Over the past decade, advances made in parking technology have begun to find their way into some surprising industries. On some of my most recent trips, I have seen some familiar technology in one of the most unexpected places - public restrooms. From Baltimore, Maryland to Bastrop, Texas concepts once unique to parking are now being adopted in airports, gas stations, and other high-traffic facilities. The cross-over of ideas between industries is reshaping how people move, park, and navigate all kinds of  spaces. 

 

From Parking to Facilities: A Natural Evolution 

Parking technology has long been focused on visibility and flow. Digital stall counters, color-coded guidance lights, and license plate recognition systems have helped drivers make quicker decisions and reduced congestion. Facility managers, inspired by these successes, are now incorporating similar systems to monitor and manage public restrooms, the most highly trafficked area of travel centers.   

The key takeaway: visibility reduces friction. When customers, visitors, or staff can see where and what’s available they’re more likely to feel confident and satisfied with their experience. 

 

The Universal Challenge of Accuracy 

Despite these advances, both industries wrestle with the same fault point – accuracy. As customers become more dependent on these navigation tools across various experiences, expectations of accuracy will be on the rise. However, from my experience, the same struggle plagues the technology in any application. Just as I have witnessed in parking garages across the country, I have also witnessed inaccurate data displays and sensor failures in the public restroom application.   

 

Looking Ahead 

As the facilities industry continues to borrow from parking’s playbook, opportunities for innovation abound. Predictive analytics, AI-driven maintenance schedules, and integrated customer feedback loops can all help create better travel and mobility experiences. The only question I am left with is,  “How long until our mobility partners will develop a commode stall reservation platform?”