Noctoptics works with Hikvision to create next-generation smart parking lots

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Parking lots are getting smarter. In Canada, Noctoptics has partnered with Hikvision to create a solution which boosts car parking efficiency, increases revenue, and always optimizes the use of parking spaces. To find out more, Hikvision spoke to James Iacuessa, the company’s CEO and founder.

James Iacuessa, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Noctoptics INC

Q: Can you please tell us a bit about yourself and your company?

A: Before I set up Noctoptics, I was an enterprise solutions manager at Hikvision, working with clients in Canada and the U.S. I was also working on intelligent traffic management systems in South America. I could see the opportunities for creating intelligent parking lot solutions based on Hikvision technologies, optimized for the North American markets. That’s the gap that Noctoptics fills.

Q: Can you briefly describe your NoctoPark parking lot solution?

A: Yes, the solution is a software platform which is deployed on-premises but can be managed remotely. It boosts car parking efficiency, increases revenue, and always optimizes the use of parking spaces. It does this in conjunction with a whole range of Hikvision products.

Q: How does the system work?

A: When a vehicle approaches the parking lot, our solution captures the license plate number and raises the entrance barrier. Then, when the same vehicle leaves, the system will calculate the fee (perhaps using license plate recognition at the exit barrier), take payment (either at the exit barrier or at a pay station), and allow the vehicle to pass through the exit barrier.

That’s the simple answer. Our solution is extremely flexible allowing this basic configuration to be changed and altered to suit the needs of the customer and to enable them to maximize revenue. We can even enable the parking lot to change how it operates dynamically based on circumstances.

Q: Can you provide some examples of different configurations?

A: Sometimes, clients want to create VIP spots to generate additional revenues. In that case we use Hikvision parking guidance technology to guide drivers who have paid the premium to the appropriate parking spaces. Other clients might want to reduce the queues to exit the parking lot. This is often the case at sporting events when there is a sudden rush to leave at the same time. In these circumstances, we can alter the way the lot operates and in the hours before the game starts, collect a single, standard payment on entry, rather than to calculate a bespoke payment for exit.

We also give clients complete flexibility about how they want to take payment. For example, they may wish to provide their customers with an online payment portal or a monthly subscription payment option. They can also develop complex tariff structures enabling them to charge by the hour, the day, or the month. They can also create special weekend rates, rush-hour rates, or early-bird discount rates.

Q: What kinds of clients do you have?

A: We work with hotels, shopping malls, ski resorts, casinos, medical clinics and nature parks providing different configurations to meet their different needs. We enable hotels, for example, to offer free parking with their booking system. With some shopping mall customers, we enable them to provide shoppers who spend more than a certain amount with a voucher for free parking.

Q: How does NoctoPark build on Hikvision technology to increase revenue?

A: The NoctoPark platform produces detailed reports about the throughput of traffic and the associated revenue. These enable lot managers to create dynamically changing tariffs to reflect changing demand. This, in turn, enables them to optimize revenue at times of peak demand whilst incentivizing people with lower prices when things are not so busy. We have also added critical payment and efficiency reporting to help parking lot owners and managers increase the revenue of their real estate.

Q: What kinds of Hikvision technology do you use in your NoctoPark installations?

A: Our NoctoPark platform is integrated with Hikvision’s HikCentral Professional platform which is designed to integrate and manage security systems. This enables us to install NoctoPark in multiple parking lots which can be managed remotely. We use Hikvision’s automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras in our system. Usually, we deploy the pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) dome cameras which are particularly suited to the low ceilings found in many parking lots. We also use Hikvision’s parking guidance hardware if we are configuring a solution to include premium VIP spaces. Other Hikvision hardware that we employ includes parking barriers, intercom solutions and entrance stations.

Q: Why did you form a close partnership with Hikvision?

A: The key to this partnership from the very beginning has been the fact that I used to work for Hikvision—as did several of my Noctoptics colleagues. We all share a love of Hikvision products with extensive first-hand experience of just how high their quality is. We also know how to work with Hikvision, and how to integrate their products into our solution. Essentially, we are taking a great set of products and optimizing them for our particular vertical market here in North America.

I would also like to say that we have always received great support from the technical team in Hikvision HQ. For example, when we wanted to display the license plate numbers on the video feed, they customized the HikCentral software to make this possible.

Q: Do you have any plans to develop the partnership?

A: Yes. We currently use AI in our central server software. In the future, however, when Hikvision releases HEOP-enabled ANPR cameras, we may be able to move this processing to the edge with all the networking and processing benefits this would bring. We are also developing a new traffic management and tolling product which, like NoctoPark, will make extensive use of Hikvision products.

Q: Do you have any final thoughts?

A: Hikvision is a great example of how two companies can work together in synergy to create something that is greater than the sum of the parts. This is enabling us to create the next generation of smart parking lot solutions. Together, we’re not just creating spaces—we’re optimizing traffic flow, increasing value, enhancing safety and, ultimately, building smarter, more connected communities.