Parking Equipment That Takes Accessibility to New Heights
2 min read
Originally Published on Parking Industry Insights
Many leading organizations require parking pay stations to be accessible and usable by people with a range of physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities. As society continues to advance, this will become the standard across all organizations (as it should be).
Over the years leading global manufacturers for smart parking technology, such as Skidata, have been working diligently to provide customers with accessible solutions that organizations can count on to provide equal opportunity for the wide range of visitors they welcome to their facilities. Here’s how:
Touch operation: Usability is being optimized for customers through the elimination of mechanical controls in favour of on-screen touch controls.
User interface layout: Including large visual displays, that offer adjustable interaction points optimized for customers whether seated or standing.
Operating height controls: Certain controls such as ticket receptors, bill and coin acceptors, coin retrievals, keypad and payment card readers are positioned to adhere to accessible height standards.
Induction loop hearing: An audio system that’s compatible with Audio Frequency Induction Loop (AFIL) hearing aids to provide improved sound.
Symbols and graphics: International symbols of accessibility, raised lettering and graphics, braille, and other universal symbols to support effective interactions with the device.
Self-service interactive devices: Simplifying purchases through the use of online reservations, validations, and payment via mobile apps eliminated the need to pay for parking at pay stations and exits.
Contactless and cashless payment: Acceptance of tap-and-go mobile, credit card, and Interac payment methods, eliminating interactions such as card insertion, as well as pressing or turning buttons.
Call-for-assistance capabilities: Providing two-way video and voice interactions for customer assistance.
Dynamic display of information: Ease of identification is achieved using glare-free screens and signage, materials with characters and symbols that meet international accessibility standards, and bright levels of illumination and high colour-contrasts for instructions.
Accessible design is a top priority for leading parking equipment manufacturers and suppliers and is emerging as the new standard new standard for design and build.
References
Lato, L. (2020, September 15). Going Paperless: Is Ticketless Parking Right For You? [Web log post]. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from https://www.parkingindustry.ca/parking-technology/going-paperless-is-ticketless-parking-right-for-you
Sgorlon, A. (2020, August 24). Benefits of a Gated Parking System [Web log post]. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from https://www.parkingindustry.ca/parking-technology/benefits-of-a-gated-parking-system
Sgorlon, A. (2020, September 16). Parking Equipment That Takes Accessibility to New Heights [Web log post]. Retrieved April 14, 2021, from https://www.parkingindustry.ca/parking-technology/parking-equipment-that-takes-accessibility-to-new-heights
Technical Sales Support Manager, Precise ParkLink
