Coord: City of Omaha Launches City’s First-Ever Smart Zones to Better Manage the Curb
City of Omaha Launches City’s First-Ever Smart Zones to Better Manage the Curb
In partnership with curb management platform, Coord, Omaha pilots innovative Smart Zones to better coordinate curbside loading, reducing congestion, improving safety and supporting local economic activity
Omaha, NE, September 21, 2020 – The City of Omaha, in partnership with Coord, a leading curb management company, today announced the launch of its first-ever Smart Zone pilot program to better manage the city’s curbs. This builds on Omaha’s effort to develop a robust regional transportation strategy and follows their selection by Coord as one of four U.S. cities to participate in the company’s inaugural Digital Curb Challenge to undertake a brand new curb management program.
Demand for curb space in cities is rapidly changing as on-demand delivery, e-commerce and freight activity continue to grow. Smart Zones, powered by Coord’s technology, can meet cities’ needs by enabling commercial drivers to use the mobile devices they already use every day to locate nearby available loading zones and to hold, book, and pay for time in them. As a result, Smart Zones improve the coordination, safety and convenience of curbside delivery and service vehicle loading in cities. They can also offer a more streamlined experience for drivers, reducing the incidence of safety and congestion hazards, such as double-parking and parking citations.
“Well-managed curb access for service and delivery vehicle drivers makes it easier for businesses to receive supplies and services,” said Ken Smith, Omaha Parking & Mobility Manager. “We are excited to partner with Coord – this new technology will tell us where, when and how loading space is needed. By improving the safety and efficiency of these deliveries we improve the parking experience for everyone in our urban core.”
Park Omaha has deployed five Smart Zones located in Omaha’s busy Downtown and Old Market district:
- 14th and Capitol, southeast corner
- 19th and Harney, southwest corner
- 16th and Harney, northwest corner
- West side of 13th, between Farnam and Harney
- West side of 10th, between Harney and Howard
Coord’s Smart Zones will also provide Park Omaha with information that is essential in empowering the city to make data-driven operational changes. For example, curb data can be used to create more loading space where it’s most needed or help manage demand for it through pricing and time limits. Because Smart Zone availability, rules and prices are digitally communicated to drivers, Coord’s platform allows a city to make rules adjustments for zones in response to policy changes, special events or emergencies without the hassle and expense of modifying signage on the street. You can learn more about a Smart Zone program in this video.
“Well-managed loading zones can reduce double-parking and other behaviors that create safety hazards and impede traffic flow, making downtowns more convenient, safe and pleasant to visit,” said Dawn Miller, Coord’s Head of Policy and Partnerships. “As cities look for opportunities to support their brick and mortar businesses, they see creating safe, accessible downtowns – accomodating a mix of in-person and delivery/pickup business – as a way they can make a real difference. We are thrilled to launch this program with the Park Omaha team and look forward to tackling these same challenges with cities across North America in the year ahead.”
For more information on Omaha’s Smart Zone pilot, please visit coord.com/omaha-smart-zonesand https://www.parkomaha.com/smart-zones
About Coord
Coord is transforming city streets, starting with the curb. Coord is the only comprehensive curb management platform, empowering cities with technology to digitally operate and price the curb at scale, creating more efficient, safe and equitable streets. Recognized by CNBC Upstart 100 and Fast Company’s Innovation by Design, Coord partners include cities like Seattle, Boston, Pittsburgh, Omaha, Nashville, Aspen, Boulder and West Palm Beach. Coord is based in New York City and backed by Alphabet’s Sidewalk Labs, Alliance Ventures, Trucks, Urban.us and DB Digital Ventures. For more information, visit coord.com.
About Park Omaha
Park Omaha is the Parking & Mobility Division for the City of Omaha. As a part of the Public Works Department, Park Omaha is tasked with the proactive and efficient management of parking resources and generating enough revenue to support operations, maintenance and improvements while balancing parking supply and demand. The Division also coordinates mobility efforts to ensure easier, more seamless journeys and smoother commerce across a range of local transportation options. Learn more about Omaha’s Parking & Mobility Division at https://www.parkomaha.com/