Fleximodo: Citywide Adaptation of Smart Parking in Pardubice

1. About the Client

The city of Pardubice, a growing urban area in the Czech Republic, faced increasing challenges in managing parking spaces effectively. With over 3,800 parking spots divided between residents and visitors, ensuring fair access, optimizing space utilization, and enforcing rules became progressively more complicated as the population grew and traffic density increased.

Before implementing the new smart parking system, the city managed a total of 3,815 parking spaces, divided into 516 spaces for residents and 3,289 spaces for visitors. Parking operations were supported by 91 parking meters, processing approximately 65,000 to 75,000 parking transactions monthly, with two-thirds of payments originating from parking machines.

This project became the largest deployment of Smart Parking technology in Europe, positioning Pardubice as a pioneer in transforming urban parking management at scale.

2. The Issue

Pardubice faced several challenges related to parking management:

• Inefficient Utilization of Parking Spaces: A lack of real-time data on space occupancy meant some areas were underutilized while others faced congestion.
• Manual Enforcement: Parking enforcement was time-consuming, inefficient, and unable to address violations in a timely manner.
• Revenue Leakage: Despite increasing demand for parking, outdated systems made it challenging to capture full revenue potential or analyze payment behavior.

The city aimed to improve parking efficiency, generate additional revenue, and enhance the overall experience for residents and visitors while balancing enforcement and legislative requirements. To address these challenges, Pardubice turned to a complex of partners T-Mobile CZ, GOSPACE LABS (the Mother brand of Fleximodo), Villa Pro, and NEDAP for an innovative, data-driven solution.

3. Our Solution

Pilot Phase

The project began with a pilot in Pernerova Street, where 54 IoT Parking Sensors were installed to test the reliability and functionality of the technology. This trial phase ensured that the sensors met the city’s requirements, achieving a 99% accuracy rate.

Key outcomes from this phase included:

• Validating the technical parameters of the IoT Parking Sensors.
• Gaining insights into installation challenges and timeframes, allowing for smoother scaling during the full rollout.
• Demonstrating the feasibility of real-time data collection to plan further expansions effectively.

This trial period proved that the sensors meet the technical parameters, allowing the city to proceed with the modification of the remaining parking spaces. According to the schedule, approximately 100 parking spaces should be equipped daily so that, in some cases, work associated with new signage is completed by the end of September,” said Deputy Mayor for Transportation Petr Kvaš.

The successful trial provided the confidence to scale up the system and expand to additional locations.

Full Implementation Phase

Following the pilot’s success, the city moved into full implementation, rolling out the system across all parking zones.

Key aspects of this phase included:

• Installation of 3,421 IoT Parking Sensors by Fleximodo across Pardubice’s paid parking zones, excluding specific areas like Závodu míru, which were managed with camera systems.
• Distribution of 5,000 PepIQ by ParkDots – electronic identifiers for residents to ensure priority parking.
• Deployment of state-of-the-art camera technology for license plate recognition to monitor entry and exit in areas with nearly 800 parking spaces.
• Sharing real-time occupancy data via a mobile app, centralized management system, and 12 LED panels installed at key locations.

In historical zones such as Pernštýnské Square, sensor installation adhered to strict conservation guidelines to preserve the city’s cultural integrity.

4. Technology Used

The solution was designed with both technological advancement and the preservation of the city’s cultural heritage in mind:

• IoT Parking Sensors: The sensors use nanoradar and magnetometer technology to accurately detect vehicle presence, even in challenging conditions such as snow or rain. Measures were taken to prevent false detections and ensure consistent reliability.
• Bluetooth-Based Identifiers: 5,000 PepIQ tokens were distributed to residents, allowing seamless identification of authorized vehicles.
• License Plate Recognition (LPR): Advanced cameras were installed to monitor entry and exit in high-volume parking zones, ensuring automated oversight.
• Dynamic Information Sharing: Real-time occupancy data was displayed on 12 LED panels at key points, integrated into mobile apps and central management software.
• Smart Payment Systems: Upgraded parking meters supported electronic payments, reducing reliance on cash or SMS payments.

5. The Results

The new system delivered significant improvements across all major pain points:

• Increased Revenue: Parking revenues rose from CZK 23 million annually to nearly CZK 40 million within three years, driven by better rule enforcement and electronic payment adoption.
• Higher Compliance: The use of IoT sensors and electronic permit cards increased parking compliance rates to over 90% in multiple areas.
• Enhanced User Experience: The introduction of digital payment options and automated systems reduced friction for users and encouraged the adoption of electronic payments, which grew from CZK 200,000 to nearly CZK 1 million monthly.
• Improved Enforcement Efficiency: Enforcement teams now receive real-time alerts on when and where violations are detected, significantly reducing manual workload and ensuring compliance.
• Better Data-Driven Decisions: Statistical and predictive analytics allowed the city to optimize pricing, allocate spaces more effectively, and plan for future expansions.

Thanks to the system, the city has a clear overview of which locations are the busiest, where accessibility issues arise, and can respond to these situations with better planning. Additionally, the data enables monitoring the effectiveness of implemented measures, such as new pricing zones,” said Bohdan Jacoš, Head of Fleximodo.

6. Key Benefits

• Flexibility and Adaptability: The IoT system allowed dynamic monitoring of parking usage, enabling Pardubice to explore flexible pricing models despite legislative constraints.
• Sustainability: Better space utilization and reduced congestion supported the city’s environmental goals.
• Scalability: The system is designed to accommodate future expansions, including advanced enforcement tools like ANPR cameras or dynamic pricing for events.

One of the truly significant benefits of this technology is the continuous stream of information we will receive in real-time, which we can use for planning parking policies. We will be able to evaluate how paid parking zones are functioning without having to commission special analyses costing hundreds of thousands of crowns,” said Deputy Mayor Petr Kvaš.

7. Challenges and Learnings

While the system was successful, it highlighted areas for further improvement:

• Legislative Hurdles: Static pricing models mandated by law limited the city’s ability to implement dynamic pricing. This remains a key area for future advocacy and reform.
• Behavioral Change: While electronic payments increased, some residents still preferred cash or SMS methods, necessitating continued education and incentive programs.

Conclusion

The Pardubice case study demonstrates how IoT technology, combined with thoughtful planning and collaboration, can transform urban parking management. While legislative barriers remain challenging, the city has made significant steps forward in improving efficiency, revenue, and user satisfaction, setting a benchmark for other municipalities to follow.

Pardubice’s success is a model for cities worldwide. If you’re looking to revolutionize parking management and increase efficiency, Fleximodo’s solutions offer a proven path forward.

About Fleximodo

We are experts in IoT, miniaturization, long-distance communication, space-qualified electronics, and telecommunication technologies. Our team develops cutting-edge technologies, also leveraged for Fleximodo's smart parking solutions. Fleximodo offers high-precision, cost-effective IoT tools for sustainable and efficient parking.