The Critical Role Of Smart Parking In City Ecosystems

The urban population is rising rapidly, and as a result, city resources are becoming scarcer by the day. Today's cities house 55% of the global population, and with these numbers set to increase to 68% by 2050, the need for urban areas to maximize efficiency and sustainability has never been greater.

Fortunately, modern technologies are bringing many solutions to the table. While "smart cities" used to be a buzzword several years ago, it is now a reality. Municipalities across the globe have realized the potential of technology in providing more efficiency, convenience, and social responsibility and improving the general quality of urban life.

An effective parking system is one of the essential elements of smart city eco-structures. With smart parking solutions, modern urban centers can reduce congestion levels, streamline mobility, lower management costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and collect data that they can use to improve numerous other services.

If you are an urban planner or administrator looking to make your city or town more efficient and sustainable, investing in smart parking solutions is an excellent place to start. Read on to understand the smart city concept and how smart parking options help make it a reality.

What is a smart city?

At its core, a smart city is an urban area that utilizes data and advanced technologies to improve the efficiency of services and meet the needs of its citizens. Smart cities are distinguished from traditional cities in that they use various technologies to manage resources, increase operational efficiency, and lower emissions.

The role of smart parking in smart cities

Any urban center that aspires to the title of "Smart City" must demonstrate that it is using technology to create a more efficient, sustainable living environment for its citizens. With traffic congestion one of the biggest urban issues today, smart parking solutions enable municipalities to get a better grasp on the situation.

Let's dig deeper into the critical role of smart parking in smart city development.

Enhanced Smart Mobility

Efficient mobility is essential to the smart city concept. Smart cities leverage technology to offer proper solutions for various transportation modes, from cars and bikes to public transport and even walking. By making all these options easily accessible, these cities ensure their citizens have a smooth, stress-free commuting experience.

Smart parking provides an important boost to the efficient mobility effort. With smart parking, city planners can regulate parking availability and occupancy, streamline traffic flow in busy areas, and create more space for cyclists and pedestrians.

Below are 4 smart parking examples for enhancing smart city mobility.

• Parking guidance systems: City planners can install sensors in parking lots to provide drivers with real-time information on traffic flow, available parking spots, free electric vehicle charging stations, and other important information.
• Parking spot sharing: Smart parking can help cities better use underutilized spaces. For instance, if a large lot is mostly empty during certain times of the day, registering it on a platform like Pavemint can expose it to more motorists and increase its utilization.
• Public transit integration: Through smart parking, cities can encourage citizens to use public transport by providing incentives such as discounted fares for those who leave their vehicles at designated lots and take the bus instead.
• Safe pedestrian zones: Smart parking installations can help make parking lots safer for pedestrians. For instance, sensors deployed near tight corners and blind spots can help monitor vehicle movement and warn pedestrians if a vehicle is heading their way.

Better Traffic Management

Studies indicate that over 30% of all traffic in urban areas can be traced back to parking searches. Therefore, it is not surprising that the number one aspect of effective traffic management is optimizing parking availability and accessibility.

Implementing smart parking starts with a comprehensive plan that outlines the community's parking needs and how they can be met, either by creating new infrastructure or by updating existing systems.

With a solid plan in place, next comes choosing the right technologies to execute it. Here are 4 smart parking solutions that can help optimize traffic management.

• Dynamic pricing: Sensors and cameras deployed around cities can collect data that reveals which areas get congested during peak traffic. With these insights, city planners can implement pricing strategies that discourage motorists from parking in these locations when they are crowded.
• Smart signage: Smart signs are digital displays that give drivers real-time information about available parking spots and traffic conditions. Installed at busy intersections and near parking lots, they can help reduce congestion by directing motorists to less congested areas.
• Parking reservation software: Pavemint enables citizens to book parking spots in advance, reducing traffic delays and improving convenience.
• Smart parking enforcement: Smart parking systems can help automate the enforcement of traffic management rules. For instance, sensors deployed in restricted areas can detect unauthorized cars and send automated alerts to the authorities, minimizing illegal parking and improving traffic flow.

Reduced Carbon Emissions

Urban areas are significant contributors to climate change. According to the United Nations, cities are responsible for 75% of the world's carbon emissions, most of which come from industries and motorized transportation systems that burn massive quantities of fossil fuels.

Parking lots and garages represent a considerable part of a city's carbon footprint. Fortunately, smart parking systems can help curb emissions in several noteworthy ways. Below are some mention-worthy examples.

• Parking software, smart routing, and guidance systems make it easier for motorists to find parking, minimizing the time spent and the fuel burned searching for free spots.
• Smart lighting systems that utilize motion sensors keep the lights off when nobody is around, reducing electricity consumption and the corresponding emissions.
• Mobile-based contactless payment options eliminate physical payment booths and the associated energy consumption. They also speed up the payment process, minimizing the time motorists spend in parking lots.
• Automating various parking processes, from reservations to enforcement, minimizes the amount of paperwork and manual labor required, decreasing paper consumption and eliminating the need for gasoline-powered patrol cars.

Active Community Participation

The community is a crucial yet often overlooked piece of the smart city puzzle. Implementing the newest technologies means little if the citizens do not buy into them. For this reason, creating an informative and engaging campaign is essential to educating the public on the benefits of smart city concepts and the proper practices to improve their city.

Smart parking solutions can get citizens behind the smart city concept and inspire them to participate actively. Here are 2 compelling ways smart parking can help engage the community.

• Boosting local businesses: Smart parking options can provide accurate data on parking trends, such as peak hours and areas with the highest demand for spots. These insights can be invaluable for local businesses that rely on parking availability to attract customers.
• Encouraging alternative forms of transportation: Smart cyclist parking, pedestrian zones, and car-sharing zones are excellent examples of initiatives incentivizing citizens to use alternative transportation methods, reducing emissions and traffic congestion.

Smart Parking is Crucial for the Future of Smart Cities

The time has come for smart cities, and parking solutions are leading the charge in this transformative process. As urban areas continue to expand, there is an ever-growing need for more efficient parking options.

Smart parking is a cost-effective, efficient solution to the ever-increasing urban congestion problem. When deployed effectively, smart parking technologies can help reduce traffic and emissions, improve the public's quality of life, boost local businesses, and inspire citizens to become active participants in creating future smart cities.

Pavemint is proud to contribute toward developing more efficient and sustainable cities. With our self-park solutions, parking networks, on-the-lot tools, and data reporting platforms, we are helping cities and communities manage their parking needs in a smart, sustainable way.

Contact a Pavemint expert today to learn how you can join us to create a brighter tomorrow!