Understanding Advanced Time Rules

The Flexible Time builder allows you to create dynamic parking rules where start and end times can vary based on user input or predefined conditions.

This article explains each rule in the Flexible Time builder and how they work together.

How Flexible Time Works

Flexible time is made up of two parts:

• Start Rules → When the permit begins
• Expiry Rules → When the permit ends

Each part can be configured independently to create simple or advanced behaviors.

Start Rules

Start rules determine when a permit becomes active.

User Selects

Allows the parker to choose their own start date and/or time.

• Most flexible option
• Common for visitor or short-term parking

Example: A user selects a start time of 2:00 PM

When Registered

The permit starts immediately when the user completes registration.

• No user input required
• Best for instant-use permits

Example: User registers at 10:03 AM → permit starts at 10:03 AM

Specific Date

A fixed start date.

• Same start for all users
• Useful for events or scheduled access

Example: Permit always starts on June 1

Day(s) of Week

Allows permits to start only on selected days.

• Restricts when users can begin parking
• Can be combined with time rules

Example: Users can only start parking on weekdays

Start Time Options

You can also control the time of day:

User Selects → user chooses time

Specific Time → fixed time for all users

Expiry Rules

Expiry rules determine when the permit ends.

User Selects

Allows the parker to choose their own end date and/or time.

• Works well with flexible start times
• Useful when duration is not fixed

Same Day as Start

The permit expires on the same day it starts.

• Often combined with a specific end time

Example: Start at 9:00 AM → expires at 5:00 PM

Specific Date

Permit ends on a fixed date.

• Same expiry for all users

Example: All permits expire on December 31

Day(s) of Week

Allows permits to expire only on selected days.

• Restricts when users can end parking
• Can be combined with time rules

Example: Users can only expire parking on weekdays

After Days

Permit expires after a set number of days from the start.

Example: Starts June 1 → expires June 3 (2 days later)

After Fixed Duration

Permit expires after a defined duration.

Example: Starts at 2:00 PM → expires 3 hours later

Expiry Time Options

Like start rules, you can control the time:

User Selects

Specific Time

Additional Restrictions

These rules refine how start and expiry rules behave.

Time Increments

Controls what time intervals users can select.

• Example:
  • 15-minute increments
  • 30-minute increments

Prevents arbitrary time selection.

Min / Max Duration

Sets limits on how short or long a permit can be.

Example:

• Minimum: 1 hour
• Maximum: 8 hours

Date Window

Restricts the range of dates that can be selected for start and expiry.

This allows you to control the earliest and latest allowable dates for a permit, rather than limiting when users can register.

You can define:

• Earliest start date
• Latest start date
• Earliest expiry date
• Latest expiry date

This ensures all selected dates fall within a specific allowed range.

Example:

• Start date must be between June 1 and June 30
• Expiry date must be between June 1 and July 5

Users can only select dates within these boundaries.

Time Window (Daily)

Restricts time selection within each day.

Example: Only allow parking between 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Registration Availability Window

Controls when users are allowed to create a permit.

This is separate from when the permit is valid.

Example:

• Users can only register between May 1–June 30
• But parking may occur later

How Rules Work Together

Flexible time rules combine to define:

When a permit can start + when it must end + what constraints apply

Example Configuration

• Start: User selects
• Expiry: After 2 hours
• Time window: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Result: Users can pick any start time during the day, and the permit lasts exactly 2 hours.

Common Use Cases

Visitor Day Parking

• Starts: User Selects
• At Time: Specific Time (e.g., 7:00 AM)
• Expires: Same Day as Start
• At Time: Specific Time (e.g., 6:00 PM)

Employee Parking

• Starts: When Registered
• Expires: After Fixed Duration (e.g., 1 Week)

Hourly Parking

• Starts: When Registered
• Expires: User Selects
• At Time: User Selects
• Time Increments enabled: 1 Hour
• Min/Max duration enabled: Minimum 1 Hour, Maximum 8 Hours

Summary

Flexible Time allows you to:

• Give users control over start and end times
• Enforce structured rules and limits
• Support a wide range of parking scenarios

Flexible Time becomes most powerful when you start combining multiple rules together.

By combining start rules, expiry rules, and restrictions, you can create both simple and highly customized parking experiences.

→ Learn more about combining rules