Smart Parking Sensors, Smarter Installations: How eleven-x Tackles Any Surface

When it comes to smart parking solutions, the sensor is just the beginning. There’s another story lying beneath the surface—literally! At eleven-x, our installation methods are just as innovative as our eXactpark™ technology. Whether it's concrete, asphalt, gravel, or even heritage cobblestone, we’ve found ways to make it work.

This blog explores the different types of installation scenarios we’ve successfully completed.

Our most common installation type is the surface mount sensor. These devices are installed directly onto asphalt or concrete surfaces using industrial adhesive.

For parking facilities, we avoid drilling to prevent compromising the protective membrane on the concrete. This precaution helps avoid potential long-term structural damage due to moisture or salt exposure (especially important in northern climates).

In outdoor settings, such as university lots, we use adhesives and mechanical fasteners on asphalt. For more complex surfaces like gravel, we install a concrete cylinder into the ground, creating a stable base to mount the sensor.

Securing surface mount sensors to the ground.

Sub-Surface (In-Ground)

In-ground installations offer a flush finish. We core a 4.5-inch hole into the surface using a specialized drill bit, then embed the sensor with epoxy. Once cured, the sensor sits level with the pavement—almost invisible, but fully operational.

This approach works on both asphalt and concrete. It’s ideal for areas where a low profile is crucial; like spaces that require snow plowing or heavy foot traffic.

Installation starts here: core drilling for sub-surface sensors.

Sub-surface sensor (shown beside a coffee cup for scale).

Gravel Lots

Gravel poses a challenge because it lacks the structural stability of asphalt or concrete. To solve this, our team cores out a section of the lot and pours concrete to form a durable base, allowing us to securely mount the sensor.

Drilling holes in a gravel lot and filling with cement to create a solid base for surface mount sensor installations.

Freshly drilled and cement-filled bases in a gravel lot.

Cobblestone

One of our most unique installations took place in Kirkland, WA where local regulations prohibited any damage to the historic brickwork. Surface mounting wasn’t an option due to snow removal concerns, and drilling was off the table.

Our solution? Design a custom epoxy “brick” with the sensor embedded inside. We molded it to match the size and shape of the surrounding bricks, then swapped it in seamlessly.

The “brick” preserved the heritage site and still delivers 99.7% accuracy in detecting parked vehicles.

Looks like a brick, works like a sensor. A creative solution for installations where preservation matters.

Final Thoughts: A Fit for Every Surface

At eleven-x, we’ve designed our solutions around flexibility. With both surface and sub-surface sensors available, we meet the needs of standard and complex sites alike. What sets us apart is our commitment to problem-solving and customization.

Have a non-standard surface? No problem! Our engineering team thrives on a challenge, and odds are, we’ve already done something similar.

Want to see the process in action? Check out our videos:
• Surface Mount Installation
• Sub-Surface installation