Parking IoT Technologies: Exploring Smart Parking Systems

With the surge in car ownership, finding parking spots in densely populated areas is becoming increasingly challenging. The search for available lots consumes valuable time, contributes to heightened traffic on roads, and strains infrastructure. To address these challenges, innovative technologies such as IoT parking occupancy sensors, parking garage management, and radar & geomagnetic technology are actively being introduced to the industry. This article delves into the application of these technologies in reducing parking-related accidents, minimizing search time, and enhancing driver comfort.

Smart Parking IoT
Table of Contents

Challenges in Car Parking
Advancements in Smart Parking Solutions
The Role of IoT in Parking Software Technologies
IoT-Based Parking Management Software
Benefits of Smart Parking Systems
Examples of IoT Devices for Intelligent Parking Systems
IoT Parking Software Development

Challenges in Car Parking

The escalating demand for parking spaces arises from two significant trends – the increase in car ownership and the ongoing process of urbanization. To grasp the extent of parking challenges faced by municipal communities, consider the following statistics:

According to the World Bank, over four billion people worldwide reside in cities, surpassing half of the global population. This figure is expected to reach 60% by 2030. The expanding scale of urbanization introduces challenges in infrastructure planning and transportation networks, including a rising need for convenient parking.

The search for parking leads to significant losses in both time and money. Approximately 35% of total commute time is spent looking for a parking spot. According to USAToday, the economic cost of wasted time and fuel per driver amounts to $345.

Anticipating the demands introduced by autonomous vehicles is essential, including the need for charging stations and adherence to varied parking rules for different locations.

Smart Parking IoT
Advancements in Smart Parking Solutions
A survey by the Smart Parking Institute reveals that 42% of respondents emphasize the necessity of parking systems. Fortunately, technologies such as parking lot sensor systems, connected platforms, radar & geomagnetic technology, and various IoT applications enable drivers to locate available parking spots and access real-time parking maps in the future.

Current innovations in the field include the following smart parking applications:

1. Tracking Cars with IoT Parking Occupancy Sensors
IoT serves as the core technology for vehicle tracking platforms, utilizing tools like GPS or OBD sensors to collect location data. IoT parking occupancy sensors monitor the occupancy of parking spaces, providing clear insights to drivers and fleet managers.

While IoT-based vehicle trackers are currently prevalent in large-scale corporate organizations for fleet management, the accessibility of the Internet of Things is expected to increase with the deployment of 5G, making parking technology more widespread among individual drivers.

2. Smart Counter Systems with Radar & Geomagnetic Technology
Connected counting systems detect vehicle entries and exits from parking facilities, offering real-time counters of available spots. Radar & geomagnetic technology enhances the accuracy of these systems, helping facility managers enhance efficiency and predict future vehicle surges.

Smart Parking IoT
3. Automated Parking Systems
Automated parking systems optimize space utilization by moving cars within the facility. These systems enhance security, reduce parking search times, and minimize environmental impact by reducing engine emissions.

Automated parking facilities require minimal resource usage, as they demand less light and ventilation compared to traditional parking structures.

4. Control Systems
IoT contributes to urban safety by reinforcing traffic compliance. Parking control systems, equipped with sensors and fast data processing algorithms, swiftly detect parking rule violations, issue tickets, and notify violators, promoting order and safety.

The Role of IoT in Parking Software Technologies
Smart parking has a significant impact on all stakeholders involved. Drivers can book parking spaces in advance, plan trips based on parking availability, and reinforcement agencies can swiftly detect and evaluate parking rule violations.

Parking facility managers benefit from space and resource optimization, efficient planning, and community leaders enhance the overall comfort of city residents by implementing IoT parking solutions.

Additional benefits offered by IoT in the parking sector include:

Sponsored meter time extension, notifying drivers when meters are about to expire and enabling one-click extensions.
Identification of ‘red’ zones, alerting drivers to bus stops, loading zones, and handicapped parking spots to reduce violations.
Efficient citywide parking space utilization through automated planners adjusting meter rates based on occupancy data.
Smart Parking IoT

IoT Parking Management Software
An IoT-based parking management system serves as a comprehensive solution, connecting drivers, law enforcement, facility managers, and other stakeholders. To perform optimally, such a system should leverage key features:

An interface displaying free and occupied parking spaces, incorporating IoT parking occupancy sensors and radar & geomagnetic technology.
Real-time monitoring accessible from any device, ensuring drivers can view available spots in real time.
API for end-user and management applications, enabling third-party integrations and compatibility with other monitoring tools.
User-friendly interfaces with access permissions for different user groups, ensuring ease of use for all drivers.
Benefits of Smart Parking Systems
With the urban population on the rise, the demand for living and infrastructure space is higher than ever. Smart parking management systems offer several benefits to urban communities:

Real-time monitoring simplifies the parking process, reducing guesswork and unpredictability.
Enhanced control for consumers, businesses, and law enforcement, promoting safety and efficient parking violation monitoring.
Optimization of space and time in busy urban environments, mitigating traffic congestion and allowing efficient use of available space.
Anticipation of vehicle flow by analyzing parking routines, providing valuable insights for optimizing parking spots.

Examples of IoT Devices for Intelligent Parking Systems
Contrary to expectations of smart parking technology taking 10-15 years to become commonplace, several successful connected applications are already on the market. Here are notable examples:

Huawei: Collaborated with China Unicom to develop an NB-IoT system for smart street parking, offering remote booking, fee payment, and an interactive parking availability map.

SmartParking: An IoT-integrated parking management system with environmental sensors, cloud-based platforms, and automated payment features.

PlacePod: A sensor system for vehicle detection and parking space monitoring with long battery life and resistance to harsh environments.

Siemens: Utilizes in-pavement and overhead vehicle detectors for parking space monitoring, providing real-time occupancy overviews.

IoT Parking Devices and Platform with Our Company

Our company offers custom IoT parking solution design and development services for organizations integrating smart parking technologies. We ensure efficient, scalable, and secure solution that adheres to industry standards, promoting a proactive approach to address the needs of urban communities.

contact us now for a parking occupancy detector offer!