1. A combination comprising: a barrier for blocking an entrance or exit of a parking area; an actuator connected to said barrier for moving said barrier; a sensor attached to said barrier; a controller connected to said actuator and said sensor; and a customer or vehicle acknowledgement device connected to said controller, wherein when a customer or vehicle is acknowledged, said controller causes said actuator to move said barrier, and wherein contact between the customer's vehicle and said barrier will be detected by said sensor.