By: Nathan Donnell, CAPP
I remember when I was a kid (I can hear my grandmother saying that same exact thing)—man, I’m getting old! I went to Disney’s Epcot Center in 1985. I was enamored with what the future had in store for civilization by the year 2015. Flying cars, supercomputers, and personal submarines were three things that stood out in my mind at 10 years old. Two out of three is not bad! Flying cars may still not be a thing; however, connected vehicles are.
I joined the IPMI Technology Committee in 2017, and the theme the committee came up with that year was connected vehicles: “Understanding the Revolution is the eighth in a series of parking-specific presentations by IPI’s Parking Technology Committee. This year’s presentation explores the connected vehicle and its impact on parking. We all hear and see the buzzwords: automated, self-driving, driverless, connected vehicles. What exactly does it all mean? Will Uber take over the world in 2020? Will parking facilities become less necessary due to the changing landscape? Who pays for a shared vehicle to park, and how? And how does this new technology now being packaged into our vehicles impact the parking industry and your current and future operations?”
As a society, we’ve never been more connected. You can access just about anything you want with the phone you hold in your hand. You can video call a friend or family member living on the other side of the earth. How does this fit into our world of parking? In the bustling landscape of urban mobility, the convergence of technology and transportation has brought forth a revolutionary phenomenon: connected cars. These vehicles, equipped with advanced sensors, communication systems, and data analytics capabilities, are reshaping the way we navigate city streets. Among the myriads of industries impacted by this transformation, the parking sector stands out as a key beneficiary.
One of the most immediate benefits of connected cars is their ability to provide real-time navigation and parking assistance to drivers. Integrated GPS systems coupled with data from traffic and parking databases enable drivers to locate available parking spots efficiently. This not only reduces the time spent circling streets in search of parking but also alleviates traffic congestion and carbon emissions associated with unnecessary driving. Gone are the days of hoping a space is available in the garage once you pull up. You can find, reserve, and prepay on the way to your destination.
Connected cars facilitate the implementation of dynamic pricing models in parking facilities. By analyzing factors such as demand, time of day, and special events, parking operators can adjust pricing dynamically to optimize occupancy rates and revenue. Moreover, real-time data from connected cars allows for predictive analytics, enabling operators to anticipate parking demand and allocate resources effectively. More parking operators are partnering with auto manufacturers to share data which gives them a leg up on their competition.
Connected cars enable seamless payment processes through integrated payment platforms. Drivers can pay for parking automatically through mobile apps or vehicle interfaces, eliminating the need for physical transactions. This not only enhances convenience for drivers but also reduces operational costs for parking operators.
With the advent of connected cars, parking facilities can optimize space utilization more effectively. Advanced sensors installed in connected vehicles can detect available parking spaces and communicate this information to centralized parking management systems. As a result, parking spaces can be utilized more efficiently, reducing the need for expansive parking infrastructure and freeing up valuable urban real estate for other purposes.
Despite the numerous benefits, the integration of connected cars into the parking industry is not without challenges. Privacy concerns regarding the collection and usage of vehicle data must be addressed through robust data protection measures and transparent policies.
The synergy between connected cars and the parking industry represents a paradigm shift in urban mobility. By leveraging advanced technology and data-driven insights, parking solutions are becoming more efficient, convenient, and sustainable. As cities continue to grapple with congestion and environmental concerns, the integration of connected cars offers a promising avenue for transforming the urban landscape and shaping the future of transportation. I can’t wait to revisit this article seven years from now and see how much further we’ve progressed as an industry.
This article was originally published on IPMI's Parking & Mobility website. Read the entire article here: Innovation & Technology | Revolutionizing Urban Mobility (parking-mobility-magazine.org)