Nowadays, the constant flow of patients, relatives and medical staff that is part of the daily life in hospitals needs solutions capable of putting an end to the most common problems in their parking lots. Hence the benefits of using IoT devices such as those used by Urbiotica in smart parking guidance systems.
Most common problems in hospital parking lots
Hospitals and health centers often have the same problems, which affect both patients and visitors as well as the medical staff who come every day. The parking space available at each facility is limited and this, combined with the lack of information on whether or where parking spaces are available, means that a lot of time is wasted in the search for a space. This can result in people arriving late for appointments or not receiving more urgent medical care.
Similarly, there are times when it is not entirely clear which spaces are reserved for staff, patients and visitors, generating disorder, while when it is clear, there may be misuse due to lack of real-time guidance. Staff places or places reserved for people with reduced mobility may be occupied by others without being able to do anything about it until there is a complaint.
Benefits of using IoT technology in parking hospital
IoT technology allows certain devices to send data automatically. In smart hospital parking garages, sensors, cameras and variable signage panels work together to let users know how many spaces are free, just as parking managers can see usage patterns.
Improved patient experience
Searching for parking in a hospital can increase anxiety for patients and their families. Thanks to IoT-enabled guidance systems, it is easier to know where there are free spaces in real time. Patients don’t have to drive around and around, they can get to their medical appointment on time and stress-free. The experience becomes much smoother.
A smart parking guidance system allows you to focus on your own or a loved one’s health. A medical center that facilitates logistics, conveys greater commitment to wellness, improves your service and can contribute to a faster recovery.
2. Hospital operations are more efficient
Doctors, nurses and other hospital staff need to get to their workplaces without any problems, they should not have to waste time searching for available places. IoT systems make it possible to allocate parking spaces for the exclusive use of hospital staff so that they are not occupied by other users and guide them directly there.
This approach both improves staff morale and influences them to arrive at their posts on time, reducing possible delays in shift changes due to not finding an available spot quickly in the medical center’s own parking lot.
3. Commitment to public health and sustainability
As the guidance systems ensure that vehicles spend less time with their engines running, pollutant gas emissions are reduced. This improves the quality of the air near the hospital, benefiting patients with vulnerable respiratory systems, the medical staff who spend many hours there, and local residents.
In addition to air pollution, the search for parking generates noise and traffic. IoT technology that can solve these parking problems in the short term will contribute to a quieter and safer environment, making it easier for patients to rest and recover.
Smart Parking to organize hospital parking
How does a smart parking system with IoT work in hospitals?
Smart parking systems are scalable and customizable, configured as best suits the characteristics and needs of the hospital in question. IoT sensors are placed at ground level or on the pavement of each parking space and/or cameras to detect whether or not they are occupied by a vehicle. This information is sent to the central platform that transmits the information to the other connected devices.
With strategically placed variable signage panels, drivers can see how many spaces are available in the hospital parking lot before entering and in which zone they are located. This saves time and avoids unnecessary circling. In addition, all information related to parking occupancy can also be viewed on a mobile app that allows the hospital’s medical staff to know where there are free spaces and go directly to them. It can also be used with patients if they are recurrent.
Urbiotica success story: guidance system at Martorell Hospital
The Martorell Hospital in Spain, which serves approximately 150,000 people from different regions, managed to improve mobility and optimize its 203 parking spaces by installing an intelligent guidance system with Urbiotica’s U-Flow sensors. It achieved higher vehicle turnover and less congestion in the hospital’s parking lot, as well as improving the experience of both patients and medical staff.
In this case, U-Flow sensors were placed at the entrances and exits of the parking lot, transmitting occupancy data to variable signage panels also located at the entrance, while hospital parking managers can access them through the central platform to better manage the space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to implement Urbiotica sensors in a hospital parking lot?
The implementation of Urbiotica IoT sensors is fast and it is not necessary to stop the activity of the medical center to do so. The devices at ground level are installed in less than 10 minutes and those above ground take even less time.
In a hospital parking lot, is it better to use Urbiotica sensors or IoT cameras?
Depending on the characteristics and needs of the project, both devices can work individually or together. While the sensors detect occupancy square by square, the cameras can cover larger areas, also square by square and accesses.
Can the hospital system with IoT sensors be integrated with other systems?
Yes, Urbiotica’s smart parking systems with IoT sensors can be quickly integrated with third-party systems through APIs, which is very useful for leveraging existing hospital infrastructure.
