Smart Parking is Successful in Pécs
Imagine not having to worry about finding a parking space in downtown Pécs! One of the city's developments—the smart parking system—aims to provide this convenience for both locals and visitors. This system not only makes parking smoother but also reduces the environmental footprint, as less circling means fewer harmful exhaust gases.
Smart Parking: The Practical Implementation of a Green Idea
The smart parking system, completed in August 2022 in Pécs, monitors parking spaces with the help of intelligent sensors and transmits the data to users in real-time. During the installation of the system, which was created through the joint efforts of the city government and technological partners such as Vodafone, hundreds of sensors were placed at critical points in the city center, making parking less of a headache.
As part of the HungAIRy LIFE integrated project, 640 sensors and 5 displays were installed in downtown Pécs. Additionally, the local government installed 69 extra sensors beyond those undertaken in the project, so in total, about 710 sensors help those wishing to park in downtown Pécs.
Technology for a More Livable City
The system's operation is simple yet technologically innovative. Embedded sensors indicate whether a parking space is free or occupied, and this information is immediately displayed via a dedicated mobile app. This is complemented by information boards along the access routes to larger parking units, showing the number of available parking spaces. With the introduction of the system, parking time has significantly decreased, contributing to smoother city traffic flow and reduced street congestion. Mobile parking usage increased by 30% between 2019 and 2023.
Measurable Results and Vision
By March 2024, the smart parking mobile application had been downloaded to 4,000 devices, and users initiate approximately 20,000 mobile parking events per month through the Parker app. Since the introduction of smart parking, the time spent parking has decreased, while parking fee revenues have remained stable, showing that the system is economically sustainable. Additionally, the city's air quality has improved due to less circling. The project's success indicates that technological innovation not only makes everyday life easier but also promotes environmental sustainability.
Future plans include expanding the system to other parts of the city, which could solve parking problems on an even wider scale. The forward-thinking steps taken by the city of Pécs clearly show that using smart technologies can be key to creating a sustainable and livable urban environment. Therefore, smart parking is not just a technological innovation but also a green urban planning tool that contributes to a greener future for the city of Pécs.
The smart parking app can be downloaded: (Android here, IOS here)
