- Security Solutions
- Jun. 6, 2024
Smart Parking: Structure, Functions and Benefits
In modern life with bustling activities, the increasing number of vehicles such as motorcycles and cars has caused parking operations and management to become overloaded and out of control. Thus, designing and implementing a smart parking model is an optimal solution to save time, reduce parking costs, and improve management quality at parking areas. Follow the article below as SECOM VIETNAM will detail what a smart parking system is and its advantages.
What is a Smart Parking System?
Currently, thanks to the emergence of smart parking systems, vehicles are organized rationally and scientifically, and parking management operations are tightly controlled and absolutely safe. Below is information about smart parking systems, their features, and how they operate.
Definition of Smart Parking Systems
A smart parking system is designed with IT applications to become a secure entry and exit control system for vehicles. Compared to traditional parking lots, this model is superiorly upgraded with a combination of software systems and modern devices, including magnetic cards, safety sensors, surveillance cameras, 24/7 guard posts, LED control boards, etc. These devices provide complete information such as entry-exit times, license plates, vehicle images, and driver images, making management at parking lots more efficient and secure.
Currently, smart parking management systems are deployed in many facilities that require large vehicle storage, such as hospitals, schools, shopping centers, apartments, companies, etc. Additionally, this system often appears in major cities where the population and vehicle density are high.
Operating Principles of Smart Parking Systems
At the entrance of the parking lot, each vehicle is issued a registered magnetic card. When swiping the card, the surveillance camera system captures the license plate, vehicle image, and driver image. Then, the card number and all information recorded by the camera are saved into the system along with the time since the card was swiped. This serves as the basis for calculating parking time and querying when necessary. When all information is validly saved into the system, the barrier device automatically opens, allowing the vehicle to enter the parking lot.
At the exit, the parking lot is designed with speed bumps to stop the vehicle and hand over the card to the management staff. When swiping the card, the camera performs a similar task as at the entrance to match the previously saved data. If the data matches, the system displays the payment amount, and the barrier automatically opens. If not, the system issues a warning signal, and the management staff will follow the parking lot’s procedures.
Features of the Smart Parking Management System
Investing in smart parking systems has become increasingly popular. Through this model, parking, management, and control of vehicle numbers in the lot are stable and scientific. Accordingly, this model has the following notable features:
- Regulating and controlling vehicle entry-exit through scientifically designed control software.
- There are two types of magnetic cards: monthly cards for regular customers and temporary cards for occasional customers.
- The smart parking system design saves time in parking and retrieving vehicles.
Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Smart Parking Solutions Compared to Traditional Parking
In the context of growing urban development, the demand for efficient and modern parking solutions has become urgent. The following content will be clarified by SECOM, highlighting the pros and cons of smart parking systems and traditional parking methods, helping you have an overall view and make appropriate choices.
Advantages
The advent of smart parking models has helped overcome the common limitations of traditional parking lots. In practice, this model brings the following outstanding advantages:
- Utilizing modern devices in vehicle entry-exit management operations ensures tight and efficient control.
- Each magnetic card has a unique code and is simultaneously stored with images captured by the camera, increasing absolute security and preventing vehicle theft.
- The smart parking system design is spacious and scientific, making parking and retrieving vehicles easy and quick, while saving operational manpower.
- Besides control operations, smart parking systems help manage parking revenue more effectively.
- Easy data extraction with high accuracy.
Disadvantages
Although smart parking systems offer many benefits and conveniences for both managers and users, certain limitations still exist in this system. Below are some disadvantages of smart parking systems that are being addressed:
- The smart parking design has many blind spots, making it difficult for drivers to find parking spots.
- Magnetic cards can be easily hacked and counterfeited if the system has vulnerabilities.
- The system cannot recognize blurred or deformed license plates, causing difficulties for vehicle owners.
Basic Components of a Smart Parking System
A smart parking system combines various modern devices, including smart cameras, automatic barriers, card readers, card issuing machines, smart vehicle detectors, computers, and control software. Each device has a specific function, helping to ensure tight, effective, and safe entry-exit control.
Smart Cameras
Currently, smart cameras installed in parking systems use AI technology, particularly in 24/7 online surveillance solutions to ensure monitoring, recording, and warning of illegal activities. The system includes two cameras with different functions:
- License Plate Camera: Reads and records license plate images. This device can clearly see license plates even in low light conditions, thanks to advanced technologies such as AI, IoT, or Big Data.
- Panoramic Camera: Monitors the overall parking area, including drivers and vehicles entering and exiting.
Automatic Barriers
In smart parking systems, automatic barriers are designed before speed bumps to alert drivers to slow down. The device is integrated with sensors that automatically open and close flexibly, making it easy to regulate parking lot activities. Currently, automatic barriers are commonly used in large-scale smart parking systems to ensure smooth operations, especially during peak hours.
Card Readers and Automatic Card Issuing Machines
Card readers and automatic card issuing machines are two important devices in smart parking systems, playing a crucial role in controlling the number of vehicles entering and exiting the parking lot. These devices include:
- Card Readers: Transmit signals from the card to the management software for data processing. These devices are divided into two types: fixed card readers (for two-wheeled vehicles) and remote card readers (for cars).
- Automatic Card Issuing Machines: Often used in free parking lots. Drivers only need to take a card from the machine to enter the parking lot.
Although automatic card issuing machines provide convenience and save operational manpower costs, they do not ensure safety in controlling vehicles and activities at the parking lot. Many current smart parking systems combine card issuing machines in the operation process to create convenience while ensuring safety. The machine is placed at the entrance, and drivers only need to press a button to take a card and enter the parking lot. However, at the exit, the card is still read by staff to match information previously recorded by the camera and saved into the system.
Smart Vehicle Detectors
Smart vehicle detectors are equipped with various sensor technologies to accurately count the number of vehicles in the parking lot. These devices also help users identify vacant spots, facilitating drivers to find suitable parking spaces without wasting time.
Computers and Data Control Software
Computers and control software are usually placed at the entry-exit card scanning area of the system, controlling data and supporting parking lot management activities. Information such as the number of vehicles entering and exiting the lot, overall area images, and fees are displayed on the main screen, helping to regulate and control vehicle numbers tightly and safely. Depending on the smart parking system design and the investor’s needs, the software will be set up to suit and help the system operate most effectively.
Other Accessories
Besides the basic devices mentioned above, a stable smart parking system operation also requires the support of several accessories:
- Lane Barriers: Help regulate vehicles to the correct lanes, allowing the camera system to accurately recognize license plates.
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply): Provides backup power in case of sudden power outages, preventing work interruptions.
- Speed Bumps: Ensure vehicles stop at the correct line, aiding cameras in capturing information.
- Magnetic Cards: Assist in managing vehicle entry and exit activities.
Why Build an Automated Parking Management System?
With convenience, safety, and efficiency, smart parking models are increasingly widely deployed. Reality has shown that this system brings many notable benefits, such as:
- Reducing traffic congestion and urban pollution.
- Helping drivers easily find suitable parking spots, avoiding sidewalk parking.
- Smart parking system design saves floor space by increasing height.
- Smart parking lots not only help cities become more spacious and civilized but also leave a good impression on visitors from outside the region.
Popular Smart Parking Models Today
With the increasing number of vehicles and parking needs, smart parking models are designed more diversely. This aims to meet the best parking needs and increase management and control efficiency at parking lots. Here are four popular smart parking models currently in use:
Smart Parking Model Managing One Lane
The one-lane smart parking system includes one license plate camera, one panoramic camera, and one card reader. This design is used in places with separate gates for cars or motorcycles, such as apartments and offices.
Smart Parking Model Managing Two Lanes
The two-lane smart parking model includes devices such as one motorcycle license plate camera, one car license plate camera, one panoramic camera, and one card reader. This model is commonly seen in parking lots with one entrance/exit, placed outdoors or in basements.
Smart Parking Model Managing Three Lanes
The three-lane smart parking model is equipped with two motorcycle license plate cameras, one car license plate camera, two panoramic cameras, and two card readers. This model is commonly used in parking lots with high vehicle turnover, such as shopping centers.
Smart Parking Model Managing Four Lanes
For the four-lane smart parking model, the parking lot has separate entrance and exit gates, equipped with six cameras and two card readers. The main system directly manages four lanes, including two car lanes and two motorcycle lanes. Two panoramic cameras are installed at the entrance and exit, with each panoramic camera shared by both motorcycle and car lanes.
Where to Use Safe and Reliable Parking Management System Installation Services?
Currently, SECOM is renowned as a leading security service provider from Japan. With many years of experience in this field, our services and solutions have earned the trust and high appreciation of numerous customers. Each comprehensive security solution by SECOM is carefully researched and suitable for all customer segments, from households to large enterprises.
Among them, SECOM’s gate management system installation service is of great interest to customers. This system is designed to optimize the management of people and vehicles entering and exiting through the main gates of buildings and parking lots, ensuring safety. Accordingly, the system only allows entry for those whose information has been previously registered, ensuring the area’s security and preventing uncontrolled vehicle traffic, while also helping users accurately retrieve entry and exit data.
When using SECOM’s solutions, customers can rest assured as our technical team and staff will enthusiastically advise on services according to customers’ needs and budgets. We are always ready to support customers in case of any incidents. Therefore, choose SECOM to accompany you in bringing a quality life and ensuring absolute security.
In conclusion, the above detailed information about smart parking systems is widely applied today. It can be seen that the emergence of this system has solved many issues for parking management, ensuring city aesthetics and providing convenience for every driver. Contact SECOM today if you are interested in our gate management system installation service or any other security service.
