Parking garage payment machines reject chip cards 30-40% of the time, trapping drivers at exit

Parking garage exit kiosks use outdated EMV chip readers that frequently fail to read cards, displaying 'card error — try again' while a line of cars builds behind you honking. The driver is physically trapped between a gate arm and the car behind them with no way to reverse, no cash on hand, and an intercom that rings to an unstaffed booth. Many drivers resort to tailgating the car ahead through the gate, which triggers violation notices and potential damage to their vehicle from the descending arm. Garage operators lease payment terminals on 7-10 year contracts with companies like SKIDATA and Amano McGann, so even when the hardware is obsolete, replacing it early means eating the remaining lease. The operators' revenue still flows because most people eventually get the card to work or call for help, so the friction is the driver's problem, not theirs.