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Parking Machine

Looking for a parking machine with or without barrier gates? Parking BOXX manufactures both gated and non-gated parking machines — choose the right system for your facility layout, traffic volume, and revenue goals.

Parking BOXX parking machine at a commercial lot

Parking Machines Without Barrier Gates

Walk-up parking machines allow payment for Pay & Display, Pay By License, or Pay By Space — with no barrier gates to control access to the lot. Parkers enter, park, then pay.

  • Pay & Display — A receipt is placed on the dashboard of the vehicle so that Parking Enforcement Officers can easily enforce violations
  • Pay By Space — The parker enters the space number where they parked, then pays. Enforcement Officers can print Valid Space or Empty Space reports to monitor violations
  • Pay By License — The parker enters their license plate, then pays. Enforcement Officers view valid license reports from the machine, online, or on their citation writer

Non-gated machines are scalable and suitable for small surface lots, event parking, or facilities adding paid parking for the first time without major infrastructure investment.

Parking Payment Machines With Barrier Gates

Parking systems with barrier gates control ingress and egress for a parking lot. Gated parking machines are generally more secure because vehicles cannot exit without completing payment or presenting authorized credentials.

A Flat-Rate Parking System is the most basic gated configuration — flat-rate payment on entry or exit. In a two-lane setup (one entry lane, one exit lane), only one lane requires a payment machine. The other has a barrier gate that opens when a vehicle is detected, preventing wrong-way drive-outs without requiring payment in that lane.

A Full-Featured Parking System charges based on time in the lot rather than a flat rate. A ticket prints upon entry; at exit, a fee is charged based on time spent. This system can incorporate unattended payment, attended payment, intercoms, access cards, validations, parking reservations, and many other features.

Choosing the right parking machine is the first step toward creating an efficient and secure parking operation. Whether you require a system with barrier gates or a walk-up machine for open lot payment, the ideal solution depends on your facility's layout, traffic volume, and revenue goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a parking pay machine?
A parking pay machine is a self-service device that collects parking fees from drivers at surface lots, garages, or on-street locations. Drivers interact with the machine to select their duration or scan their ticket, pay by card or cash, and receive confirmation — without any attendant present. Parking BOXX manufactures parking pay machines in several configurations for both gated and open-lot facilities across North America.
How does a parking payment machine work?
In a gated facility, a driver takes a ticket at entry. Before leaving, they bring their ticket to the payment machine, which reads the barcode, calculates the fee based on time elapsed, and collects payment. The machine validates the ticket, and the exit gate opens automatically when the paid ticket is scanned. In an open lot without gates, the driver enters their license plate or space number, selects a duration, and pays — no gate required.
What is the difference between a parking machine with and without barrier gates?
A parking machine with barrier gates physically controls access — vehicles cannot enter or exit without a valid credential or completed payment, making the system fully revenue-secured. A parking machine without barrier gates (pay and display, pay by plate, or pay by space) collects payment but relies on enforcement rather than physical control to prevent non-payment. Open-lot machines cost less to install and require no infrastructure for gate arms, but they depend on a consistent enforcement program.
What is a parking validation machine?
A parking validation machine is a device that applies a discount or free-exit credit to a parking ticket. It is used by merchants, hotels, hospitals, or event organizers to reduce or waive the parking fee for qualifying customers or visitors. The machine scans the parking ticket barcode and links a preconfigured discount rule to that ticket record. When the driver exits, the pay station automatically applies the validated amount. Parking BOXX offers both attended and self-service validation machines.
What payment methods do parking machines accept?
Parking BOXX parking machines accept EMV chip credit and debit cards, contactless tap-to-pay (including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Interac), and cash (bills and coins with change dispensed on cash-capable models). All machines are PCI-certified and support license plate recognition for plate-linked payment accounts. No mobile app is required for standard card transactions — drivers tap or insert their card and go.
What is a pay and display parking machine?
A pay and display parking machine collects the parking fee upfront and prints a time-stamped receipt the driver displays on the dashboard. Enforcement officers verify compliance by checking the displayed receipt against the parking zone's time window. Pay and display machines require no barrier gates or exit hardware, making them the lowest-infrastructure option for surface lots, event parking, and short-term on-street applications.
Can a parking machine read license plates instead of tickets?
Yes. Parking BOXX parking machines support license plate recognition (LPR) as an alternative to paper tickets. When LPR is active, the entry camera reads the plate on arrival and the system uses the plate as the session identifier. At the payment machine or exit lane, the driver enters their plate number or the camera reads it automatically — no ticket to keep or lose. LPR is popular for facilities that want to eliminate ticket costs and the friction of lost-ticket charges.
How much does a parking machine cost?
A standalone parking machine for an open surface lot starts around $3,000–$8,000 depending on payment options and connectivity. A gated system with entry ticket dispenser, pay-on-foot kiosk, and exit lane terminal typically ranges from $15,000 to $50,000+ installed, depending on lane count and features. Parking BOXX sells direct as a manufacturer, which removes the distributor margin that typically adds 20–40% to equipment costs. Request a free itemized quote at 1-800-518-1230 or online.

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