Despite the deep changes in urban mobility over the last decade, private passenger cars remain the preferred transportation system in most European and American cities.
Local administrations are reacting differently to the growing issues of congestion and parking shortages. While some cities are trying to accommodate more vehicles by building new car parks or multistorey garages, others favour micromobility and public transport by reducing on-street parking and turning free into paid parking. toyota fortuner parking sensor
There isn’t a silver bullet solution, of course, but it’s clear that parking management is decisive for urban mobility planning. If available space is distributed unevenly, the idle cruising looking for free parking leads to additional congestion, noise and air pollution, as well as driver frustration and stress. Traffic analysts at INRIX calculated that in 2023 the typical US driver lost 42 hours in traffic (the equivalent of a full work week), with congestion costing the US more than US$70 billion per year. Last year in the UK, Londoners lost 99 hours sitting in congestion, three percent above pre-pandemic delays and two percent more than 2022.
Collecting and analysing parking data is the first step to support the efficient allocation of existing parking spaces and any following urban mobility strategy. Smart Parking solutions based on ground sensors are one of the options specifically fitting off-street and on-street car parking, outdoor as well as indoor parking facilities.
Which features should be considered when designing a smart parking project and selecting ground sensors? According to Smart Parking experts at Paradox Engineering, three key elements should be taken into account.
Accuracy and reliability should come first. Vehicle detection must be highly accurate to minimise false positives or negatives, ensuring real-time collection of reliable parking data. State-of-the-art sensors featuring auto-calibrating systems and advanced signal management algorithms can provide up to 99.5 percent detection accuracy. Also, radio communication should be watched to allow efficient and secure wireless data transmission despite moving obstacles, changing weather conditions, and possible radio interferences.
The second element is the total cost of ownership. Parking operators should prefer sensors that can be quickly and easily installed above or below ground, requiring minimal road works. This is very important to save effort and money, but also to preserve kerbstones or cobbling in city centres. Battery life is critical: a 10-year autonomy is generally recommended to ensure the lowest and simplest possible maintenance. Sensors should be robust enough to stand harsh weather conditions and sudden temperature variations, as well as mechanical constraints such as street cleaning or snow plowing.
Last but not least, scalability and integration. The parking sensor’s network must be open to start small and expand over time, adding spaces as needed. It should dialogue seamlessly with the existing city infrastructure and data management platforms to provide a comprehensive real-time view of parking status, and actionable insights about occupancy rates, turnover, duration of parking, peak usage times, and potential revenue optimisation. It should also integrate with mobile apps, variable message panels and traffic guidance systems to offer drivers valuable services such as real-time information about parking availability, online booking and payment services, parking coupons and valet services for shops and local businesses, and more.
By carefully considering these three elements, parking operators and cities can select smart parking sensors that not only meet current mobility challenges but also support future growth, technological advancements, and sustainability goals. This will result in an efficient and user-friendly parking management system that contributes to a smarter, more liveable city.
Established in 2005 and headquartered in Switzerland, Paradox Engineering is the Internet of Things (IoT) Excellence Centre of MinebeaMitsumi Group. The company pioneers technologies to implement highly scalable IoT network solutions, from edge devices to management platforms, to control critical public services such as streetlighting, parking management, municipal waste collection, and environmental monitoring. Thanks to intelligent technology solutions, Paradox Engineering strives to unleash opportunities for people and communities, helping the transition towards more liveable, sustainable, and smarter cities.
For further information, please visit Paradox Engineering’s website
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