Home News Parking Guidance Solutions Can a 10% Increase in Usage Really Transform Your Parking Operation?

Can a 10% Increase in Usage Really Transform Your Parking Operation?

Parking Guidance Solutions 11.07.2025

Pie charts of a parking garage at 85% capacity and 95% capacity.

The Hidden Opportunity in Your Parking Garage

In dense urban areas, busy airports, growing healthcare campuses, and bustling university towns, parking facilities are under constant pressure to perform. Operators are tasked with maximizing space, delivering excellent customer experience, and maintaining profitability, all without constructing a new parking garage. So, where’s the room to grow?

According to the Kingston Car Parking Study by MRCagney, it’s already there.

Drivers often assume that busy areas will, by nature, be short on available parking. This study reveals drivers perceive a parking garage as “full” when it reaches 85% occupancy. But when an automated parking guidance system (APGS) is in place, that perception shifts. The same garage can reach 95% occupancy before drivers perceive the garage as “full”, effectively gaining an additional 10% in usage.

That change in perception drives real, measurable revenue. Drivers feel more confident they can find a spot.

“Boosting parking usage by only 10% can significantly increase revenue,” said Pete Messman, General Manager, North America, TKH Security. “Our parking management solution makes it easier for operators to achieve this goal through better use of space of existing facilities.”

The Power of a 10% Increase in Usage

While 10% may sound modest, it represents a powerful opportunity for growth, especially for paid facilities and locations under increasing demand. A modest 10% increase in usage of existing parking offers several benefits:

Increased Revenue: A higher utilization rate directly translates to increased revenue, which is crucial for facilities already near capacity. For example, a garage with $1M in annual revenue could add an additional $100,000 by adding an APGS.
Stronger ROI: Efficient use of existing parking spaces maximizes return on investment (ROI), avoiding the costs associated with building a new parking facility.
Improved Customer Experience: A better-managed parking system reduces the time drivers spend searching for spaces, enhancing their overall experience and likelihood of returning.

Why Garages Fall Short of Full

Without parking guidance technology, drivers often abandon their search if they don’t see an open space quickly. Poor visibility, unclear signage, and uneven distribution of demand lead to “phantom capacity”, spaces that are open but go unused. Operators are left with blind spots, empty bays that aren’t generating revenue, and frustrated drivers who may not return.

“In many cases, garages aren’t full; they just feel that way. The solution isn’t adding more spaces. It’s maximizing the ones you already have. Smart technology and real-time insights help identify inefficiencies and turn unused areas into revenue-generating assets. Ultimately, with the right approach, what might seem like challenges can actually become great opportunities to enhance usage, drive revenue, and keep your facility running at its best,” said Messman.

A Technology-Driven Solution to Capture the Lost 10%

The Park Assist Solution, an Automated Parking Guidance System (APGS), was created to eliminate those blind spots and increase occupancy across the board. According to the Kingston study, facilities without an automated parking guidance system peak around 85% occupancy. With an APGS in place, that number rises to 95%, a transformative jump in utilization, especially in paid or time-sensitive environments.

“Electronic guidance systems can significantly reduce circulation times, allowing well-designed multi-level car parks to operate efficiently, even at occupancy rates above 95%,” shared Messman.

How the Park Assist Solution Delivers Higher Utilization and Happier Parkers

Our Park Assist Solution combines smart sensors, signage, and software into a unified ecosystem designed to get more vehicles into your facility quickly and efficiently.

Space-by-Space Smart Sensors: At the heart of the solution is the M5 smart-sensor. The camera-based system is installed above the driving lane. Each sensor monitors up to six parking spaces, space by space, in real-time with 99%+ accuracy. Color-coded LEDs on the M5s allow for easy identification of available bays, eliminating guesswork for both operators and drivers.
Intelligent Wayfinding Signage: Integrated digital signage, installed at key decision points, directs traffic from facility entry to aisle to space. This reduces congestion, improves circulation, and maximizes the use of each level and zone.
Data-Driven Insights: Our INX platform turns parker behaviors into actionable data and insights. Operators can track occupancy trends, peak usage, and underutilized areas. This empowers operators to implement real-time strategy adjustments to optimize traffic flow, garage performance, and customer behavior.
Seamless Customer Experience: A parking guidance system reduces driver stress by leading them directly to available spaces. Less time searching means better first impressions, shorter time-to-park, and improved overall satisfaction. At Brisbane Airport, our system cut time-to-park by up to 63%.

Real-World Parking Guidance Success Stories

“Implementing an APGS has consistently helped facilities optimize space utilization and improve user experience. Our clients report increased occupancy rates and enhanced customer satisfaction, showcasing the real impact of our smart-sensor technology,” said Jeff Sparrow, Director of Sales, North America, TKH Security.

Across sectors, clients have used our APGS to reclaim unused capacity, boost efficiency, and improve user experience:

Airports: At Philadelphia International Airport and Detroit Metro Airport, the Park Assist Solution reduces search time and eases congestion during peak travel.
Casinos: Thunder Valley Resort Casino and Wind Creek Chicago Southland have eliminated the common stress of finding an available parking spot and replaced it with a seamless intuitive journey.
Healthcare: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and Abbott Northwestern Hospital use our system to help patients and visitors find parking quickly so they can concentrate on what matters most.
Universities: Central Connecticut State University improved enforcement and reduced complaints from students and staff.

It’s not About More Spaces. It’s About Smart Spaces.

“That 10% you’ve been missing? It’s already in your parking garage,” says Messman. “It’s all about maximizing existing facilities. With the right tools, what seems like a limitation becomes an opportunity.”

With rising urban density and evolving customer expectations, garage operators can’t afford to leave capacity on the table. The Park Assist Solution delivers the tools you need to park more vehicles, generate more revenue, and create a better experience, all without a capital project. Explore how our cutting-edge solutions can transform your operations and drive profitability.

Email info.us@tkhsecurity.com to learn more.