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Innovations in parking often are neglected in the conversation around improved traffic management. Boosting public transport is the go-to idea for most policymakers, but it may not always work. Now, experts are starting to believe that smarter solutions derived from parking data, and not more public transport, could be the secret key to ease traffic congestion in cities today.

If we think about it, an over-expansion of public transport may lead to problems like too many commuters having to leave their cars near public transport hubs, causing further overcrowding of vehicles. On the other hand, wielding data through smart parking solutions to aid motorists in locating and accessing car parks in real-time can genuinely assist in reducing traffic congestion, especially in metropolises.

Data-Driven Smart Parking

Believe it or not, but hunting for a parking space is one of the top causes behind congestion today. People circling the streets, trying to find a spot to park, is a leading cause for anxiety and doubles the number of vehicles on the road. Therefore, an enhanced understanding of parking data can help municipalities make better policies around parking.

Proper and timely parking data collection can inform authorities where exactly the problem of congestion emerges from. In addition to helping formulate effective policies around parking, smart parking solutions can also help rectify this situation immensely.

What Is Smart Parking and Why Is It Needed?

Smart parking incorporates IoT, sensors, flexible payment systems, and intelligent navigation through applications deployed on smartphones or other portable devices. These apps then inform motorists of the available parking options in real-time.

Smart parking innovations reduce the time wasted by motorists looking for parking spaces. It also maximizes the revenue of parking lot owners by increasing the usage as well as the frequency of their parking facilities. It is essential to know that smart parking apps heavily rely on parking data to relay accurate information to drivers.

This innovation in parking saves motorists fuel, time, money, and energy. Smart parking also lowers an individual’s carbon footprint as they waste fewer kilometers looking for a parking spot. Additionally, drivers also are less distracted while trying to find a place to park. This innovation increases the road safety of both motorists as well as pedestrians. This technology also reduces the stress and anxiety levels of drivers by taking away the unpredictability of finding a parking space, as they now know just where to park.

The Bottom Line

Most metropolises today are operating at maximum capacities. Smart parking solutions can take a serious load off by awarding higher efficiency to urban mobility. Municipalities urgently need to manage the current and future impact of traffic congestion by leveraging smart parking systems that collect, analyze, and relay data to motorists in real-time.