How to Set Up a Parking Lot for Parklio™ Parking Payment Machines: A Complete Guide to Layout and Wiring

Setting up a parking payment system involves far more than simply installing a parking payment machine — it’s about designing a reliable, efficient, and user-friendly infrastructure. Based on our hands-on experience with Parklio™ product installations, this guide walks you through everything we’ve learned about planning, wiring, and setting up your parking site the right way — helping you avoid costly mistakes and ensuring a professional result from day one.

While this guide outlines most standard cases, every parking lot is different — and adjustments may be required based on local conditions or operational needs. Please note that this guide applies exclusively to Parklio™ products. All illustrations referenced are indicative only and not drawn to scale. Depending on your specific location and regulatory environment, certain modifications may be necessary. Always engage certified professionals to carry out the work, as Parklio™ does not assume liability for third-party installations.

1. Parking Layout: Core Parking Payment Machine Setup

The way your parking lot is structured directly affects how well the system functions, including usability, traffic flow, and system reliability. For optimal results, we recommend a standard layout that includes an entry parking machine with a gate barrier and an exit parking payment machine with a gate barrier, creating a logical and controlled vehicle flow that minimizes misuse and forms the foundation of a secure, automated parking system. This configuration is illustrated in the diagram below (Image 1.).

Here’s how it works: as a vehicle approaches the entry point, it triggers Entry Loop 1, prompting the parking payment machine to issue a parking ticket. Once the ticket is taken, the gate barrier opens. After the vehicle passes over Entry Loop 2, the system confirms the lane is clear and resets for the next user. The same logic applies at the exit — with loop sensors ensuring controlled movement and preventing misuse.

To ensure pedestrian safety, photocells can be installed to automatically stop the gate arm if someone walks underneath it. In the absence of photocells, make sure to install clear and visible signage warning pedestrians to proceed with caution near the gate.

For easier servicing and faster maintenance, the gate barrier should always be installed with its service door facing outward.

Also read: Top 10 Parking Payment Machines | 2025 Buyer’s Guide

1.1. Top View: Recommended Positioning and Spacing of the Parking Payment System

Proper placement of components is essential for smooth system operation, accurate vehicle detection, and long-term maintainability.

From an overhead perspective, aim to leave approximately 265 centimeters between the parking machine and its corresponding gate barrier. This spacing gives drivers enough room to align their vehicles properly and interact with the parking payment machine without difficulty or obstruction. 

If your site allows for it, we strongly recommend installing a concrete island at least 50 centimeters wide to support the parking payment machines and gate barriers. This setup keeps all key components centralized, improves stability, and makes future maintenance far more straightforward. When placing coils, position them about 35 centimeters from the island — or 45 centimeters from the parking machine if you’re not using an island. Each coil should measure approximately 80 centimeters in length and 160 centimeters in width, and should be accurately aligned with both the parking machine and the gate barrier arm to ensure reliable detection.

Finally, to maintain system stability and avoid signal interference, try to maintain a minimum spacing of 75 centimeters between the entry gate barrier and exit parking machine, as well as between the exit gate barrier and entry parking machine. While these measurements reflect best practices, they may be adjusted to suit your parking lot’s specific layout and conditions.

1.2. Side View: Height and Accessibility Guidelines of the Parking Payment System

When setting up your parking system, don’t overlook the importance of vertical placement as it has a direct impact on both usability and accessibility. To ensure drivers can interact comfortably with the equipment, make sure screens, buttons, and scanners are installed at a height between 95 and 105 centimeters. This range aligns well with the average driver’s side window, allowing for smooth, intuitive operation.

If you're installing a Pay-on-Foot parking machine, elevate it by an additional 30 centimeters to keep it clearly visible and easy to access. Using a dedicated Parklio™ pedestal is the most efficient way to maintain the correct height and alignment. Should you opt for a concrete island, aim for a height between 10 and 20 centimeters to provide a secure and stable mounting surface. And if space or site conditions make an island impractical, you can always rely on pedestals to achieve the necessary elevation without compromising functionality.

2. Wiring the Parking Payment System: Understanding Power, Communication, and Sensor Connections

Correct wiring is critical to the performance, safety, and reliability of your Parklio™ system. Each component — from gates and loops to parking machines and photocells — requires specific cable types, power ratings, and connection methods. In this section, you’ll find detailed wiring recommendations based on typical installation setups, designed to help you ensure stable operation and minimize future maintenance. As always, verify all wiring choices with local regulations and licensed professionals before installation.

2.1. Powering the Parking Gate Barrier

To power each gate barrier, you’ll need a stable electrical connection with the correct specifications. In most cases, Parklio™ gate barriers operate on a 230V supply in Europe or 115V in the United States, with a maximum power draw of 350W.

If the distance between your power source and the gate barrier is no more than 20 meters, a PGP 3x1.5mm² cable will typically meet the necessary safety and performance standards. However, if you’re working with longer runs or operating in regions with different electrical codes, we recommend consulting a qualified electrician to determine the appropriate cable type and thickness for your specific setup.

2.2. Wiring the Detection Loops

Detection loops are a key part of accurate vehicle detection and flow control. These loops need to be connected using 1.5mm² single-core flexible cable, twisted according to the Parklio™ user manual to prevent interference and ensure accurate readings.

For entry, Entry Loop 1 connects directly to the Entry Terminal, while Entry Loop 2 should be routed through the Entry Gate Barrier before reaching the Entry parking machine. The same logic applies at the exit: Exit Loop 1 connects directly to the Exit Terminal, and Exit Loop 2 is routed through the Exit Gate barrier first, then forwarded to the exit parking machine (see Image 1.). This setup minimizes unnecessary digging and reduces infrastructure complexity.

If your parking site isn’t suitable for loops, you can replace them with other types of presence sensors — as long as they meet your operational requirements.

2.3. Connecting the Photocells

Photocells are optional but highly recommended in areas with pedestrian traffic. These safety sensors prevent the gate arm from lowering when someone is beneath it. To connect each photocell, use a 2x0.5mm² power cable and wire it directly to the corresponding gate barrier. Also you can use a battery powered version, but if you are building the parking lot from scratch it makes sense to set infrastructure for wired version of photocells.

2.4. Supplying Power and Data to the Parking Payment Machine

Each parking payment machine in your system — whether at the entry, exit, or Pay-on-Foot station — requires its own dedicated power supply. Like the gates, parking payment machines operate on 230V in Europe and 115V in the U.S., with a maximum load of 200 Watts. For cable distances of up to 20 meters, PGP 3x1.5mm² cable is typically sufficient. If you’re working with longer distances, consult an expert to ensure voltage drop isn’t an issue.

For network connectivity, all parking machines must be linked within the same Ethernet subnet. Use CAT5e or higher-grade Ethernet cables to ensure stable communication across the system. Pay-on-Foot and exit parking payment machines require two CAT5e cables each to enable all system functionalities, so make sure the infrastructure is planned in advance.

When it comes to gate control, the parking payment machine needs to communicate with the gate barrier to send open/close commands and receive status feedback. This connection should be made using an 8x0.5mm² signal cable, and the total length should not exceed 10 meters for optimal signal integrity.

2.5. ANPR Integration

If you're looking to enable advanced access control and move toward a fully ticketless setup, you can easily integrate Parklio™ ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras into your parking operation. The ANPR camera is mounted directly onto the gate barrier housing and positioned to capture license plates as vehicles approach. It connects via a single PoE (Power over Ethernet) cable, which supplies both power and network access — minimizing cabling and simplifying setup.

Final Checklist and Next Steps

By this point, you’ve seen how the right setup — from component positioning to wiring details — directly impacts the success of your parking system. This isn’t just about getting parking machines and gates in the ground; it’s about setting up a foundation that supports smooth daily operations and scales with your future needs. This is one of the standard parking setups for payment machines — whether ticketless or custom-made, it can be tailored to match your specific requirements.

Before installation begins, double-check your layout plan, confirm all wiring specs with certified professionals, and make sure the infrastructure matches the product requirements. A little preparation goes a long way in preventing delays and reducing long-term maintenance.

Need support or tailored advice for your site? The Parklio™ team is here to help you get it right from the start.