Eleven-x, a Canadian-based IoT company, has recently been selected for one of the largest municipal smart parking installations in North America. The project, located in Arlington County, Virginia, aims to bring a new level of efficiency and convenience to parking for both residents and visitors.
The smart parking system will utilize eleven-x’s wireless technology to monitor parking spots and provide real-time data on availability. This will enable drivers to quickly find available spots and reduce the amount of time spent circling the block in search of parking. The data will also be used to optimize parking enforcement and reduce congestion in the area.
The smart parking solution supports Arlington County’s objectives of improving quality of life, sustainability and economic development.
The project is being hailed as a major milestone in smart city development. By incorporating IoT technology into parking management, Arlington County is taking a step towards reducing traffic and improving urban mobility. The smart parking system will also have a positive impact on the environment by reducing the amount of emissions from idling cars.
The Technology
Eleven-x will install and integrate about 5,000 of its SPS-X sensors on-street parking stalls around the commercial district. The SPS-X sensor will identify key parking trends such as occupancy/use patterns, underutilized parking spaces, hot spot indicators and more. Drivers will then be able to find rapidly on-street parking, which will help in reducing cruising and congestion. The company claims their SPS-X sensor has an efficiency of 99.5%. i.e. highest in the industry.
This helps in improving overall safety in the area and helping lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
While the public facing use of this data will provide real-time parking guidance to available spots, these metrics will also be an essential input into eXactpark’s software that includes several features to help the county address traffic and parking concerns.
A wayfinding app helps the drivers provide info on real time stall occupancy and with the aid of signs find available parking. This capability will help the county achieve the target parking and stall availability targets, which helps in traffic congestion and addressing parking issues. Additionally, eXactpark’s software platform will be integrated with pay meters to enable dynamic pricing initiatives, which according to eleven-x is a key requisite for the county.
The wireless technology is particularly well-suited for parking management, as it can operate over long distances and in challenging urban environments. The company has already successfully implemented smart parking solutions in other municipalities across North America, and this new project will further solidify their reputation as a leading provider of IoT technology.
The installation of the smart parking system is expected to take place over the coming months, with completion scheduled for later this year. Once completed, the system will be a major asset for Arlington County, improving the overall parking experience for residents and visitors alike.
In addition to the benefits for drivers and the environment, the smart parking system will also provide valuable data to the county, allowing them to optimize parking management and make informed decisions about future infrastructure projects. This will ultimately lead to a more efficient and sustainable city, and position Arlington County as a leader in smart city development.
SFpark, San Francisco
San Francisco is one of the pioneers in the field of smart parking. In 2010, the city launched SFpark, a program that uses sensors to detect available parking spaces in real-time. The information is then transmitted to a centralized database, which is accessible via mobile apps and electronic signs. The program has been very successful in reducing congestion and improving the overall parking experience in the city.
The program utilizes smart parking meters that change their prices according to location, time of day, and day of the week, with the goal of keeping about 15% of spaces vacant on any given block. It is one of several such systems in the world.
The system seeks to reduce the time and fuel wasted by drivers searching for an open space. Parking usage is monitored via sensors placed in the asphalt and the availability and prices can be checked via SFpark.org app on mobile devices.
Smart cities around the world are implementing a range of innovative mobility solutions, as cities seek to reduce traffic congestion, promote sustainable transportation, and enhance the mobility experience for their residents. From autonomous vehicles and electric bikes to flying taxis and driverless taxis, smart cities are embracing a wide range of new mobility technologies and solutions.
In hindsight, projects like Arlington County smart parking will bring new levels of efficiency and convenience and serve as a model for other cities looking to implement similar solutions. As smart city development continues to accelerate, we can expect to see more companies like eleven-x leading the way in IoT technology and urban innovation.
