Urbiotica Paves The Way For Technology Applied To Curbside Management In Toronto

Urbiotica deploys its technology in collaboration with its partner Electromega in Toronto, Canada, as part of a pilot project named the “Transportation Innovation Challenge (TIC) – Parking and Curbside Vehicle Detection.” The objective was to test various technologies with the ultimate goal of improving parking space management in the city of Toronto, particularly in areas without color-designated parking spots. The lack of specific divisions in these zones presents challenges in terms of availability and efficient use of parking space.

To address this, a city-wide parking strategy was developed to meet the curbside needs, and to more effectively align parking policies with goals related to climate change, housing accessibility, and traffic congestion.

The purpose was to firsthand experiment with new technologies and examine how they could contribute to achieving the parking strategy objectives.

The project conducted a specific trial to identify innovative solutions that optimize space allocation, improve availability, and provide a more efficient experience for residents and visitors in the city. Different use cases were presented: electric charging, loading areas, accessible parking, general parking area, and pay-by-space parking. The trial was successfully conducted, overcoming challenges associated with the lack of visual demarcation.

Additionally, this project tested the robustness and resilience of Urbiotica’s technology in adverse weather conditions. This challenge was also satisfactorily met despite Toronto being a demanding location due to its cold and snowy weather.

The project included the following Urbiotica products:

U-Spot Sensors: Detection technology. Several U-Spot sensors were installed to collect real-time data on parking space occupancy. These sensors use magnetic detection spot and transmit the collected data to the platform via mobile networks.

Parktime: Guidance app. Parktime simplifies the process for drivers using the application, providing them with information on parking space occupancy and allowing them to declare the use of parking spaces. By using the app, they certify their correct usage to the relevant administration.

ParkCtrl: Regulated parking control app. ParkCtrl enables efficient management of compliance and enforcement of regulated parking rules by digitizing the process and generating automatic alerts when parking spaces are misused.

The tested technology was key to the success of the pilot project:

The tested technology proved to be a crucial element for the success of the pilot project in providing effective solutions for smart parking in the city of Toronto. The accuracy and robustness of U-Spot were essential for achieving precise system reliability, ensuring project success.

The system’s adaptability to extreme winter conditions was also a notable aspect and an essential component in addressing Toronto’s climate challenges, thus setting a precedent for efficient solutions in Canadian urban space management. This achievement significantly contributed to the overall success of the project, solidifying its position as a model for the implementation of smart technologies in urban environments. The city of Toronto will soon release a report with the details and results of this project.

About Urbiotica

Urbiotica was born in 2008 with the mission to bring the most innovative technology to society through urban environments. Its vision is to help cities become more manageable, efficient, and sustainable, improving the quality of life of its citizens.