What Is a Parking System? A Guide to Modern Solutions

In an era of increasing traffic and higher demand for efficient urban space management, a parking system becomes a key element of the infrastructure of any modern city, shopping center, or office building. But what exactly is such a system, and what functions can it serve?

 

Parking System – Definition and Application

A parking system is an integrated set of devices and software used to manage vehicle traffic in closed parking areas, both commercial and private. Its main goal is to streamline car flow – i.e., the flow of vehicles – while increasing driver comfort and safety.

From the parking operator’s perspective (often the property owner, or sometimes a specialized parking management company), the key priorities are optimizing parking revenue while maintaining order and providing a positive experience for drivers and customers.

Among modern parking systems, Car Flow System stands out. It relies on advanced technology, is practically maintenance-free, and ensures reliability with low operating costs. Car Flow System is secure, reliable, organizes parking usage efficiently, and charges customers only for actual parking time.

 

Parking System Components

A modern parking system consists of many technologically advanced components. The most important include:

• Entry Terminal – registers vehicles at entry, often combined with vehicle presence detectors (e.g., induction loops A and B) and, in modern solutions, integrated with LPR cameras (License Plate Recognition) for automatic plate reading.
• Exit Terminal – controls parking exits by verifying payment or vehicle status (rotational or subscription customer). Car Flow System exit terminals also allow cashless payment at the exit (optional).
• Pass-through Terminal – verifies vehicle passage through a specific point, e.g., entry to a restricted zone (useful for larger parking facilities).
• Pay Stations – allow parking fee payment. Types include:
  • Full automatic pay stations – handle cash and cashless payments,
  • Cashless automatic pay stations – handle only cashless payments,
  • Manual cash pay stations – operated by staff (e.g., security), cash only.
  Car Flow System automatic pay stations come in two types – full (cash + cashless BLIK, NFC, cards) or cashless only.
• Barriers – control vehicle entry and exit; barriers differ in build quality, reliability, speed of opening/closing (affecting throughput), and design aesthetics. Car Flow offers three types:
  • Premium
  • Standard
  • Basic
• LPR Cameras – record license plates, allowing entry and exit without tickets – the hybrid ticketless system. Most of the system operates based on plate photos; Car Flow System uses a high-reliability, multi-frame video approach.
• Accessories – extend or enable proper system functionality (e.g., consumables).
• Consumables:
  • Thermal rolls,
  • Fan-fold tickets,
  • Proximity cards (subscription),
  • Variable Message Signs (VMS),
  • Parking occupancy systems (navigation systems),
  • Validators (discount machines),
  • Installation islands (traffic refuges),
  • Other items like regulation boards (legally required).
• Software – enables operation and management. Car Flow System uses proprietary CFS 2.0 software, designed and fully developed in-house for parking management.

 

Types of Parking Customers

A parking system must address different user groups:

• Rotational customer – someone who uses the parking occasionally and pays per visit.
• Subscription customer – regular user with monthly or long-term parking access. The system automatically recognizes their vehicle via LPR cameras or card proximity.

 

Hybrid Ticketless – The Future of Parking

More operators are implementing the hybrid ticketless parking system, eliminating the need for traditional paper tickets. This system relies on automatic license plate recognition for faster, smoother passage through terminals.

If plate recognition fails (e.g., snow-covered plate), the system issues a QR-coded ticket that allows payment for actual parking time and exit. This reduces operational costs (no ticket needs to be printed for each user) and only provides a ticket in exceptional cases as a backup solution.

 

Benefits of Modern Parking System Implementation

• Reduced customer service time
• Shorter queues at entry and exit
• Increased parking revenue due to better control
• Full automation and integration with payment systems
• Data analysis and real-time reporting capabilities

 

Parking System with Car Flow System

Car Flow System offers comprehensive parking solutions tailored to investors’ needs. Our systems leverage the latest technologies – from terminals to pay stations to intelligent LPR cameras. We serve both rotational and subscription customers, offering user-friendly solutions optimized for operational costs. Proprietary software CFS 2.0 uses machine learning to “learn” the parking lot and license plates, increasing reliability.

 

Summary

Implementing a modern parking system is an investment in convenience, safety, and efficiency. Solutions like hybrid ticketless (offered by Car Flow System), cashless payments, terminals, and intelligent LPR cameras allow full automation of parking management – both locally and city-wide.

Want to learn more about parking solutions? Contact us for a tailored offer.