Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Parking services revenue:
Lease contracts	$ 147,510		$ 138,664		$ 140,441
Management contracts	173,725		171,331		153,382
Reimbursed management contract revenue	408,427		411,148		401,671
Total revenue	729,662		721,143		695,494
Cost of parking services:
Lease contracts	136,494		128,613		130,897
Management contracts	96,159		94,481		84,167
Reimbursed management contract expense	408,427		411,148		401,671
Total cost of parking services	641,080		634,242		616,735
Gross profit:
Lease contracts	11,016		10,051		9,544
Management contracts	77,566		76,850		69,215
Total gross profit	88,582		86,901		78,759
General and administrative expenses(1)	48,297	[1]	47,878	[1]	44,707	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	6,618		6,074		5,828
Total costs and expenses	695,995		688,194		667,270
Operating income	33,667		32,949		28,224
Other expenses (income):
Interest expense	4,691		5,335		6,012
Interest income	(537)		(249)		(268)
Total other expenses (income)	4,154		5,086		5,744
Income before income taxes	29,513		27,863		22,480
Income tax expense	11,235		10,755		8,265
Net income	18,278		17,108		14,215
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	378		268		123
Net income attributable to Standard Parking Corporation	$ 17,900		$ 16,840		$ 14,092
Net income per share:
Basic	$ 1.14		$ 1.08		$ 0.92
Diluted	$ 1.12		$ 1.06		$ 0.90
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	15,703,595		15,579,352		15,292,412
Diluted	16,047,879		15,944,662		15,683,525

[1] Non-cash stock based compensation expense of $2,451, $2,310 and $2,292 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, is included in general and administrative expenses.