Quality of life in cities: A Smart Parking Solution

The major challenges we face in the coming years are the fight against climate change, energy transition and decarbonisation.

February 6, 2023

The increase in the number of LEZs in recent years

London, Amsterdam, Madrid, Paris, or Brussels are some of Europe’s biggest cities that have already begun the transition and should serve as an example for others. Existing LEZs already minimize air pollution. The greatest drop seen is a 32% reduction in NO2 levels in Madrid.

Low emissions zones will be gradually transformed into zero-emission mobility zones (ZEZs) to support policies encouraging the use of clean alternatives such as walking and cycling, as well as the electrification of all means of transportation, including public transport, shared and private vehicles, and delivery vans.

This transformation is also needed by climate objectives, which aim at ending the usage of internal combustion engines by the 2030s, with cities leading this change.

Smart, safe and sustainable cities with IoT

IoT is playing a crucial role in creating smart, safe, and sustainable cities by improving efficiency, increasing revenue, enhancing safety and security, reducing emissions and improving accessibility. IoT also allows for real-time monitoring of public areas, and better tracking and locating of vehicles.

Overall, IoT can greatly benefit the management of low emissions zones by providing a better understanding of the traffic and emissions, it helps city officials to make better decisions on managing the low emissions zone and making it more effective.

Real-time monitoring: IoT-enabled sensors and cameras can be used to monitor vehicle traffic in real-time, providing the city with data on the number of vehicles entering and exiting the low emissions zone.
Automatic enforcement: Smart cameras and license plate recognition technology can be used to automatically identify vehicles that do not comply with emissions regulations, and issue fines or penalties.
Dynamic pricing: Smart parking systems can be used to implement dynamic pricing, with higher fees for vehicles that do not comply with emissions regulations, to encourage compliance.
Public Information: IoT-enabled digital signs, mobile apps, and other tools can be used to provide citizens with real-time information on the status of the low emissions zone and the emissions requirements for different types of vehicles.
Data analytics: IoT-enabled systems can provide the public administration with data on emissions levels, traffic patterns, and compliance rates, allowing them to make informed decisions about managing the low emissions zone.
Smart Parking: Smart parking systems can be used to reduce emissions by reducing the amount of time vehicles spend idling in search of parking, contributing to a cleaner environment.

“A smart city allows citizens to interact with it in a multidisciplinary way and adapts in real-time to their needs, in a quality and cost-efficient way, offering open data, solutions and services oriented to citizens as people, to solve the effects of the growth of cities, in public and private areas, through the innovative integration of infrastructures with smart management systems.”

The challenge we face with Smart Parking IoT technology

The Internet of Things is enabling to reduce gas emissions and traffic congestion while increasing drivers’ health.
Finding parking in urban areas, whether public or private, is an everyday problem. The result is an increase in air and noise pollution, fuel consumption, traffic congestion and stress for citizens.
66% world’s population lives in urban areas. Public authorities are worried about the impact that the increase of people could have in the urban planning of metropolises.

How can a Smart Parking solution work for Citizens, Private companies and Public administration?

The IoT smart parking applications can bring many benefits for both citizens and cities.

The main benefits include improved parking efficiency, increased revenue for cities, enhanced safety and security, better data management, better accessibility for all and reduced emissions.

The usage of the Internet of Things (IoT) in smart parking applications can offer a wide range of benefits for citizens and public administrations:

Real-time parking availability: Citizens can access real-time information on parking availability, reducing the time spent searching for a parking spot.
Efficient traffic management: Smart parking systems can be integrated with traffic management systems to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion.
Reduced emissions: Smart parking systems can reduce emissions by reducing the amount of time vehicles spend idling in search of parking, contributing to a cleaner environment.
Cost savings: IoT-enabled smart parking systems can reduce the need for parking attendants, leading to cost savings for the city.
Improved customer experience: Smart parking systems can provide customers with an enhanced experience through the use of mobile apps and other digital tools to find and pay for parking.
Efficient traffic management: Smart parking systems can be integrated with traffic management systems to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion, improving overall mobility and reducing traffic-related costs.
Increased revenue: Smart parking systems can be used to increase revenue through dynamic pricing and targeted advertising.
Reduced congestion: Smart parking systems can be integrated with traffic management systems to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion, improving the overall travel experience for citizens.
Increased convenience: Citizens can use mobile apps and other digital tools to find and pay for parking, making the process more convenient.
Reduced emissions: Smart parking systems can reduce emissions by reducing the amount of time vehicles spend idling in search of parking, contributing to a cleaner environment.
Better data analytics: Smart parking systems can provide data on parking usage patterns, which can help public administrations make informed decisions about parking infrastructure and services, potentially leading to better parking options and services for citizens.
Improved quality of life and enhanced public safety: Smart parking systems can improve the overall quality of life for citizens by reducing traffic congestion and providing access to real-time information, making it easier to find parking, and improving the overall cleanliness and appearance of the city.