By installing an automated payment system you will make it much more convenient for drivers to park. This can be taken one step further if you have ANPR cameras as there are a number of apps now available allowing drivers to pay on their phones.
Try and Ensure Congestion is Kept to a Minimum
While it may be impossible to completely eradicate congestion due to circumstances outside your control, you should do your best to keep it to a minimum. The build-up of cars and difficulty of access can have an effect on the usability of your car park, so wherever possible try and keep entry and exit points clear, bays clearly marked and wherever possible directional signs highly visible.
Hopefully, the points we have highlighted above will help you when it comes to car park management and make sure your business runs smoothly and efficiently.
