Network connectivity is becoming increasingly vital to the parking industry because it enables seamless integration of real-time data, payment processing, and automated services. Connected systems allow operators to monitor occupancy, dynamically adjust pricing, and provide contactless entry and payment options. These networked solutions ultimately enhance the customer experience while optimizing operational efficiency, leading to more sustainable and cost-effective parking management.
We typically recommend separating the parking system’s network from the building’s office network. This approach boosts security, minimizes cross-network congestion, and reduces operational risk. While an outage in the building’s network might disrupt day-to-day office work, it usually doesn’t create a critical sense of urgency. In contrast, a network failure in the parking system can directly lead to a havoc of user complaints, long queues at entry and exit lanes, and interruptions in payment processing. By isolating the parking network, operators can implement targeted redundancies, maintain tighter control over upgrades and maintenance, and ensure critical parking services continue to run smoothly even if other parts of the building’s infrastructure encounter problems.
Although parking may be described as being “inside” a building or constructed as part of its structure, it is not truly considered an indoor component. Cars are typically parked outdoors or in semi-outdoor areas, so the parking network is subject to more variable and harsher conditions compared with a fully indoor, controlled office environment.
For simplicity, we refer to the office network as an indoor network and the parking network as an outdoor network. Below is an overview of how indoor and outdoor networks differ in their environments, equipment considerations, installation strategies, and maintenance requirements, followed by best practices often recommended for outdoor networks:
1. Environmental Conditions
Indoor Network (Office)
– Controlled environment: Temperature, humidity, and physical conditions are usually stable.
– Less physical risk: Equipment is typically installed within walls, racks, or cabinets, protecting it from weather, direct sunlight, and windblown debris.
– Lower wear and tear: Indoor APs (Access Points), switches, and cables experience fewer exposure-related failures.
Outdoor Network (Parking)
– Variable and harsher environment: Sunlight, temperature extremes (heat or freezing cold), rain, snow, dust, humidity, and wind.
– Risk of lightning strikes: Especially in open or tall structures, making grounding and lightning arrestors essential.
– Physical enclosure: Outdoor devices must be sealed against moisture and dust (e.g., IP-rated enclosures).
2. Distance and Coverage
Indoor Network (Office)
– Shorter range: Walls, furniture, and other obstacles limit how far signals can travel.
– Denser AP placement: Often multiple indoor access points are needed to ensure coverage for multiple floors or rooms.
Outdoor Network (Parking)
– Longer range: Outdoor APs or antennas are often designed for extended distances, such as in campus environments or point-to-point bridging between buildings.
– Line-of-sight: Obstacles like trees or buildings can reduce coverage. Elevated or strategically placed antennas help maintain strong links.
3. Hardware and Equipment
Indoor Network (Office)
– Standard APs and switches: Typically need only basic ventilation and minimal weather protection.
– Power over Ethernet (PoE): Commonly used for powering devices through Ethernet cabling.
Outdoor Network (Parking)
– Ruggedized/waterproof APs: Certified for outdoor use (e.g., IP66, IP67).
– High-gain or directional antennas: Often required for large outdoor spaces or stable backhaul links.
– Grounding and surge protection: Crucial to defend against lightning and power surges.
4. Installation and Mounting
Indoor Network (Office)
– Easy to mount: APs can be installed on drop ceilings or walls with minimal extra hardware.
– Cable management: Typically involves running cables through walls, ceilings, or structured cabling systems.
Outdoor Network (Parking)
– Sturdy mounting hardware: Poles, towers, or exterior building mounts that can withstand wind and vibrations.
– Cable runs: Must use outdoor-rated cables or conduit to protect against UV light, moisture, and physical damage.
– Accessibility: Outdoor equipment may be mounted at heights, so installation and servicing may require specialized gear (lifts, ladders, safety harnesses).
5. Security and Interference
Indoor Network (Office)
– Less RF interference: Although there may be competing indoor networks, interference sources are generally predictable.
– Physical security: Equipment is usually in locked rooms or cabinets, reducing the risk of theft or vandalism.
Outdoor Network (Parking)
– Greater RF interference: Weather conditions and other wireless signals (e.g., public hotspots, industrial equipment, passing vehicles) can disrupt outdoor links.
– Vandalism/theft risk: Publicly accessible equipment may require additional protection (cages, secure enclosures, surveillance).
6. Maintenance and Monitoring
Indoor Network (Office)
– Easier routine checks: Equipment is more accessible for troubleshooting.
– Centralized management: Devices connect to existing LANs with stable power and minimal external disruptions.
Outdoor Network (Parking)
– Higher maintenance: Harsh weather necessitates more frequent inspections.
– More frequent network monitoring: Environmental factors, seasonal changes, and hardware stress require proactive checks.
– Back-up power: Outdoor nodes sometimes need solar or battery backup where grid power is limited or unstable.
Extra Care for Outdoor Networks (Parking networks)
For a smooth and stable parking operation, we recommend designing the parking network to withstand outdoor conditions by considering the following points:
1. Use Ruggedized Hardware
– Select equipment certified for outdoor use (e.g., IP66 or IP67). These devices can withstand dust, moisture, rain and temperature variations.
2. Lightning Protection and Grounding
– Install proper grounding and surge protectors on masts, towers, and cables to protect equipment (and people) from lightning strikes.
– Ensure the entire installation, from the antenna to the power supply, adheres to local electrical codes and best practices.
3. Appropriate Antenna Selection and Placement
– Use directional or high-gain antennas for bridging or long-range coverage.
– Maintain line-of-sight whenever possible by installing antennas clear of obstructions (e.g., trees, building corners).
4. Weatherproof Enclosures and Cable Management
– Use sealed, weatherproof enclosures for PoE injectors, routers, or junctions if they aren’t already outdoor-rated.
– Employ outdoor-rated cables that resist UV damage and moisture.
– Ensure cable glands are tight and add drip loops to divert water away from device entries.
5. Regular Inspections
– Check for water ingress, loose mounting hardware, worn seals, or cable damage.
– Clean antenna surfaces to remove debris or corrosion.
6. Stable Power and Backup Options
– Use surge protectors on power lines.
– Consider battery or solar power solutions where grid power is unstable or unavailable.
7. Network Management Tools
– Use monitoring software that can send alerts if an outdoor AP goes down or performance degrades—particularly useful when equipment is mounted at height.
– Enable logging and analytics to diagnose intermittent environmental issues (e.g., interference from nearby sources or weather-related signal degradation).
8. Physical Security (for parking equipment as well)
– Deter tampering or vandalism with locked enclosures, security screws, or tamper-resistant housings.
– Consider surveillance cameras where theft or vandalism is a concern.
Conclusion
Office networks (indoor) benefit from stable, controlled environments, whereas parking networks (outdoor) endure tougher conditions—exposure to temperature extremes, weather, potential theft or vandalism, and longer coverage distances. Extra care for outdoor networks includes using ruggedized hardware, careful mounting and cable management, robust grounding and lightning protection, and regular inspections to ensure reliability and safety. By employing proper enclosures, surge protection, and proactive monitoring, organizations can keep their parking (outdoor) networks performing well under changing and challenging conditions.