Why your office parking lot is always full, and what to do about it.
The Problem: Parking challenges in big cities
Brussels, Antwerp, Paris… Great cities for business, but not for cars. Urban centers are actively discouraging car use to tackle traffic and pollution, making the daily commute more challenging than ever.
Yet, many companies still offer free or flat-fee parking, unintentionally encouraging employees to drive. This adds to congestion, increases emissions, and creates parking systems that no longer match today’s mobility needs.
The Pain: Outdated parking models
Traditional parking setups—like fixed spots or parking cards—just don’t work anymore. They lack flexibility:
- Employees with reserved spots feel compelled to use them daily.
- Employees without parking access scramble for alternatives, often at their own expense.
The result? Inefficiency, frustration, and missed opportunities for smarter mobility.
The shift to flexible parking solutions
Enter modern parking management systems like Izix and others. These solutions bring the flexibility today’s workforce needs, allowing employees to reserve spots in advance or pay per use. Features like automatic license plate recognition streamline the process, cutting out hassle.
But the real game-changer? These systems enable smarter mobility policies that influence commuting behavior. Let’s look at a few that work.
Smarter parking policies that work
1. Cap the number of parking days
I’ve seen this policy work wonders. Setting a monthly limit—say 5 to 10 parking days—keeps flexibility while nudging employees toward alternatives:
- They can still drive when necessary (client meetings, family events after the working day).
- But on most days, they choose other options.
One HR manager told me their team loved this approach because it felt fair without being restrictive.
2. Prioritize parking for those without alternatives
If an employee lives close to the office or has great public transport access, why not encourage them to use those options? Parking should go to those who truly need it.
This ensures fairness and makes better use of limited space.
3. Pay per parking day
Instead of offering unlimited free parking, charge a small daily fee, deducted from the employee’s gross salary.
A colleague shared how this policy transformed their office. “People started biking more, and the parking lot finally had open spots.”
4. Integrate parking with a flexible commuting budget
Companies like Proximus lead the way here. Employees get a budget they can use for:
- Fuel or EV charging
- Public transport tickets or subscriptions
- Cycling allowances
- Office parking fees
On days they drive, they use it for parking and fuel. On other days, they put it toward public transport or biking. This gives freedom while subtly encouraging sustainable choices. More info here.
5. Dynamic pricing for high-demand days
We all know the chaos of packed parking lots on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A simple fix? Charge a bit more for parking on peak days.
This encourages employees to plan smarter, choose alternative commutes, or even work remotely when possible.
Driving behavior through responsibility
These policies aren’t about making life harder—they empower employees to make thoughtful choices. By linking parking access to personal decisions—through caps, small fees, or mobility budgets—companies can create a system that’s fair, sustainable, and future-proof.
Roeland Vanrenterghem, CEO Vaigo | Mobility Policy Expert
With years of experience in corporate mobility, Roeland has seen and analyzed hundreds of policies that influence employee commuting behavior. As CEO of Vaigo, he helps large enterprises simplify and manage those mobility policies, making sustainable choices effortless for both HR teams and employees.
