Growing cities require strategic planning capable of detecting real needs before defining solutions. Smart parking offers a multitude of benefits, as its technology allows for different configurations. By following certain steps and opting for scalable strategies, it is possible to adjust systems over time without having to renew or change existing infrastructures. An example of this would be the success story of Urbiotica in Valencia.
How does smart parking help growing cities?
A growing city has more cars, more people and less space, so finding where to park becomes difficult. Smart parking systems provide a solution to this problem by using sensors and detection cameras, signage panels and mobile apps to find out which spaces are free and inform users in real time. In this way, drivers no longer need to drive around the streets looking for parking, traffic in the city is reduced and the use of available space is optimized.
In addition to guiding users, these solutions also provide relevant data for the authorities in charge of managing the city’s infrastructure, being able to know the hours and days when there is the most traffic, where it is recurrent and what type of reserved spaces may be more useful in specific areas to relocate them: charging points for electric cars, people with reduced mobility, loading and unloading, etc.
It is very important that these solutions are scalable, that they adapt to the growth and new needs of the city so as not to start from scratch each time. The Smart Parking technologies developed by Urbiotica are compatible with each other, they can be connected to each other without making modifications to the already implemented projects, as well as they are able to work with third-party systems. The objective is none other than to facilitate the process and reduce the investment in renewing or redoing every so often the mobility initiatives carried out.
Parking Control Solutions
Steps to plan a scalable smart parking strategy
To design and carry out an effective strategy, there are certain steps that it is advisable to follow: analyze the current situation, define the objectives to be pursued to solve certain problems, choose the most appropriate technology according to the characteristics of the project, implement in the most critical points and monitor the results obtained in order to continue advancing.
Step 1: Analysis of the current situation
The first step in planning the implementation of smart parking systems in the city is to understand the problem to be solved. It is necessary to find out how many parking spaces are available, when they are occupied during the day and whether they are used a lot or a little. It is also important to know the areas where there is more traffic or parking is more difficult, how drivers behave and whether any violations occur, what systems are installed in those areas, and what regulations govern the use of those spaces.
Step 2: Definition of objectives
Once there is a clear and measurable idea of the situation, efforts should be focused on specific objectives, for example: reducing the time it takes users to find a parking space, increasing the rotation of parking spaces so that more people can use them, reducing traffic at critical points where congestion tends to occur, encouraging the use of public transport with combined mobility initiatives, or ensuring the proper use of spaces reserved for specific uses.
These objectives must be SMART, which translates as Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. It is not just about “improving parking” but planning actions aligned with the real needs of residents and visitors.
Step 3: Technology selection
Depending on the objective and the characteristics of the area, some devices or others may be more convenient. It is not the same to manage dispersed squares or groups of them indoors or outdoors, with or without delimited entrances and exits, or located in the historical center of the city and requiring a greater care of the heritage, or located in the suburbs. In Urbiotica, we analyze each case and make a customized proposal to ensure the best coverage and accuracy according to the needs and budget.
Step 4: Small-scale implementation
Although smart parking management technologies can be implemented in one go, it is best to start with the most critical or priority points before going citywide. In this way, the effectiveness of the solutions can be seen and at the same time new data can be obtained to detect new needs. The investment would be progressive and the authorities would have the margin to define the improvements little by little.
The data collected has to be continuously analyzed, we could say that the cycle repeats itself. As the city grows, the variables may change, so we must always be aware of the current situation in order to make adjustments or implement new measures. Continuous improvement is essential for mobility in the city to remain sustainable.
Success stories: Intelligent parking in Valencia
There are many cities that have relied on Urbiotica and Valencia would be a clear example of how to plan the implementation of smart parking. In this case, a two-phase strategy was chosen: in the first phase, accessibility to critical areas was improved with the installation of detection sensors in priority places, such as PRM and loading and unloading zones; and in the second phase, it was decided to extend coverage to other areas with 2000 new sensors integrated to the Urbiotica platform and the city’s VLCi digital ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you achieve a scalable smart parking system for growing cities?
At Urbiotica, we have technologies whose architecture allows adding new functions without affecting the entire system. All developed devices use IoT to connect with each other, being able to analyze data in the cloud for greater security and flexibility.
Why is centralized parking management key to strategic planning?
With centralized management in the cloud, it is possible to control and analyze multiple parking zones at the same time from a single platform. The decisions made are based on real data integrating different mobility services.
How does an intelligent parking system adapt to different spaces?
The smart devices are designed to meet different needs, as well as to be compatible with each other and work together for greater coverage and accuracy. They can be adapted to entire street plazas and parking lots, whether indoors or outdoors.
