A vehicle traffic control system, comprising: an emitter configured to flood a detection area with electromagnetic radiation, wherein the detection area comprises a portion of a parking structure; a detector configured to detect retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from retro-reflection of the emitted electromagnetic radiation from a plurality of retro-reflective markers disposed within the detection area; control circuitry communicatively coupled to the emitter and the detector, wherein the control circuitry is configured to monitor the retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation detected by the detector and evaluate information relating to one or more vehicles (26,172) within the detection area using the monitored retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation; an automated device communicatively coupled to the control circuitry and configured to provide a user-perceivable indication relating to the one or more vehicles (26,172) in the detection area, wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the automated device to provide specific user-perceivable indications upon detecting a change in the retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation; a parking structure having a parking space, wherein the parking space comprises the plurality of retro-reflective markers positioned within an area corresponding to an expected location of a vehicle (26,172) when the vehicle is parked within the parking space; wherein at least a portion of the detection area comprises the parking space, and the control circuitry is configured to determine whether the parking space is occupied by the vehicle (26,172) by monitoring retro-reflection by the plurality of retro-reflective markers. wherein the automated device provides a visual indication of the occupancy of the parking space, wherein the control circuitry is configured to trigger the automated device when the parking space is empty or occupied. an emitter configured to flood a detection area with electromagnetic radiation, wherein the detection area comprises a portion of a parking structure; a detector configured to detect retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation resulting from retro-reflection of the emitted electromagnetic radiation from a plurality of retro-reflective markers disposed within the detection area; control circuitry communicatively coupled to the emitter and the detector, wherein the control circuitry is configured to monitor the retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation detected by the detector and evaluate information relating to one or more vehicles (26,172) within the detection area using the monitored retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation; an automated device communicatively coupled to the control circuitry and configured to provide a user-perceivable indication relating to the one or more vehicles (26,172) in the detection area, wherein the control circuitry is configured to cause the automated device to provide specific user-perceivable indications upon detecting a change in the retro-reflected electromagnetic radiation; a parking structure having a parking space, wherein the parking space comprises the plurality of retro-reflective markers positioned within an area corresponding to an expected location of a vehicle (26,172) when the vehicle is parked within the parking space; wherein at least a portion of the detection area comprises the parking space, and the control circuitry is configured to determine whether the parking space is occupied by the vehicle (26,172) by monitoring retro-reflection by the plurality of retro-reflective markers. wherein the automated device provides a visual indication of the occupancy of the parking space, wherein the control circuitry is configured to trigger the automated device when the parking space is empty or occupied.