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The future of parking is revolutionary because more and more communities are ready to implement top-tier parking technology at scale. AI-enhanced License Plate Recognition (LPR), precision in curb management, and cloud-based parking management systems are no longer concepts—they're up and running. Various pilot projects across the US have proven just how smoothly these new parking technologies can operate.
Now, the challenge is to scale these parking trends so more cities, communities, and drivers can benefit from state-of-the-art public services. It's time for the best parking systems to become accessible to everyone.
AI-Powered Parking Enforcement: Shaping the Present and Future
Artificial intelligence is already making a real difference in parking enforcement. With License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems achieving 98% accuracy, cities can now enforce parking regulations with greater precision and efficiency. A prime example is Kitchener, Canada, which pioneered using AI-driven LPR in school zones. The outcome? A 100% success rate for contested tickets that proves the technology's reliability.
But AI's true strength lies in its adaptability. You can teach it to handle specific rules for different curbside scenarios and urban areas, whether monitoring school zones, managing bike lanes, or enforcing no-parking areas near fire hydrants. As these capabilities begin to transform parking enforcement, more cities can scale up parking operations and cover more areas with existing resources.
Moreover, as AI continues to integrate with urban infrastructures, its role will evolve from simply enforcing rules to helping predict and prevent parking issues before they arise. This way, smarter, more efficient systems will improve the overall experience for local authorities and citizens.
As we look to the future of AI in parking, it's essential to stay grounded in what we can realistically achieve. Shane Nolan, Director of Product Management at gtechna, sums it up well:
"There's a lot of buzz around AI, but at the end of the day, it's about accuracy, fairness, and improving efficiency and not replacing human judgment. The fundamental objective is to help people make better decisions faster. The goal isn't to automate for automation's sake, but to enhance public services in the parking industry and deliver better outcomes."
― Shane Nolan, Director of Product Management at gtechna
Remote Parking Enforcement: Expanding Opportunities for the Future
Here's how it works: when LPR detects a violation, the system automatically generates a citation, which is then mailed to the registered vehicle owner. Typically, there's human oversight at this stage to review and verify the data before the ticket is sent out for increased accuracy and fairness.
This approach allows cities to handle parking enforcement without drivers needing to encounter officers in person. It also eliminates some of the friction associated with immediate ticketing while ensuring that parking violations are still addressed.
However, scaling remote parking enforcement is more than just implementing the technology because it often requires local or state law updates. Texas is already leading the way. After state law was updated to permit remote parking enforcement, Galveston successfully rolled out the system. The city has since seen improvements in compliance, all while reducing the need for physical enforcement in busy areas. Pittsburgh is also on board, having modified its street codes to accommodate similar changes.
In addition to the efficiency and convenience of remote parking enforcement, safety is a critical advantage. As Butch Stroud, City Marshall of the Code Enforcement Department, points out:
"People can become quite upset when receiving a parking ticket, but with this system, they won't even know they've been cited until days later. This greatly reduces the likelihood of physical altercations, a significant safety benefit for our civilian parking enforcement team."
― Butch Stroud, City Marshall of the Code Enforcement Department
As cities like Galveston and Pittsburgh have demonstrated, regulatory frameworks must evolve for the broader adoption of these systems. The future of remote parking enforcement will depend on more cities making similar changes, clearing the path for broader implementation.
Curb Digitization: Automating Parking with Smart Parking Technology
Imagine this scenario: Vehicle-mounted AI LPR cameras continuously scan license plates as enforcement officers drive through parking areas, tracking occupancy, monitoring parking violations, and capturing real-time data. When paired with GIS Mapping, these systems help generate interactive digital maps that provide up-to-the-minute updates on available parking spots and any infractions.
Drivers can use this information to locate parking more quickly, while enforcement officers receive automatic alerts about parking violations, allowing them to respond faster.
This combination can offer 24/7 monitoring, ensuring that regulations are consistently enforced while reducing congestion. Plus, curb digitization extends beyond traditional parking spaces, covering loading zones, bike lanes, and EV charging stations.
James Olivieri, Sr. Enforcement Solutions Advisor at gtechna, explains, "When a curb is digitized, AI LPR can automatically ascertain compliance for things that traditional LPR simply can't handle. For instance, violations like parking too close to a fire hydrant, in a bus lane, near a yellow curb, or in a school zone can all be automatically flagged with corresponding evidence. This technology enhances parking programs and reduces enforcement costs while improving revenues."
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Smart Pricing and Easy Payment: Expanding Existing Infrastructure
Dynamic pricing helps keep high-demand spots available by adjusting real-time rates, whether for a big event or during rush hour. Moreover, it encourages drivers to park outside high-traffic areas, reducing traffic congestion and frustration. The key is to go beyond tweaking parking rates based on demand. Parking operators must also make the whole parking experience easier and less stressful. For this system to really work, paying for parking has to be just as easy.
Offering a mix of options like contactless payments, pay-by-phone, and digital permits means drivers can quickly pay without any hassle, no matter where they are.
This way, cities can manage parking more effectively while making it easier for drivers to park and get on with their day—without the usual headaches. Not only does this improve drivers' overall experience, but it also increases revenue and compliance and makes things run more smoothly for parking operators.
Sustainability in Parking: Green Innovations and Practices
Sustainability is becoming a big focus in the parking industry as operators look for ways to reduce environmental impact and embrace greener practices. One of the key innovations is the growing installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in parking spaces, encouraging more drivers to switch to cleaner transportation as EVs become more common.
Solar-powered parking lots are another exciting step forward, using solar energy to reduce reliance on traditional power sources. Many facilities also aim for green building certifications, which recognize energy-efficient and environmentally responsible designs.
On top of that, some parking facilities are going even further with features like green roofs, kinetic pavements, and wind turbines to generate power and lower their carbon footprint.
Final Thoughts
Municipalities constantly seek ways to improve their parking programs, and technology offers the perfect toolkit to make it happen. While some solutions may seem complex or difficult to implement right away, the flexibility of modern parking technology ensures there's always a way to make progress.
Parking solutions are highly customizable because every municipality has its own unique needs. The industry has evolved to meet this demand with adaptable tools. If there isn't an off-the-shelf solution for a parking challenge, it can almost certainly be built using the already available components.
Our projects prove this. Each success story in gtechna's portfolio has its own distinct solution tailored to a city's specific challenges. And the outcome is always the same: the system works, and the community is happy with the results. While not every driver loves the increased enforcement capabilities, many appreciate the streamlined processes—from enforcement to paying fines—making the experience far less disruptive than it used to be.
The key is being willing to think creatively and embrace change. With the right approach, municipalities can use existing technology to improve their parking programs and create better experiences for everyone involved.
Want to learn more about possible investments in parking or upgrades to your current system? Get in touch, and one of our Enforcement Solutions Advisors will reach out to discuss new technologies for your parking program.
