Part 13: Parking control

Last updated: December 2007. This document ceases to be a controlled document when printed. Please refer to the current version at www.landtransport.govt.nz

9  Parking furniture

9.1  Fee-based systems

There are many different types of fee-paying systems and machines to control parking, including parking meters and vending machines (such as Pay and Display). These types of fee-paying systems are typically provided at on-street parking spaces, whilst off-street fee-paying systems include paying on entry/exit and paying on foot with access/exit controls provided.

9.1.1  On-street parking

Parking meters

Parking meters allow individual parking bays to be paid for with the available remaining time limit for each space shown on the parking meter. They can be provided on an individual parking bay basis by locating the parking meter adjacent to the car parking space, or for a collection or group of parking spaces through the use of a centralised parking meter.

igns to indicate parking restrictions do not need to be installed if parking is controlled by parking meters that are located at, or adjacent to, each parking space. In such cases, meters must have the information pertaining to parking limits and fees attached to the meter. Accordingly, parking spaces controlled by a centralised parking meter not adjacent to a parking bay need to be signed as being a parking meter controlled area – with signage at the start and end of the parking restriction as well as repeater signs as appropriate.

Types of parking meter include:

• Mechanical – Mechanical meters are the traditional-style meter that shows the time available. They are no longer widely installed since the introduction of electronic type systems. The main features are:
  • each parking space can have its own meter, either single or double headed
  • enforcement is effective but labour intensive
  • easy to use and convenient to drivers and parking officials.
• Electronic – These are conventional parking meters with electronic systems. They can be used in the same way as mechanical meters; however, information regarding parking rates and usage can be recorded, and tokens used instead of coins. The main features are:
  • rates can be easily alteredtokens can be accepted
  • data is stored within the system.

Vending machines

Defined spaces

These devices service a number of different car parking spaces. The driver must select the appropriate space when paying. The devices:

• can cater for 1–20 spaces
• contain information with which to undertake audits
• have reduced maintenance and labour costs
• can be used with card readers and other communication facilities.

Pay and Display

Pay and Display machines are a common form of payment system used in large areas. The system operates with the driver paying the machine and then displaying the vended ticket in view of enforcement officers within the vehicle. They can service a large number of vehicle spaces, most likely up to 20 spaces or more per machine.

The machines can:

• provide auditing of cash received
• pre-programme rate and time changes
• have cash security
• be used with card readers and other communication facilities, such as cellphone payment systems.

Signs to indicate parking restrictions using a centralised Pay and Display vending machine need to be signed as being a Pay and Display controlled area – with signage at the start and end of the parking restriction, as well as repeater signs as appropriate (see table 9.1 and figure 9.1).

Table 9.1 Angle parking with centralised parking meter or vending machine

Type of restriction	Sign No. (TCD Specifications)	Use	Sign example
Zone parking by payment	P4-9.1	To indicate the type of fee payment system in place over the length of the road

Figure 9.1 Angle parking with centralised parking meter or vending machine

9.1.2      Off-road parking controls

Commonly used methods of control for off-street car parks include vending machines (Pay and Display) or drivers obtaining a ticket on entry to the car park and then paying either:

• at the exit when leaving the car park; or
• at a central fee-paying machine on foot prior to leaving the car park (and being provided with a token to permit egress from the car park).

Such systems require access and exit control mechanisms to be in place.

9.2  Access and exit controls

9.2.1  Barrier arms

Barrier arms are generally needed where some form of control is required over fee-paying systems in off-road parks.

9.2.2  Bollards

Use of individual car parking bays can be controlled through the use of bollards that can be raised or dropped by the authorised user to allow access.

9.3  Locations of types of parking systems

Care should be taken in the design and placement to ensure that access by all road users (including the disabled – see section 4.3) is possible and the location is secure. It is important people parking their vehicle do not have to go out of their way to pay for parking.

Accordingly, it is recommended that centralised parking meters and Pay and Display vending machines that serve a number of parking spaces be located no more than equivalent to six parallel parking bays apart. That is, each central parking meter or Pay or Display machine is to serve a preferred maximum equivalent to three parallel parking bays either side.

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