Waiting at a barrier, taking a ticket, keeping it safe, finding it again, queueing at the payment machine and then waiting at another barrier on the way out. Sound familiar? Barrier-free parking makes the process much simpler. Here's how it works and what it changes for drivers.
What is barrier-free parking?
In short: drive in, park, pay and drive out, without a barrier and without a paper ticket. Technology handles the process automatically in the background.
How does barrier-free parking work?
Step 1: drive in
When you enter, high-resolution cameras automatically record your licence plate and entry time in line with applicable data-protection requirements. Your parking session then starts automatically.
There is no need to stop at a barrier or collect a ticket, and no ticket to keep safe during your stay.
Important: the system does not continuously record video, and the people inside the vehicle are not the subject of the capture. Data is processed in line with the applicable requirements.
Step 2: park
Park as usual in an available space. There is no paper ticket to look after.
Step 3: pay
Before leaving, pay for your stay. The options depend on the parking location. The most common are:
- Pay at the machine: enter your licence plate and pay by cash, card or contactless payment, depending on the options available.
- Pay on your smartphone: scan the QR code displayed at the location, enter your licence plate and pay online. At parking locations operated by Mobility Hub, an app is generally not required and, where offered, you can still pay after leaving within the stated post-payment period, often up to 24 hours.
Choose the option that works best for you. Either way, there is no paper ticket to manage, while smartphone payment can save you a trip to the machine.
Step 4: drive out
Once your parking session has been paid, simply leave the parking area. There is no barrier to wait for on the way out either.
Three benefits of barrier-free parking
Drive in and out without stopping
Enter and leave without collecting or inserting a ticket. This can help reduce waiting times and queues.
No ticket to lose
Your licence plate identifies the parking session. There is no paper ticket to store, search for or lose.
Flexible payment
Depending on the location, pay at the machine or online on your smartphone.
How is your data protected?
A common question is: “What happens to my data when my licence plate is recorded?”
The data is used to manage the parking session and is retained only for as long as required for the relevant purpose and under the applicable rules.
For parking management, the system uses the licence plate and the entry and exit times. Any payment data is processed as part of the relevant payment process.
In particular:
- No continuous video surveillance: the system does not continuously record activity across the parking area.
- No identification of vehicle occupants: the capture is focused on the vehicle's licence plate.
- No keeper lookup during a normal parking session: keeper details are not needed when a parking session is completed normally.
In Germany, a keeper-data request to the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt can only be made in connection with a breach of the parking terms, for example non-payment or exceeding the maximum parking period.
Data is therefore used for the purposes needed to manage parking and, where necessary, an outstanding case.
What happens if you forget to pay?
Signs throughout the parking area explain how to pay, which tariffs apply and how the process works. Additional signs before the exit remind drivers to pay for their stay.
If you still leave without paying, many locations allow you to complete payment online on your smartphone within the stated post-payment period, often up to 24 hours after leaving.
In summary
Barrier-free parking simplifies the process: drive in without collecting a ticket, choose how you want to pay and leave without waiting for a barrier to open.
