Despite the catchy title, we're not talking about who has difficulty parking and who doesn't, but about the things we don't like about parking. We've gathered together what the average person doesn't like about driving into a car park or car park and how to avoid making the same mistake in our pay and display car park system.
"I hate having to walk around for 20 minutes to get a parking space"
One of the disadvantages of crowded, busy car parks can be that they let cars in after all the spaces are full, and that they can be a long search for a few free spaces. Although not directly part of the parking system, it is common for the last available parking spaces to be difficult, almost impossible, to get into because they are marked out, and also a nuisance to find a space because of narrow lanes or cars taking up more spaces. The latter, of course, cannot be blamed on the operator.
However, we can help guests who are parking to prepare in advance for a possible longer search for a parking space, for example by filling up the number of free spaces (before entering) or if a full car park does not allow more cars to enter until spaces become available. Even more helpful is the availability of a parking occupancy warning system - a light that glows red when the car park is occupied and green when it is free. This can make it much easier for guests to find a parking space.
"I'm always caught out by the parking machines"
Where you can't pay with cash or even a card. Sometimes it's hard to find the machine. Settling the parking fee is important for both parties: the operator earns revenue and the guest wants to leave the car park as soon as possible. Not having as many payment methods as possible can be a source of frustration. Nowadays, payment by credit card, payment via a smartphone app, SMS payment should be essential and cash payment should be considered, accepting as many denominations as possible, with banknotes and coins being returned.
"I can't stand the always grumpy parking attendant"
Of course, it is not common nowadays for parking attendants to treat customers in a grumpy and disrespectful way, but in car parks where a person lets the visitor in and where he or she can buy a parking ticket, unpleasant situations and disagreements do occur. A parking attendant may be tired, may be having a bad day and may not be addressed with the necessary respect by the customer - however: to avoid this, it is worth automating the entry and payment of fees, so that a parking attendant is not needed and the job can be replaced by more exciting, multi-faceted (and therefore better paid) tasks such as checking the area, maintenance, reporting breakdowns, cleaning and so on.
"I don't like it when I can't get my ticket to the exit machine"
It is true that there are times when, due to a design fault or peculiarity, it is difficult to validate a paid parking ticket because the curb does not allow you to drive close enough to the exit pillar, but at the same time it is impossible to open the door to get out and prove to the barrier that you are entitled to exit.
To prevent this, it is worth using a number plate recognition system. This will make it easier to exit - as the camera will immediately tell the barrier that the visitor is allowed to exit once the number plate has been recognised.
A modern pay and display system that customers like?
It does exist! Try the benefits of the Anteus ParkControl pay parking system. Get to know our product better, contact us and we'll help you design a parking system that your customers - along with you - will love.
