Extend Your Parking
The Extend Your Parking feature allows end-users to receive automated alerts before their temporary parking permits expire, giving them time to extend their stay directly through the user portal. Its primary purpose is to enable self-service parking management, reducing accidental parking infractions and minimizing administrative support calls. This article is intended for OPSCOM administrators to help them understand and support the user-facing permit expiration workflow.
Setup and Configuration
This feature is integrated into the user portal profile settings.
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Admin Side: Administrators must ensure the default notification lead time is configured under System Settings > Temp Permits. This serves as the system fallback for users who do not set custom preferences.
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User Side: Users must have an active portal account and be signed in when purchasing a temporary permit to receive notifications and process self-serve extensions.
Using this Feature
Administrators can use the following instructions to guide users through configuring their personal expiry reminders within the user portal.
Configuring Expiry Reminders
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Log in to the User Portal and click Your Profile in the left navigation menu.
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Select the User Settings tab on the Profile Information page.
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Click the Parking Expiry Reminder drop-down menu and choose the preferred advance notification time (e.g., 10 minutes).
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Click Save Changes to apply the updated reminder window.
Available Actions and Drop-Downs
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Parking Expiry Reminder: Use this drop-down menu to set how many minutes prior to permit expiration the system will trigger a notification to the account holder.
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Save Changes: Click this button to persist the selected reminder preference to the user's profile.
Best Practices and Considerations
- Signed-In Purchases Only: Emphasize to users that expiry notifications and self-serve extensions are strictly available to registered, signed-in users. Guest checkouts cannot receive reminders or process extensions.
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Supported Purchase Channels: Reminders apply when registered users purchase temporary permits through the User Side App, the Real-Time Parking Map, or via QR Code express checkout.
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Optimal Lead Times: Recommend that users set a lead time of 10 to 15 minutes to allow sufficient time to open the portal and process an extension payment before their active permit expires.