An interview with our parking experts Sebastian Wolf and Stephan Wijnveld
What insights and outlooks were you able to take away from this year's APNE?
Stephan: In the short term, three key topics stand out:
- Ticketless parking – balancing environmental friendliness and user convenience.
- Barrier-less parking (free flow) – addressing challenges like payment enforcement and technical accuracy of license plate recognition.
- EVCharging – currently a premium service, not a priority at airports due to long-term parking.
For the long term, envisioning parking as part of mobility services, electric vertical take-off and landing transport, EV charging robots, AI in self-driving taxis/shuttles, and data analytics are key considerations.
What future topics are currently dominating the parking industry in terms of payment?
Sebastian: Dynamic Pricing, pre-booking with online payments, and the integration of value-added services/products like EV-Charging, Car Wash, Lounges, and Fast Track have emerged as significant trends.
The parking market is focussing on more than just transactions. It is moving towards improving the overall customer experience. Loyalty programmes are gaining traction, incentivising users and fostering lasting relationships.
In the evolving industry, the focus is on flexibility and convenience, with payment systems being customised to meet different customer needs. Parking management is entering an area where payments are no longer just transactions, but central components of a seamless and enriching parking experience.
To what extent can CCV contribute here with the CCV payment solutions currently available?
Stephan: CCV provides solutions for both physical payment devices and mobility/parking-operator apps or websites. Seamless integration for service payments is possible, with physical payment devices for parking and charging. CCV allows running third-party business applications on payment terminals for a user-friendly flow within existing parking systems.
How can CCV contribute to a successful future in Parking?
Sebastian: CCV facilitates various customer touchpoints, including reservation with online payment, on-site charging, and parking simultaneously. The ability to handle complex payment requests from a single source positions CCV as a crucial player.
Sustainability: What contribution can CCV make and how?
Sebastian: CCV contributes to sustainability by offering a ticketless or free-flow payment solution, reducing paper usage through the e-receipt functionality of CCV terminals.
Which topic did you like best at this year's APNE?
Stephan: Workshops provided a platform for open discussions, fostering shared learning from diverse experiences. The practical use of AI was particularly intriguing, offering opportunities that require adapted regulations.
Which practical example is the best for you and why?
Stephan: The presentation about the future encouraged a shift in thinking. The idea that "one is never ready" underscores the need for passion and innovation. The call to "stop making profit for the coming 5 years, but invest in tomorrow" resonates, emphasizing the importance of forward-looking investment.