For those going back to an office after working remotely during the pandemic or adapting to a hybrid approach, the commute may be a big adjustment. In this environment, the commute can be seen as an extension of the workplace, and employers can take steps to simplify and enhance the commuter experience using new innovative tools. An increasing number of employers are becoming aware of this and are looking for solutions to better support employees who commute. A collaboration between Genetec and RideAmigos has resulted in a solution that can help.
Overall employee experience now includes the commute
Leaders at large organizations are beginning to realize that commuting options are an important factor when considering their employees’ overall experience in the workplace. Creating a more streamlined commuter experience can help boost employee satisfaction and productivity. To do so, employers can optimize accessibility and use of their campuses’ available parking spaces. Likewise, they can provide or subsidize alternative transportation services to reduce the burden on employees.
An innovative technology solution called Commute Hub by Ride Amigos can help employers provide their employees with a more seamless commute experience no matter how they choose to get to campus. The solution helps commuters identify their best transportation options and allows them to reserve a guaranteed parking space based on their needs. This is helpful for employees that need accessible parking, including expectant mothers, as they can reserve spots in dedicated zones closer to buildings on the days they commute to work – eliminating the need to circle lots searching for parking, and alleviating some of the stress of getting to work.
Space availability is guaranteed before they even leave home through the use of automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras. The pairing of Commute Hub with two solutions gives parking officials full insight into parking demand and facility status – allowing them to ensure employee parking conditions are optimal.
The solution also allows employees to choose from a variety of available transportation options, such as mass transit, shuttles, carpooling, and active transportation choices like biking to work. This allows them to choose the commuting option that is most beneficial and enjoyable on any given day they choose to commute to work.
What happens if someone is parked in a reserved parking space?
The capabilities of the Genetec parking solution technologies enable parking facilities to instantly see and respond if a vehicle is found in a space that has not been reserved, or if an unauthorized vehicle is in a parking lot. This ensures that reserved parking spots remain available to those who reserved them, as well as keeping employees safe from any unwanted visitors.
Using an ALPR-equipped vehicle to scan parked cars and relay the details to appropriate security officials helps minimize any disruption and enhances campus and employee safety. If a car is parked incorrectly in a reserved space, the security and workplace teams can review the evidence package and determine what appropriate action to take, including issuing in-app reminders to employees about parking guidelines. This digital process increases efficiency and improves the parking experience over traditional enforcement methods along with providing a paperless and green enforcement option.
What’s in it for employers?
Over time, employers using this solution will gain actionable insights into parking trends on different days as office attendance patterns continue to evolve. It can also empower the organization to effectively optimize demand. By offering increased incentives to use alternative transportation on high-demand days or adjusting the size and location of dedicated parking zones, organizations can use parking resources more efficiently.
Beyond optimizing parking management, these solutions also support organizational bottom lines and sustainability goals. Improving the commute experience minimizes wasted time and helps employees arrive less stressed and more prepared to perform at their best. As for corporate sustainability, the use of these commuting and corporate mobility solutions allows employers to reward employees who carpool or use an alternate mode of transportation to work. They can then measure the overall impact of these programs on reducing emissions and meet sustainability or congestion mitigation benchmarks.
Innovations around commuting, parking, and corporate mobility can improve the experience for employees and employers by reducing factors that contribute to commuter stress. Employers can promote these solutions to prospective employees as incentives while also improving the morale of their current commuting team members. By identifying pain points and finding solutions to alleviate them, employers can help their employees have a more positive commuting experience, and thereby a more positive work experience.
Michael Bradner is a product manager for Genetec. He can be reached at mbradner@genetec.com
