As public transit expands and cities begin to prioritize green initiatives, many public parking spaces may be removed, writes technology entrepreneur Jeremy Zuker in an article for Buildings.com. However, for building owners in smart cities, this presents a unique opportunity in smart parking.
Zuker, who co-founded WhereiPark to leverage unused parking spaces, explains how smart parking works. He says that drivers looking for a place to park can download an app that leads them to available spaces near their destination. The driver then pays a rate according to the demand at any given time, and the building’s owners benefit by earning money from the unused space.
Highlighting that smart cities must also be green cities, Zuker says that smart parking can even help with that. “The average American spends 17 hours a year searching for parking in urban settings, which amounts to wasted fuel and unnecessary pollution,” he writes. Smart parking is also inexpensive in terms of setup and infrastructure, requiring only an app, and potentially scanners and sensors in the available spots.
“The image of the smart city is ever evolving as innovations emerge to meet new socio-political and economic conditions,” says Zuker. “Thankfully, buildings and facilities with integrated parking spaces can turn those lots into sustainable, efficient rental spaces for drivers looking for a place to park.”
