Managing airport parking requires a delicate balance. Revenue is always a factor, but security has to come first. Add in customers who demand a smooth experience, and parking gets complex. Video surveillance with a data driven approach can help – from minimizing threats to streamlining payment.

Security breaches at airport parking areas

With thousands of cameras across terminals, gates, and parking garages, even the best of security teams can get overwhelmed by the steady stream of video feeds. It is no surprise that after 20 minutes, almost 90% of important footage goes unnoticed. So much information makes it difficult to focus on what is essential. Unfortunately, this can lead to security breaches, especially in parking areas. In 2019 for instance, a series of stolen vehicles were reported near Midway International Airport in Chicago. The thieves were never found.

Collection of Metadata: Evaluation in real-time and over longer periods

Intelligent cameras are a practical tool for preventing such incidents. By managing the flood of information and providing actionable insight, video analytics allow security managers to evaluate their airport parking area in real time. Security cameras with integrated video analytics attach a layer of metadata to video feeds. This data also simplifies decision making for new security measures. Over longer periods of time, managers can measure and analyze various aspects of airport parking to identify vulnerabilities. By knowing where loiterers gather near unattended vehicles, for instance, security teams can implement safety precautions like improved lighting and an increase in security guards in the area.

Improved experience for security teams

Video analytics go beyond security to improve the overall parking experience – for both customers and security teams. Analytics help operators monitor health and safety regulations, such as no parking zones, blocked emergency exits, or people entering/exiting through an emergency exit. At curbside drop-off and pickup, machine learning algorithms can detect and alert law enforcement when vehicles remain parked beyond the maximum time limit. Or operators can receive notifications to check the situation on the ground.

Improved parking experience for passengers

Improved workflows for security teams make an impact on how customers experience the parking process itself. With an optimized traffic flow passengers can find a free parking spot quicker. Thanks to notification systems, passengers find spots more easily by using a mobile app or following displays which direct them to open spaces. The system even accounts for the distance to the closest exit, so passengers can leave the parking area – and come back to find their car – as quickly as possible.


read more about using video analytics to streamline airport parking security on the Bosch website.