With all of the recent advancements in the parking industry (and there are many), one notable example is the advancement in beacon technology. Beacon-based parking technologies are the latest alternative to the more traditional barcode options seen in many parking facilities. Beacons utilize bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology, allowing customers to utilize their parking application to park in their chosen facilities more quickly and easily.

Contrary to their barcode-based counterparts which require action on the part of the user to scan a barcode from their phone, beacons use transmitters coded with a unique identity to offer parkers a more seamless and efficient, passive entry/exit experience. Users with the associated location-sensitive smart phone application will receive a notification when in range of the parking facility beacons and be notified accordingly along their parking journey. These applications, prompted by the beacons, will provide the users with information related to location, pricing, and regulations within the parking facility.

Beacon-based solutions allow parking operators to more easily communicate with their patrons with announcements, special deals or discounts, emergency alerts, and more through enabled notifications. They can also provide the operator with more information regarding the customer journey including their route and location throughout the parking facility, allowing them to more effectively serve the user.

But how can this information be used to help the operator enhance its operation and more effectively serve its patrons, while ensuring the safety and security of their private information? Data can provide a great deal of insight into a customer’s behavior, preferences, and needs.  Business Intelligence (BI) systems can give operators insight into the user’s schedule, parking habits, interests, and more. Further, BI can help the operator develop targeted marketing programs to attract new customers and establish and maintain consumer loyalty. These programs can be used to provide discounts, benefits, and amenities based on each individual user’s habits and preferences.

In addition, parking analytical data can give operators a better idea about how their individual facilities are operating, their efficiencies and performance, and implement necessary changes for those that may be underperforming. This data can also provide insights into trends by facility, dates, pricing models, locations, or regions to better understand both their client base and their resources and apply strategies that are working effectively across their portfolios. Let ParkEngage put BI technology to work for you to supercharge your marketing and operations. Contact us to learn how our services can enhance your operation through our beacon-based technology.

2020 has definitely been a wild ride for many – especially those of us in the parking, transportation, and mobility industry. Our industry has been impacted significantly, with huge reductions in parking demand, and the resulting impact that has had on budgets and staffing numbers.

We are of course hopeful that in 2021 we will begin to see some light at the end of the tunnel with the reopening of cities, as well as people becoming more comfortable returning to their previous routines. One part of this return to “normal” that could help our industry get back on its feet is that (at least for a while) people may feel more comfortable driving to destinations in their vehicles rather than getting back on public transit. That extra time in their own, personal “pod” may help to increase their comfort level and likelihood that they will venture back out to events, restaurants, workplaces, and more. With that, parking owners and operators should be ready to go to provide these patrons with the most safe and comfortable experience possible. The key to this being technology.

Now is the perfect time for these owners and operators to begin to integrate parking technologies into their facilities so they are ready to go when parking demand increases again. Drivers will have high expectations for their parking facilities to provide the most convenient and safe customer journey possible. Touchless parking solutions will be vital to enhancing these experiences, allowing patrons to find, navigate to, and pay for their parking from their mobile devices, while limiting their interactions with other people. Not only will their previous customer base expect these new technologies, but they will be vital to maintaining this new population of parkers who may have previously taken public transit options. Don’t wait until your communities reopen to begin to think about incorporating touchless parking solutions into your facilities. Check out ParkEngage touchless parking to learn more about how our services can quickly and seamlessly enhance your operation. Check out our new touchless parking video to see how it works, and contact us today to schedule a demo!