Remotely monitor and control parking facilities

First published in Intertraffic Innovation News - May 6, 2020

The Paradox Engineering Smart Urban Network allows municipalities to monitor and control parking facilities remotely, collecting and taking advantage of a full range of parking-related data, such as the number of available lots in a specific area, the duration of each parking and possible abuses, including vehicles exceeding time limits, unauthorised parking in disabled spots or in electric vehicle charging stations, and more.

These pieces of information enable smarter management of existing facilities and the increase of average usage rates, with the opportunity of setting dynamic pricing schemes and even launching emission-based fares. By seamlessly integrating the solution with mobile apps, variable message panels and traffic guidance systems, it is possible to alert drivers with real-time parking availability and route them to the nearest facility.

Paradox Engineering, part of the MinebeaMitsumi group, says people will enjoy an easier, quicker, cheaper and more relaxed parking search, as traffic congestion will be reduced by up to 30 per cent, thanks to the decrease in cars looking for a free parking lot. Air pollution will be reduced accordingly.

The solution opens up the opportunity to launch additional services by collaborating with third parties. For instance, the Smart Parking mobile app could be enriched with toll payment features and online booking services. At the same time, local shops and businesses could be given the means to offer parking coupons and valet services, or reserve spaces for their own customers.