The Parking Management Guide to Maximizing Efficiency & Profits

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Table of Contents:

Intro: The Parking Management Guide to Maximize Profits

Chapter 1: Parking Management Strategies

Chapter 2: Parking Management Software & Technology

Chapter 3: Parking Lot Rules and Regulations


Intro: Parking Management 101: A Guide For Enforcement, Event Managers, & More

What is Parking Management?

Parking management is the sum of all the strategies and tactics that create and maintain a smoothly operating and well-secured parking operation for a business, building, or event.

Because of everything that goes into establishing rules and procedures for operating a parking space, parking managers are delegated the responsibility of overseeing an entire parking operation, typically by utilizing a parking management system that enables management to effectively accomplish overall goals for parking operations.

For Enforcers

Unfortunately, wherever there are rules, there are those who try to break them. Rather than writing and documenting citations that could easily be lost or dismissed by offenders, parking management software allows electronic tracking that documents the offender’s information and makes the process simple for repayment.

For Event Management

Managing thousands of visitors in one night can be overwhelming without an event parking management system that makes important tasks like taking payments, tracking lot availability, and writing citations much more feasible in the heat of a major event.

Parking Management Goals

When it comes to managing a parking operation, there are several important components necessary for an effective and efficient management system:

  1. Diverse Payment Methods

Given that every visitor will differ in their preferred method of payment (cash, credit, debit, Apple Pay, etc.), it’s good to have software that accommodates those differences, especially if your goal is for the smoothest parking operation as possible for your managers, parking operators, and visitors.

You’ll also be able to track and charge a customer for any accrued fees or levies they may have, which would require a system to apply a fee that’s specific to each individual.

  1. Parking Enforcement Tools

Parking management systems with effective parking enforcement tools will enable you to number and track individual parking lots, parking availability, and ticket issuance and tracking. This will allow you to get the most out of your parking lot while reducing parking traffic and pedestrian danger.

  1. Access Point Controls

Parking management systems allow you to easily verify and confirm visitors at entry points around your parking operation, ensuring they have reserved their spot while turning away those who haven’t.

  1. Operation Reporting

Real-time reporting allows for broad tracking of multiple parking facilities, visitor count, and parking spot availability on-site and remotely.

Benefits of Parking Management

At the end of the day, parking management systems help balance the supply and demand of your parking spaces in your operation. Without balance, chaos ensues, ranging from high traffic problems to parking violations.

Some of the major benefits of a parking management system include:

  • Reduces the traffic volume around your parking operation and therefore increases pedestrian safety.
  • A well-oiled and organized operation relieves your parking operators and customers.
  • Secured entry points in your parking facility will reduce the volume of parking violations.

How to Save on Costs for Active Parking Lot Management

State-of-the-art parking lot management systems allow you to cover multiple parking facilities from one central hub, tracking violations, allowing easy payment processes for violators, tracking accurate space availability, and more, all enabling you to save and make more money in your overall parking operation.

Optimize Your Parking Operation with Ballparc

Let us help you manage with software that consolidates control over all the elements of your parking operation.

Get more from your parking technology. Request a Demo today!


Chapter 1: Parking Management Strategies

Without a strategy, managing a parking operation will be far from effective and efficient, resulting in chaos, wasted resources, and lost revenue. There are plenty of considerations when establishing your facility or lot and whatever tools you’ll need for a successful operation.

Types of Parking

If you’re planning the layout of your parking lot or facility, it’s good to know which type of parking is best for your operation. The three most common types are angular, perpendicular, and parallel parking.

Angular parking allows you to fit more parking spaces into your facility while also giving you control over parking traffic flow.

Perpendicular parking is the most standard type of parking, allowing for two-way traffic throughout the lot.

Parallel parking requires the most room per parking space for maneuverability.

Types of Parking Facilities

There are different types of facilities used for parking lots, even some that utilize automated robotic systems for arranging vehicles to optimize space usage.

Parking garages in many variations:

  • Single-Level Garages: only has one floor
  • Multi-level/Multi-Storey Garages: multiple levels for parking, connected by ramps or lifts
  • Underground Garages: only has levels underground for parking
  • Automated Parking Garages: your car is driven onto a platform, and then arranged with other cars in the garage by an automatic robotic system, allowing for compact storage and more economical use of garage space

How Much Parking Support Do I Need?

Each parking facility differs in its needs for safety and efficiency, but luckily there are plenty of tools available to help you and your parking operators, no matter the size and scope of your operation.

The current state of parking technology and management services gives parking managers and operators control from a smartphone.

The best parking management software will include:

  • Real-time data tracking of parking space availability
  • Mobile parking validation
  • Accept most forms of payment, including credit card
  • Visitor entrance and exit tracking
  • Easy issuing and charging of parking violations
  • Quick communication to your team throughout your parking facility
  • And more!

How to Grow Your Parking Operation with Ballparc

No parking operation is efficient without a strategy, and it’s hard to implement great parking strategies without management software that gives you both a high-level view and control over all the essential elements of your parking operation.


Chapter 2: Parking Lot Rules and Regulations

Your parking facility must comply with city rules and regulations for an optimal parking experience for operators and visitors alike.

The following parking requirements are for the city of Phoenix, as declared by the Planning & Development Department.

This is not meant to be exhaustive, so be sure to refer to the Planning & Development Department’s Parking Requirements Guidelines document or contact them with any questions or concerns regarding your parking facility.

Parking Design

The three basic parking lot layouts are 90 Degree Parking, Angle Parking, and Parallel Parking.

90-Degree Parking

This form of parking is the most efficient of all the layouts as it allows for the most parking per square foot and accommodates two-way traffic, requiring a 26’ aisle.

Angle Parking

If the location of your parking operation is limited in width, angle parking allows for flexibility. It allows for more directional control over the flow of parking traffic–one-way driveways require “IN” and “OUT” signs at street access points, including marking the pavement with arrows along said driveways.

Parallel Parking

This sort of parking requires much more space for maneuverability for a safe entrance and exit.

Parking Space Size

Standard/Compact Spaces

Standard, 90-degree spaces…

  • For retail or assembly: 9.5’ wide, 19’ deep
  • For multi-family residential/industrial/office spaces: 8.5’ wide, 19’ deep.

You may use 9’ parking spaces for less than 50% of overall retail/assembly spaces, provided double-striped spaces are being used.

Regarding compact parking spaces…
Dimensions may only be used for spaces that exceed the minimum parking space requirement, located in the lowest-used areas of the parking lot.

Accessible Spaces

Some of the regulations regarding accessible parking spaces include:

  • All accessible spaces must be 11’ wide and 18’ deep with an additional 5’ access aisle to the right side of the space for entering and exiting the vehicle.
  • Accessible spaces must be designated with a sign displaying the international symbol for accessible parking.
  • Adjacent accessible spaces may share the 5’x18’ access aisle.
  • No ramps should be located in the access aisle.
  • Accessible spaces should be within close proximity of sidewalks and building entrances.
  • Accessible spaces should be striped on all sides except sides bordered by a curb.
  • Walk aisles shouldn’t be located behind more than one parked vehicle.

Paving

According to Section 702 of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance, all parking areas must have a “dust-free” surface”: typically asphalt paving or concrete.

Alternative options for dust-free surfaces require approval by the Zoning Administrator.

Safety Curbing

For all parking and maneuvering areas, 6-inch high curbing is required; this is to keep parking traffic from going beyond property lines.

Because of the potential hazards and trash accumulation, safety curbs are discouraged within parking lots.

Visibility Triangles

Visibility Triangle requirements include:

  • Placement at all driveway entrances, alleys, and intersecting streets.
  • Nothing should be placed within the Visible Triangles that exceed 36” in height (such as walls, landscaping, or trees greater than one foot in diameter). Tree canopies no lower than 8’-10’.
  • Identify your Visible Triangles on your site, landscape, or plot plan.

Landscape Requirements

Landscaping is typically required between parking lots and public streets but may differ depending on your zoning district.

Plants must be chosen from a list of drought-tolerant plants provided by the Arizona Landscape Department.

Drainage

Your facility’s parking plans must indicate the path of stormwater drainage, locate catch basins as well as other stormwater management devices, and signify areas of stormwater retention.

Get the Parking Management Tools Your Operation Deserves

A well-regulated parking operation requires more than a great facility. Get parking technology that scales with you. Request a Demo today!


Chapter 3: Parking Management Software & Technology

What is Parking Management Software?

Parking management software gives you the power to manage your operation remotely, no matter where you are in your parking facility–or if you’re out-of-state altogether–giving you and your team access to every tool required for executing a safe and efficient parking operation. From real-time data analysis to mobile validation, there’s nothing you’ll be wanting when you’ve got quality parking software to back you up.

Benefits of Parking Management Software

There are plenty of benefits that come with the latest parking technologies.

When your parking management becomes software-focused, it gives parking operators access to state-of-the-art tools for smoother and more efficient management and saves you money on the cost of parking equipment.

Plenty of other benefits include:

Saving Time & Money

Automated systems for tasks otherwise time-consuming, including locating vacant parking spots, tracking vehicles entering and exiting, validating, and processing parking or violation payments.

Make More Money

You can sell more spots when you accept most payment methods!

Fortified Enforcement

Having a central, mobile hub for tracking and seamless citation processes for fining drivers for parking violations allows for an overall safer environment for your team and your customers.

Reduce Congestion

With quick transactions, keep your guests moving and prevent ingress delays.

Typical Features of Parking Management Software

Cutting-edge parking management software solutions will have the latest innovations in management technology and equip your operators with tools for efficiency and keeping your guests safe.

Event Management Features

  • Accept credit cards as well as track cash transactions
  • Scan/validate prepaid parking guests
  • Monitor lot performance from any location with real-time data tracking
  • Customizable hang tags, season passes, and VIP lists
  • Automate end-of-shift reports and prevent cash slippage

Enforcement Features

  • Issue parking violations straight from your smartphone
  • Easy tracking and management of violations
  • Track parking officer locations and confirm lot check-ins
  • Accept more payment methods, including credit card
  • Manage payment disputes online
  • Track repeat offenders and enforce booting & towing policies
  • Built-in notifications that immediately notify your parking officers

Considerations When Purchasing Parking Management Software

Although competing parking software shares many of the same features, with Ballparc, no one client is treated the same–we offer a partnership customized to your particular parking management needs.

Partner with Ballparc

Creating a safe and smooth parking operation is no light task. Partner with us and get all the control you need right at your fingertips with our state-of-the-art parking management technology.

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