ANPR technology aids barrier-free parking

APT Controls Group CEO Dermot Murphy introduces a new suite of parking solutions and explains the benefits of barrier free parking systems Following its acquisition of Parking Applications in September 2011, the APT Controls group is launching a new barrier-less parking and payment solution called Veri-park. This is based on proven automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology and flexible payment channels. At present the concept of barrier-less parking using ANPR is still a relatively new one, which
May 22, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
New Veri-park kiosks provide car park operators with a variety of payment options and feature a 15” touch screen

APT Controls Group CEO Dermot Murphy introduces a new suite of parking solutions and explains the benefits of barrier free parking systems

Following its acquisition of Parking Applications in September 2011, the 988 APT Controls group is launching a new barrier-less parking and payment solution called Veri-park. This is based on proven automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology and flexible payment channels.

At present the concept of barrier-less parking using ANPR is still a relatively new one, which to date has not been widely utilised by the parking industry. However, Veri-park builds on the success of existing ANPR-based solutions developed by 550 Parking Applications and already proven in the field.

As a result, APT Controls can now offer a wider array of options, tailoring each individual solution depending on variables such as how the end customer is required to use the car park; how the customer is required to pay for parking; and how the operator wishes to manage the car park.

Operators have the freedom to decide which is the most suitable system for them, whether that be in the form of a more familiar pay-on-foot system, such as those supplied by 1774 APT Skidata, or a barrier-less system such as Veri-park that can allow customers to pay either on-site or from home over the internet.

At a basic level, barrier-less parking is by no means a new phenomenon; pay and- display car parks, for example, do not rely upon barriers to control customer usage. However, what the pay-and display approach does demand is costly enforcement, as traffic wardens or parking attendants must regularly patrol the car park to check that customers have paid correctly. Furthermore, the pay-and-display system imposes restrictions on the customer experience.

Conversely, with the Veri-park solution, customers are given a choice of payment options, do not have to pay in advance, only pay for what they have used and can receive change. For on-site payments, a new range of Veri-park payment kiosks provides car park operators with a variety of payment options including cards, notes and coins, with change available. A large 15” touch screen provides users with a clear and easyto- use set of payment instructions, and the Veri-park software is configurable to allow payment on both entry and exit, and topup concurrently. The facility to handle user configurable promotions and validations is available either by manual code entry or automated bar code scanning.

If customers are not able or do not wish to pay on-site, Veri-park allows remote web-based pre- and post-visit payment options allowing customers to pay from anywhere, similar to the London congestion charge. Furthermore, use of ANPR means that it is possible for frequent customers to register online and purchase a parking season ticket or select to have their account debited automatically each time they use the car park. Overall, the process of parking becomes much quicker and simpler for customers and more efficient for operators.
Parking & Access Control Detection, Monitoring & Machine Vision

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Lowering the barriers to combined control rooms
    March 29, 2017
    Integrating control rooms can improve traffic management, security and emergency response without excessive cost or compromising privacy. In the wake of the recent terrorist events in France and Germany where the transport system was exploited with deadly consequences, many governments and agencies are reviewing the security arrangements – particularly around popular and high profile events. Increasing security in transport systems that must remain accessible to the general public will not be easy but in ma
    Read More
  • Vehicle identification systems aid dynamic bus operations
    April 24, 2013
    David Crawford looks at a global trend towards more efficiency in less space As buses gain increased profile in the public transport mix needed for modal shift, attention is turning towards improving terminal layouts for more efficient handling of services and passengers. Locations, too, tend to be in central areas of cities, where sites are restricted and land values high. Enter the dynamic bus station, which uses modern vehicle identification systems to optimise space use and streamline service operation
    Read More
  • New generation of pay-on-foot parking technology
    May 28, 2014
    Designed with some of the most challenging parking environments in mind, especially shopping centres and transport hubs, the WPS ParkAdvance system is built around a new IP-based operating system architecture that enables it to simply and directly connect with multiple technologies being deployed in car parks both now and in the future.
    Read More
  • New services and equipment helps cities tackle air quality issues
    September 19, 2017
    With poor urban air quality shortening lives and fines being imposed for breaching pollution limits, authorities are seeking ways to clean up their cities. Poor air quality is topping the agenda for city authorities across the globe. In the UK, for example, a report from the Royal Colleges of Physicians and of Paediatrics and Child Health, concluded that poor outdoor air quality shortens the lives of around 40,000 people a year – principally by undermining the health of people with heart and/or lung prob
    Read More

Highlighted Content