How to Effectively Monitor “No Stopping” Parking Areas

Published: 19/07/2023

If you’re a landowner or a parking manager for private land, “no stopping” areas can be an effective way of keeping critical spaces free from obstructions. However, it’s hard to know the best way to monitor those areas, especially if there are multiple points you need to keep an eye on. For example, in the retail and leisure industry, you might need to monitor customer-facing areas to prevent traffic blockages and also commercial areas, like loading bays. In this article, we’ll be diving into why no stopping areas are so important and comparing two different methods of enforcing them: with parking attendants and with cameras.

Why is no stopping an issue for landowners?

Unauthorised parking on private land is a long-standing issue for businesses and property owners, but it’s difficult for landowners to enforce "no stopping" regimes effectively. Some of the issues that unauthorised parking can cause include:

• Blocked entrances and exits. This is especially bad for homeowners who just want to enter or leave their homes.
• Inconvenience to tenants and customers. Landowners prohibit parking in some areas because it makes it difficult to navigate.
• Hindering access to emergency vehicles. It is crucial emergency vehicles are able to get in and out of a property. It could be the difference between life and death.

To address the problem of no stopping or no parking regime enforcement, new technologies have had to adapt. For example, the use of cameras to track no stopping areas to deter unauthorised parking is becoming a popular option.

How do no stopping cameras work?

Landowners can place cameras strategically around no stopping areas to capture offending vehicles. That includes areas like loading bays, car park entrances, and disabled spaces.

Unauthorised parking in these areas can cause significant inconvenience. It’s incredibly disrespectful to disabled motorists to use their spaces dishonestly, and can cause distress. Meanwhile, unauthorised parking in loading areas prevents trucks and lorries from doing their job, disrupting an entire business' workflow.

No stopping cameras can track and analyse images of vehicles in real-time, allowing them to automatically detect guilty vehicles. Landowners or enforcement agencies can then use the data collected by the cameras to issue parking charges. This makes the process of no stopping determent much easier, and can help to maintain the safety and accessibility of private land.

Why are no stopping cameras better than parking attendants?

In contrast, having a parking attendant on the ground to check on no stopping areas comes with a number of drawbacks. Here are just a few of the problems with using attendants rather than cameras.

Parking attendants can be expensive

Hiring a parking attendant to manually observe no stopping spaces can be incredibly expensive for little pay-off. Since the primary goal is determent, in the best-case scenario enforcement is just another expense you’ll have to add to your bottom line.

Cameras using ANPR technology and other automated systems do come with their own costs, but they’re significantly cheaper than an additional staff member. The up-front cost of installing cameras and their ongoing maintenance pales in comparison.

Cameras help to mitigate human error

In addition, camera technology will be much more efficient at detecting no stopping violations. Parking attendants can’t be everywhere at once, and because of this, some violations will inevitably slip through the cracks.

On the other hand, cameras can be installed to monitor every crucial no stopping space at once; they can also be active for 24 hours a day, monitoring through the night to prevent all violations. Technology is becoming more and more reliable for enforcing no stopping regimes and will make sure to deter drivers from bad practises.

Cameras are less confrontational

Another significant benefit is that cameras are much less confrontational when monitoring no stopping zones. The presence of a parking attendant alone can escalate disputes in the blink of an eye; drivers can easily become agitated over parking disputes and blow the situation well out of proportion. When a fine is involved, this is even more likely.

The biggest issue with confrontation is the unsafe and uncomfortable atmosphere it can create for customers, employees, and tenants. If you’re a business owner, this could affect the perception of your business, whereas homeowners don’t want unnecessary confrontation on their doorstep. Cameras create a more peaceful, safer environment for those around the no stopping zone and allow disputes to be dealt with in a more reasonable way.

No stopping enforcement with Total Parking Solutions

The use of cameras and ANPR systems to monitor no stopping or parking on private land is more effective and affordable than using parking attendants. It allows landowners to maintain the accessibility and safety of their premises with a reduced risk of confrontation and escalation. With the help of new technologies, no stopping enforcement can be taken to the next level.

If you’re a property or business owner and you’re looking to improve the efficiency of your no stopping regimes, Total Parking Solutions is here to help. We provide a number of no stopping and limited waiting solutions, and work directly with you to make sure our suggestions suit your circumstances and budget. To find out more, feel free to contact us on 01536 680 107 or send an email to [email protected].