How does the parking system work?

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How Does a Parking System Work? A Practical Look at Technology and Process

After learning what a parking system is, it’s time to get practical – how it works in reality. Understanding this process helps both parking operators and users who want to take advantage of modern solutions such as hybrid ticketless parking systems, LPR cameras, automatic pay stations, or cashless payments.

 

1. Entering the Parking – Vehicle Identification

The first stage of any parking system is the moment of entry. Depending on the technology, the process may look slightly different:

  • Traditional ticket system: the driver stops at the entry terminal, takes a paper ticket, and the barrier opens.
  • Hybrid ticketless system: the vehicle is automatically recognized by an LPR camera that reads the license plate. The system registers the entry time, and the barrier rises after the driver confirms that the detected plate is correct. If plate recognition fails (e.g., snow-covered plate), the system issues a QR-coded ticket as a backup solution.
  • Fully ticketless system: the vehicle is automatically recognized by an LPR camera, which reads the license plate. The system records the entry time, and the barrier opens automatically.

Thanks to automation, the Car Flow System operates faster and without delays – particularly important during peak hours. Under ideal conditions (no driver errors, smooth traffic), a single entry can handle over 400 vehicles per hour.

 

2. Parking and Customer Classification

After entering the facility, the system distinguishes two main user types:

  • Rotational customer – someone using the parking occasionally, with parking time counted from entry to exit.
  • Subscription customer – the vehicle is automatically identified by license plate and requires no additional action. Dedicated zones or time limits can be assigned. In Car Flow System solutions, the license plate is registered in the system, and the barrier opens automatically. If the customer uses a different car on a given day but still has parking access rights, they can use a physical subscription card. The CFS 2.0 system checks if the vehicle is already in the parking lot, preventing fraud and multiple vehicles entering with the same card at the same time.

The system can analyze data in real time, giving operators full insight into current space usage. Barriers can be opened or closed remotely, or specific license plate numbers can be sent to the device – CFS 2.0 offers numerous world-class functionalities to simplify parking management and usage.

 

3. Parking Payment

Before leaving, the customer must pay, and the system offers several convenient options:

  • Automatic pay station – located in an easily accessible area, allows cash and cashless payment (card, phone, BLIK, NFC).
  • Online or mobile app payment – available in systems with mobile integration.
  • Payment at exit – in some configurations, payment by card is possible directly at the exit terminal.

The system can calculate dynamic fees – e.g., the first 15 minutes free, then according to the tariff. Each parking lot can configure its pricing, with numerous standard options to meet even the most demanding investor requirements.

 

4. Exit – Payment Verification and Plate Re-Read

After payment, the user proceeds to the exit terminal, where:

  • Ticket-based system: the ticket is scanned, and the system verifies payment status.
  • Hybrid ticketless system: the LPR camera re-reads the license plate and checks if parking has been paid. If yes – the barrier opens automatically. If not, and the exit terminal supports cashless payment – the customer can pay directly at the exit, without returning to the pay station = no chaos, smooth flow, higher throughput.

The entire process takes only a few seconds, allowing the user to leave the parking quickly and efficiently.

 

5. Monitoring, Control, and Data Analysis

Thanks to a centralized management system:

  • The operator sees real-time data – available spaces, parking duration, and customer turnover.
  • Profitability analysis, financial reporting, and pricing optimization are possible.
  • The Car Flow system includes an API, which investors can use for integration with their tools or for exporting data to internal data warehouses.

 

Summary: Smart Parking System in Practice

A modern parking system provides not only convenience but also operational efficiency, safety, and time savings. With solutions like entry and exit terminals, automatic pay stations, cashless payments, and LPR cameras – the entire process is smooth and contactless. This makes it an ideal solution for modern urban, office, or commercial spaces.

Interested in seeing how such a system could work in your facility? Contact us – Car Flow System experts will gladly prepare a tailored offer.