All across the United States mask mandates have eased, allowing guests to enter bars, restaurants, gyms, businesses and retail establishments without wearing their masks and getting back to business as usual (sort of).
While no one is sure what the parking industry will look like post-COVID-19, we can surely agree on one thing: we won’t be going back to normal. What the future “new normal” will look like is difficult to forecast. There are a number of changing consumer behaviors we should consider:
- High demand for Contactless Payment technology
- Hybrid Remote/In-office employee patterns
- Decreasing COVID-19 exposure and increased dependence on personal vehicles
- Social Distancing and the resistance to crowds
- Expanding convenient drop off/pick up designated parking
- Public Safety
There are many issues that will arise in the near future, but we can all acknowledge making customers feel safe is of the highest priority. Here are a few solutions to help reinforce customer confidence.
Contactless Payment Best Practices
75% of Credit Card Reader failures are due to dirty terminals, it’s important to keep the terminals free of dirt, dust, and oils introduced from the environment and normal use. A working credit card terminal results in a successful and contactless transaction. Using cleaning kits on facility equipment once a week is good practice for equipment longevity. In the time it takes you to swipe a credit card or insert a dollar bill, you can clean your parking equipment.
More Cars returning to parking facilities
High-contact mass transportation creates an immediate challenge for people returning to work, school and play. If this trend continues, the past efforts to transition away from personal vehicle usage in favor of an alternative mass transportation options may take longer for the public to feel more comfortable accept. This could result in an increase in parking demand, rather than a decrease.
In this scenario, Parking facilities will need to increase safety precautions by implementing calmed traffic patterns. Speed bumps reduce vehicle speeds making parking lots safer for pedestrians and motorists, while Parking Stops can effectively stop cars from encroaching on walkways preventing hazards for pedestrians.
Graffiti Removal
For many people, the presence of graffiti implies the decline of security. Graffiti is estimated to negatively affect property values by as much as 15%. Graffiti adversely affects businesses. Many associate graffiti with the general decline of an area. Parking facilities often lose business because customers feel it is no longer safe with heightened fear of gang activity.
ParkingZone has an environmentally safe, natural cleaner for removing graffiti on coated/painted surfaces.
Returning to School Safely
After a year of no SCHOOL ZONE speed limits, it’s time to remind motorists that school is in session and students will be using crosswalks. Returning to in-school classes is educationally important and it’s imperative to provide additional signage.
One solution is the Ped-in-a-Bag™ crosswalk sign package that was designed by school crossing guards. It’s easy to transport and deploy. This unit is ideal for school zone crosswalks frequented by children.
No matter what the “new normal” will be, changing consumer behaviors have occurred. For over a year, we’ve endured isolation, masks, and social distancing. Those and many more have become commonplace in our daily lives, and habits are hard to break. Someday, maybe entering a grocery store without a mask won’t make you feel guilty.
ParkingZone is proud to supply the parking industry with the best products available. Call us at 1-800-292-7275, chat with us from our website, or message us online if you have any questions about your needs and challenges. We are available from 8am to 5pm PST, Monday through Friday.
