Efficient management of regulated parking remains one of the great challenges for many European cities seeking to balance mobility, sustainability and citizen experience. In this context, the city of Wrocław has taken a decisive step by implementing the first pay-per-place system in Poland, marking a before and after in the way the use of public space is controlled and optimized.
This pioneering project not only responds to an operational need, but also aligns with current trends in urban digitalization, where data and automation play a key role in decision making and improving public services.
Technological innovation in parking control
The implementation of the system has been possible thanks to the collaboration with PM3D, the company in charge of deploying and integrating the solution within the city’s existing infrastructure. Their role has been instrumental in ensuring that the technology is properly adapted to both operational requirements and local regulations.
Specifically, the deployment has been carried out in Mennicza Street, a central area with high parking demand. There, the smart camera technology developed by Urbiotica has been integrated with Flowbird’s parking meter network.
This combination allows for automatic verification of whether a vehicle has paid correctly for the space it occupies, eliminating reliance on manual checks and significantly reducing human error.
How the pay-per-place model works
The pay-per-space system introduces an important change in the way users interact with regulated parking. Instead of simply paying by time, the user must indicate the exact number of the space in which they have parked, either through the parking meter or through a mobile application.
This approach provides multiple benefits:
- Increased accuracy in vehicle identification.
- Reduction of payment validation errors.
- Improved efficiency of control equipment.
- Reduction of fraud and improper use of public space.
Thanks to this logic, greater efficiency in parking management is achieved, allowing authorities to act with more reliable information in real time.
Key benefits for cities and citizens
The adoption of this system represents a significant evolution in urban parking management. Among its main advantages are the following:
For the public administration
- Increased productivity of control personnel.
- Optimization of operating resources.
- Improved collection without increasing the pressure on citizens.
- Access to accurate data for strategic decision making.
For citizens
- Clearer and more transparent experience.
- Reduction of unjustified sanctions.
- Increased availability of seats due to a more efficient rotation.
Moreover, as it is a solution based on artificial vision, it is not necessary to install physical sensors in each square, which reduces costs and facilitates its implementation in complex urban environments.
This feature is a differential advantage, since it allows the system to be scaled up more quickly and with less impact on the existing infrastructure.
A replicable model for the urban mobility of the future
The case of Wrocław demonstrates how collaboration between cities and technology providers can lead to innovative Smart parking solutions capable of transforming urban mobility. Such initiatives not only improve daily operations, but also lay the foundation for smarter, connected and sustainable cities.
The pay-per-place model is positioned as a solid alternative to traditional systems, especially in environments where accuracy, efficiency and digitization are critical factors.
In addition, this type of solutions allows moving towards a data-driven management, where every decision is supported by real information on the use of urban space, facilitating a more strategic and efficient planning.
This project marks a turning point in the way cities approach parking regulation and confirms the potential of the pay-per-place model as an effective solution for moving towards more efficient, digital and data-driven urban mobility.
If you want to know more about how to apply this type of solution in your city, contact us at [email protected] or request a demo.
