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Glossary of Terms

Confused by all the terms floating around? We've put together a glossary to help you understand all aspects of car park management services.

Confused by all the terms floating around? We've put together a glossary to help you understand all aspects of car park management services. If anything's unclear, don't hesitate to contact us!

Access Control System (ACS)

An ACS is an electronic system that regulates vehicle entry and exit from a car park. It may use components like barriers, gates, and ANPR cameras.

ANPR / Automatic Number Plate Recognition

ANPR stands for Automatic Number Plate Recognition. It’s a technology that uses high-tech cameras to read licence plates, even in dimly lit areas. ANPR lets you control access, enforce parking rules, streamline payments, and even collect data to improve the car park experience.

Car Park Development

Car park development involves designing and constructing a parking facility that fits the specific site, meets the needs of potential users, and complements the surrounding area. It’s often a smart way for landowners to generate income from their unused space.

Car Park Management

Car park management is everything involved in overseeing the operation of a car park. It encompasses a variety of tasks, including:

  • Designing the layout to fit as many cars as possible while keeping traffic flowing.
  • Setting up and maintaining the system drivers use to pay, whether it's parking metres, pay-by-phone apps, or kiosks.
  • Patrolling the car park to deter crime and vandalism, issue tickets for parking violations, and manage access control systems.
  • Keeping the car park clean, well-lit, and well-maintained.
  • Using technology to improve efficiency, such as using ANPR for entry and exit or digital signs to show parking availability.

Ultimately, the goal of car park management is to create a safe, efficient, and profitable operation for the owner or operator.

Parking Charge

A parking charge is a notice issued to a driver/keeper for parking in a restricted area, obstructively, or exceeding the allowed time limit. If the driver/keeper does not pay the charge in time, an additional penalty fee may be imposed, and they could potentially face legal action. All Britannia parking charges are legally enforceable.

Privately Managed Car Park

A privately managed car park is a parking facility owned and run by a private company or individual, rather than the local council. Examples include car parks at shopping centres or hospitals. These car parks operate under their own terms and conditions, which are usually displayed onsite, unlike publicly managed car parks that follow government or local authority regulations.

Reporting

Reporting is the process of collecting and analysing data on your car park's operations, such as the number of cars using the facility and the number of season ticket holders over time. These reports let you assess your car park's current performance and identify areas for improvement.

Britannia's car park management service includes comprehensive reporting. Accessible through a central dashboard, our reports provide information on transactions, occupancy levels, dwell times, repeat versus new visitors, and revenue. We also offer consultation services to help you tell if you're adjusting your charges at the right time.

Season Ticket

A season ticket is a permit that allows a vehicle to park in a car park for an extended period, usually at a discounted rate compared to paying for individual parking sessions. Season tickets are especially popular among daily commuters who park in the same car park and residents in areas with limited on-street parking who need a guaranteed spot near their home.

Self-Ticketing Car Park Management

Self-ticketing allows private car park owners to manage parking violations themselves, without relying on parking attendants. Here's how it works:

  • Authorised personnel, such as security guards or property managers, download a self-ticketing app on their phones.
  • They can use this app to report vehicles that are parked in breach of the terms and conditions, whether it's due to not having a valid permit, overstaying, or parking in the wrong spot.
  • A Parking Charge is generated and sent to the vehicle owner by post, following the same process as a traditional attendant-issued ticket.

Self-ticketing offers a faster and more efficient method for issuing parking tickets, reducing the need for external enforcement agencies and potentially saving the car park owner money.

Signage

Car park signage is a system of signs designed to provide important information to drivers. Common types of signs include:

  • Pay point information
  • Maximum stay restrictions
  • Parking charge warnings
  • Hazard warnings for low clearances, narrow aisles, pedestrian crossings, etc.

All our signs comply with British Parking Association (BPA) standards. This means they’re clearly visible, easy to understand, and up to date with the latest regulations.

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