IP Parking’s Future-Ready PARCS System Keeps Pace with SMF’s Historic Expansion

Sacramento International Airport (SMF) is in the midst of a record-breaking era. After serving over 13.6 million passengers in 2024—a 5.1% increase from the previous year—the airport is undergoing its largest expansion ever through the SMForward initiative, designed to meet growing demand and elevate the traveler experience across all touchpoints.

One of those touchpoints is parking—and SMF selected IP Parking to deliver a flexible, high-performing PARCS solution capable of scaling with the airport’s growth. According to airport leadership, the system stood out from the beginning for its design and ease of use.

One of those important links is parking. SMF chose IP Parking to provide a flexible and powerful Parking Access and Revenue Control System (PARCS) system that can grow with the airport. According to the airport's management team, the system immediately stood out for its ease of use and design.

“We were really looking for a technology-driven system that was easy to use and straightforward,” said Nick Van Looy, Airport Manager – Parking and Ground Transportation. “IP Parking’s product gave us that. The equipment is accessible, intuitive, and everything lights up at night—it’s a great fit for our drive-up customer experience.”

A key enhancement already improving the customer experience is the IP Payment System (IPS)—a mobile, app-free and subscription-free solution that allows drivers to scan their parking ticket using their smartphone and pay before returning to their vehicle. By reducing friction at the exit, IPS helps decrease congestion and improves traffic flow during peak times.

“Watching a vehicle pull up and have the gate open within seconds—without the driver having to do anything—is amazing,” Van Looy shared. “That kind of speed and convenience is a huge win for our passengers.”

SMF’s team also emphasized how IP Parking’s cloud-based platform is changing the way they manage operations. Unlike traditional server-based systems that require on-site access and specialized workstations, the new setup gives their team real-time control from anywhere—whether in the field or at the office.

“I can log in right now and do anything from anywhere, for any of our facilities,” Van Looy said. “This gives us unprecedented freedom to control our parking system in real time. It’s been a gamechanger.”

Now well over halfway through the installation, IP Parking continues to deliver with speed, flexibility, and service—proving its ability to meet the demands of one of the busiest and fastest-growing airports in California. With record-breaking passenger volumes and a historic expansion underway, SMF required a parking solution that could keep pace—not just today, but well into the future. IP Parking’s flexible, cloud-based system and thoughtful, well-managed rollout have positioned the airport to grow without disruption, improve the traveler experience, and meet the evolving demands of a modern aviation hub.

“The overall experience has gone so much better than I could have ever envisioned,” Van Looy concluded. “We thought this was going to be a huge undertaking, but the system is working, it’s running, the revenue is flowing, and we’ve had no interruptions. We feel supported.”

About IP Parking

IP Parking is a leading parking professional, offering an open, high-quality parking platform with a digital-first approach. As pioneers, we continuously optimize our solutions to remain at the forefront of technology. By integrating state-of-the-art hardware with our in-house developed software, we enable efficient, low-maintenance management accessible from anywhere, providing maximum flexibility for owners and operators. Dedicated to future-proofing parking solutions, we enhance traffic flow, occupancy rates, and enable seamless integrations. With comprehensive service, data-driven insights, and unlimited connectivity, IP Parking ensures optimal performance and tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of every customer.