What Are Revenue Control Systems and How Do They Work?

If you own or operate a parking lot and want to get the most out of your space, a Parking Access and Revenue Control System can help you manage the space more efficiently and make money simultaneously.

What Are Parking Revenue Control Systems?

Parking Access and Revenue Control Systems (PARCS) are real-time computerized parking systems that are used to manage and audit the access and payments of transient and non-transient users of a parking facility. 

• Transient users are drivers who pay for parking on a short-term basis (a day or less), and these customers typically pay based on the amount of time they use the space. 
• Non-transient users are parkers who typically have a pre-assigned permit or credential to park somewhere on an ongoing basis.

These systems are the backbone of a successful parking facility. The revenue control components of the system are used to manage and audit payments collected from parkers, and the access control components enable owners to control and record all entrances and exits from their parking facility. 

Typically, these systems are customizable based on the owner’s needs and offer varying levels of complexity and functionality. In addition to collecting revenue and controlling access, PARCS also have the capability to record all parking instances through parking guidance systems and give real-time insight into how much parking is available at any given time. 

The basic components of PARCS are: 

• Barriers (such as boom poles or a gate) that are used to control access to the parking lot
• Alarms that generate messages indicating potential problems with the equipment or breaches of the operational rules in the facility.
• Entry and exit stations –  which usually involve an in-lane cashier station or automated terminal at entrances and exits that are used to collect parking revenue. These stations are usually managed through ticket systems or other items that can indicate the time a vehicle entered the facility as well as the validity of the vehicle. 
• Pay stations are the systems that are used to accept and validate tickets, calculate parking fees, collect and process payments, and issue receipts as needed. There are two types of pay stations, Pay in Lane (PIL) and Pay on Foot (POF). 
• PARCS software is cloud-based technology that is necessary to collect and supply real-time, accurate parking and revenue control system reports. 

The revenue control system is a component of a PARC system as a whole and could include (but is not limited to) ticket validators and dispensers for automated ticket processing, fee computers, control lights, fee indicators, computerized data management systems, loop detectors, gate arms, and other management systems. 

Why Is Revenue Control Important For Parking Facilities?

Parking and Revenue Control encompasses everything from vehicle control and traffic flow to space utilisation and theft prevention.

Security is one of the biggest benefits of a parking and revenue control system. When a parking management system is in place that controls access and requires payment, it limits the number of people who may be security risks that have access to the parking facility. It reduces the likelihood of theft, looting of car parts, and general intrusion from wanderers. 

Video surveillance, license plate recognition technology,  and access control measures such as access tags also encourage accountability for the drivers who do use the parking facility.

The ability to make money by charging for parking, especially in high-traffic areas, will always be a plus. An additional cost reduction benefit is that these systems run on a low workforce, which means you save money and time. 

Things To Consider For Parking & Revenue Control Systems

Functionality, cost, safety and security, and the specific features you would like your parking & revenue control system to include are all important considerations that should be made. 

Things like payment digitization, cameras, and sensors are general features of most parking systems, but custom features such as advanced analytics and license plate recognition will likely come at an extra cost depending on the service provider you choose. It is a good idea to think of the goals you would like to achieve with your parking management system and investigate how specific companies can help you meet them. There are a wide variety of customizable features that you can include in your parking revenue and access control system if you need to.  

Partnering with the right company can help you optimize the efficiency of your parking lot, ensure the safety of its users, improve customer experience, ensure regulations are being adhered to, and generate revenue. 

LocoMobi World specializes in complete transportation management. We aim to reinvent parking and vehicle access control to be touchless, frictionless, and seamless. Contact us today or explore our website to find out more about how we can assist you with vehicle access management & security, automated parking & revenue control, enforcement & citation management, and more.