The problem: More and more cars
While searching for a parking space, a passenger car consumes 7 % of the total fuel. This results in unnecessary costs for people and nature every year: avoidable fuel consumption contributes to climate change. At the same time, air pollution in city centers is increasing. In contrast to numerous other industries, digitization has not yet taken hold in the area of transport infrastructure.
Induction loops have been used to record traffic for decades. However, both installation and maintenance are associated with considerable costs. Since the road surface has to be milled over a large area, this also takes an enormous amount of time. The construction site causes additional congestion and unwanted detours. Our company has developed an intelligent solution for these obsolete induction loops.
The solution: TAPS
With TAPS, we have developed a system for the smart Parking and traffic management created. With this system we present a complete solution. It is capable of recording the data of flowing and stationary traffic. This creates a networked traffic and parking management system.
Because we designed TAPS to be modular, it can be customized. If required, the system can be used exclusively for parking management within the framework of parking space management. It always remains expandable.
The Term: Smart Parking
With intelligent parking, the intention is to minimize the effort and costs for the motorist. The basis for this is the collection and evaluation of data. These systems can therefore be seen as part of the Internet of Things. Depending on the provider, however, the implementations differ significantly.
For example, there are concepts aimed at car manufacturers. These systems are designed to help drivers find a parking space more quickly, with data being collected via sensors in the cars. Other manufacturers' systems aim to collect data via satellite in order to use this information to develop a parking management system for cities and municipalities.
Our system relies on ground sensors that can be used flexibly. These sensors can be used to monitor and control both moving and stationary traffic. Thus, the concept lays the foundation for intelligent parking, which is integrated into our comprehensive traffic management.
The ground sensor
Our ground sensor is the first model in the world to operate completely self-sufficiently in terms of energy. Since the sensor collects the data for parking and traffic management, it takes center stage. The entire system is based on this ground sensor. The aim during development was to collect as much data as possible with as little infrastructure as possible.
Thanks to our innovative energy concept, the ground sensor is completely energy self-sufficient. This means that neither an accumulator nor a battery is required. Through this concept, we keep the maintenance effort to a minimum. Different sensor technologies are installed for the detection of the cars.
Thanks to our innovative energy concept, the ground sensor is completely energy self-sufficient. This means that neither an accumulator nor a battery is required. Through this concept, we keep the maintenance effort to a minimum. Different sensor technologies are installed for the detection of the cars.
TAPS - how the system works
The ground sensor records the data. In the case of parking, this means: "the parking space is occupied" or "the parking space is free". The transmission from the sensor in the ground to the LTS-TAPS gateway takes place via a proprietary radio signal. This is a relay station located not far from the ground sensor.
From the gateway, the data reaches the customer's desired infrastructure directly after processing. This can be a local server or a cloud. We offer different interfaces (RS232/RS422, Ethernet, Bluetooth, etc.) and thus respond to customer requirements. Integration into an existing system is also possible.
With the TAPS Software Suite, we offer our customers user-friendly real-time parking management software. This software is platform-independent, being either web-based or running on a local system. This software is also used to analyze and archive the collected data. We enable third-party software solutions via proven API services. Thus, our system represents a powerful all-in-one solution.
The advantages of our system for intelligent parking
Our system is characterized by low operating costs. Since the ground sensors also enable monitoring of roads, intelligent parking can be easily integrated into larger traffic concepts. The cost of installing a ground sensor is particularly low. Since it is a modular system, it can be easily expanded at a later date.
Customers receive a complete solution from a single source. We customize the software individually. We provide different interfaces for our platform-independent software. Thus, we meet the needs of our customers in the best possible way.
By evaluating the collected data, potential for improvement can be tracked down. More accurate forecasts become possible and future developments can be identified at an early stage: The quality of management increases. As a result, our parking management gives the customer the opportunity to react in the short term while at the same time developing a long-term strategy.
Potential use cases
Our system is suitable for monitoring each parking space in public parking lots individually. The concept can also be implemented in parking garages or on parking decks. With the help of our system, efficiency increases and optimal utilization is easily achievable. For people looking for a parking space, the comfort increases, as they can find a free parking space faster.
Parking management in public spaces also includes monitoring the parking ban. Thanks to our ground sensors, a parking ban can be controlled automatically. By using permits, we create exceptions for the police and fire department.
With the help of this type of parking monitoring, cities implement intelligent as well as effective resident parking in residential areas. For example, two parties can use a shared parking space. Overall, the protection of residents' parking increases because the system immediately registers violations: A towing service receives the corresponding message.
Parking spaces are scarce, especially in city centers. With our management system, drivers can find a free parking space more quickly. The system registers parking time overruns directly, making it easier to impose penalties. This increases the revenue for parking space management.
For who is our smart parking management system interesting?
Our parking management system is aimed primarily at cities, municipalities and public institutions. We started out as a company with a development contract. On behalf of the city of Zurich, we developed an alternative to conventional induction loops. Thus our origin lies in traffic planning. The addition of a parking management system creates a powerful planning and control tool for all cities.
In addition, the system offers decisive advantages for private parking space managers. But companies with large employee parking lots also have an interest in the optimal management of existing parking spaces. Real-time monitoring of spaces enables property managers to effectively implement parking regulations.
Traffic planners are not only concerned with flowing traffic. Our system makes it easy to collect traffic data. On this basis, better forecasts and thus improved planning of all traffic are possible. We give traffic planners an edge over the competition.
If you are interested and have questions about our traffic and parking management system or our ground sensor, please contact us today. Please use our Contact form. We will be happy to help you.
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