Tag Archives for: Curb management

ParkHub Acquires CurbTrac to Further Optimize Parking Payments

July 19, 2021

 

 

ParkHub Acquires CurbTrac to Further Optimize Parking Payments

 

 

Parking technology companies join forces to advance CurbTrac’s centralized mobile app solution and bolster ParkHub’s leading payment ecosystem

 

 

 

DALLAS  — ParkHub, the leading B2B parking technology provider, today announced its acquisition of CurbTrac, a parking payment management platform. As a result of the agreement, ParkHub will adapt CurbTrac’s software into its suite of services, and CurbTrac’s CEO, Charley DeBow, has joined ParkHub’s team to help direct the platform’s growth.

“ParkHub is dedicated to the notion that our industry’s advancement relies on collaboration,” said George Baker, Sr., ParkHub’s founder and CEO. “We are delighted to have reached a position where we can nurture innovative solutions that support our company’s aim and work with forward-thinking partners like Charley to deliver them to the public.”

ParkHub’s subscription-based service helps businesses increase revenue and customer satisfaction with flexible payment options, streamlined operations, and real-time data insights. The company’s technology is used by hundreds of event venues, universities, and recreation sites across the United States to drive efficient and profitable parking operations. The acquisition of CurbTrac’s payment management solution will extend ParkHub’s offering to a broader market segment.

CurbTrac’s software centralizes payment data from parking applications into a single platform, allowing cities, universities, and parking operators to offer multiple consumer payment options. The solution complements ParkHub’s platform in its ability to increase operational efficiency, promote secure, contactless payments, and drive revenue.

“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for CurbTrac, and I am thrilled to be joining the ParkHub team,” said Charley DeBow, CEO of CurbTrac. “Our collaboration will allow CurbTrac to leverage ParkHub’s first-class resources to refine our service, accelerate our growth, and enhance our clients’ experience.”

Both led by longtime, celebrated parking industry leaders, the companies plan to harness their combined perspectives and technology to continue providing exceptional service to their respective client bases.

About ParkHub
ParkHub is optimizing the world’s journeys by providing cutting-edge enterprise technology to support the destination industry. The company’s products offer contactless payment options, real-time operational data, robust performance analytics, and leading integrations with ticketing and parking reservation providers. For more information, visit parkhub.com.

About CurbTrac
CurbTrac provides enterprise mobility solutions that promote mobile payment adoption and enhance curb space management. The company’s software platform centralizes parking applications, allowing clients to improve efficiency, increase revenue, and reduce capital expenditures on traditional parking payment hardware.  Find out more at curbtrac.com.

Sidewalk Labs – Introducing Pebble: A low-cost way to manage parking and curbs

May 18, 2021

 

Sidewalk Labs – Introducing Pebble: A low-cost way to manage parking and curbs

 

 

Real-time insights can help garage and lot operators, real estate developers, and municipal agencies make the most of existing parking spaces — and build less of them in the future.

Parking in cities is a complex problem. Sometimes there’s not enough parking, which creates traffic congestion and vehicle pollution as drivers circle for a space at the curb, in a garage, or in a lot. And sometimes there’s way more parking than a place typically needs, which raises building costs and takes up space that might go toward housing, parks, or other valuable uses.

But parking operators, real estate developers, and municipal agencies don’t have access to the information they need to manage their parking supply most effectively. Existing parking availability technology tends to be expensive, difficult to install, or even invasive. That’s why Sidewalk Labs is excited to introduce Pebble: a low-cost, easy-install, privacy-preserving vehicle sensor designed to help manage parking in innovative and sustainable ways.

Pebble provides real-time data about parking space availability, with a dashboard to help analyze historical parking patterns. These insights can help communicate space availability to customers, reduce circling, and create shared parking zones that minimize the number of spaces built in the first place. Pebble’s low-infrastructure design also makes it easier to install and lower cost than existing street sensors on the market.

Pebble is already helping pilot customers manage tens of thousands of parking spaces and consider their future parking needs. If you’re a parking operator, developer, or city agency managing parking or curb spaces, reach out through our website to learn more. And if you just want to know more about how Pebble works and how it might be used to make cities more affordable and sustainable — keep reading!

Low cost, easy-install, low infrastructure

The wireless Pebble system consists of two easy-install parts:

  • Individual Pebble sensors can be quickly placed on a surface using adhesive. Though just 2.8 inches in diameter, these sensors have two sensing capabilities, improving accuracy and reliability over existing street sensors on the market.

  • The solar-powered Pebble gateway uses the cellular network, so it can be strapped to a pole without running new wires or trenching through pavement, which most existing street sensing systems require.

In addition to easy installation, Pebble is designed for low ongoing maintenance. Pebble sensors can operate for years on standard settings and have undergone rigorous real-world testing to ensure accuracy and reliability. The solar-powered gateway can operate indefinitely, even in cloudy conditions.

Once in place, Pebble sensors relay the presence (or absence) of a vehicle in real time. That’s all Pebble collects: whether or not a vehicle is there. The system uses no cameras or other ways to identify a person or vehicle. Consistent with our approach to data minimization, there simply wasn’t a need for such data to achieve the goal of vehicle detection. (We’ve also started thinking of ways to extend this privacy-sensitive approach to parking payment and permits.)

Let’s get into a few ways of using Pebble to improve quality of life in cities.

For operators, city agencies, and developers: Share real-time parking availability to improve navigation or encourage transit

Circling for parking accounts for up to 30 percent of traffic congestion in cities, with all the accompanying vehicle emissions. Pebble’s real-time parking availability insights can be integrated into navigation apps through our API, helping drivers navigate directly to an open space in a private lot or garage or at a city-managed curb.

Real-time parking information can also alert would-be drivers when spaces are limited before they even leave home, leading them to use alternative travel modes, such as park-and-ride transit or ferries. For example, a smart parking program at a BART park-and-ride station reduced driving by a monthly average of nearly 10 miles per person — and even shortened commutes.

For developers: Use insights to create shared parking zones and build less parking

Some cities allow developers to build less parking than regulations require if they can prove that sufficient space already exists to meet demand. This strategy is often called “shared” parking: for instance, a restaurant that does most of its business at night might share a parking garage with an office that’s open during the day, rather than each building their own.

Lack of information is a big hurdle to creating shared parking zones, but low-cost sensors like Pebble can help developers fill that gap. Such insights can reduce costs for developers significantly — a single parking space costs $24,000-$34,000, on average — leading to better uses of city space and potentially driving down costs for residents and tenants.

For city agencies: Optimize curbside use to generate revenue or support business

Competition for the curb is at an all-time high, a trend that accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic. Pebble enables city curb managers to implement flexible programs such as dynamic pricing or outdoor dining, generating revenue and supporting local businesses.

For example, the highly successful SFpark program — which used dynamic pricing to ensure spaces were available on every block — increased net parking revenue and cut circling in half during the pilot (2011–2013). But SFpark’s dynamic pricing strategy got started with information from a sophisticated sensor network, something the city could only afford thanks to a large federal grant. Pebble provides cities with a more affordable option.

Additionally, curb management companies like Coord (a Sidewalk Labs incubated company) are working with cities to allocate and manage “smart loading zones” for commercial deliveries. Space availability data at these zones could enable real-time reservations or redirect drivers to a nearby zone when another is occupied.

Looking ahead

This list of potential use cases for a product like Pebble is by no means exhaustive. We think a low-cost, easy-install, privacy-preserving way to measure parking and curb space can help get any number of new ideas for more sustainable and innovative cities off the ground. If you’re a parking operator, real estate developer, or curb manager interested in using Pebble, contact us at pebble@sidewalklabs.com or visit our website.

Automotus raises $2.3M to scale curbside management technology to cities across the country

March 25, 2021

Automotus raises $2.3M to scale curbside management technology to cities across the country

 

 

The company’s video analytics platform collects data on delivery vehicle traffic and parking, helping cities work with commercial operators to proactively allocate curbside space while generating new sources of revenue

 

 

 

Los Angeles, CA: Automotus, a video analytics platform that monitors curbside traffic to help cities better allocate and manage curb space, has raised $2.3M to expand its footprint to more cities and launch nationwide partnerships with commercial fleets. Investments were made by Quake Capital, Techstars Ventures, Kevin Uhlenhaker (co-founder & CEO at NuPark, acquired by Passport), and Baron Davis.

 

Automotus-conducted research suggests that 50% of parking violations, such as double-parking, dwelling in bike lanes, or blocking driveways, are unenforced and committed by commercial vehicles — a statistic that takes on even more gravity when considering that the number of delivery vehicles in inner cities is projected to increase 36% by 2030. Using video-enabled real-time computer vision technology, Automotus processes data in real time to come up with solutions for easing traffic and making curb operations more efficient, improving traffic flow while also increasing efficiency for commercial fleets.

 

Automotus technology also makes it possible for cities to automatically invoice companies for their curb usage, share parking availability with consumer and commercial drivers, and automate enforcement operations. Data collected and passed on to cities — including dwell time, emissions, and vehicle type — help planners better understand curb and street activity across all modes of mobility, helping them make informed policy decisions.

 

Automotus’s technology has proven to be particularly valuable since the beginning of the pandemic, when home-delivery and curbside pickup services have seen unprecedented growth. Increasing numbers of commuters made the shift from public transit to individual or private modes of transportation, leading to a rise in traffic volume. Though the vaccine rollout presents the possibility of city life returning to “normal” in the coming months, experts predict these shifts in mobility will be long-lasting, making the call for effective curb management strategy all the more urgent. As cities balance the needs of all streets’ stakeholders — delivery drivers and companies delivering essential goods, restaurants building outdoor dining, and pedestrians and cyclists — building a data feed to monitor traffic, emissions, space constraints, and enforcement operations will be necessary to maintaining order and addressing safety concerns.

 

Pilot programs conducted by Automotus have already proven to have measurable impact on traffic, parking and operator efficiency. In recent deployments in cities like Turin, Italy and Bellevue, Washington, Automotus video analytics facilitated detailed breakdowns of curb and street traffic. This data was used to designate pick-up and drop-off zones, to guide additional parking policy, and make planning decisions. By fully automating parking enforcement at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, Automotus increased enforcement efficiency and revenue by more than 500%. Implementing these measures led to a 24% increase in parking turnover and a 20% reduction in traffic.

 

This approach also saves commercial operators money, through increased efficiency and proactive payment for a reserved spot at the curb. In New York City, 20% to 30% of parking violations are committed by commercial operators, who rack up millions of dollars in fines each quarter. None of that is tax-deductible. Paying for parking, on the other hand, is. Moreover, Automotus presents a way for cities to regain income lost in the wake of COVID-19 through proactively monetizing curb space and enforcing parking violations, creating new revenue streams.

 

“The future of mobility and urban planning depend on healthy partnerships between public and private sector innovators,” said Jordan Justus, CEO of Automotus. “It has been promising to see Automotus immediately meeting multiple city needs – from bringing back revenue from parking to proactively finding win-win solutions for operators. Our technology holds great promise in finally dealing with congestion problems that have long plagued our streets.”

 

As cities and consumers change their habits, Automotus’s services are proving invaluable to cities who are scrambling to adapt to a changing urban landscape. “The pandemic has irreversibly transformed the delivery industry, creating a need for technology that reduces vehicle congestion, democratizes parking, and increases curb efficiency,” said Amy Coveny, Managing Partner at Quake Capital. “We’re proud to back a team that has found such a clear use case for their technology.”

www.automotus.co

City of Las Vegas Launches Smart Curbside Management Corridor with Cox

March 04, 2021

 

 

City of Las Vegas Launches
Smart Curbside Management Corridor with Cox

 

 

 

IoT Business Line of Cox Begins Pilot Traffic Management Solutions for a Safer Downtown

 

 

LAS VEGAS and ATLANTA, March 4, 2021 – Today, Cox Communications announced it has initiated a pilot partnership with the city of Las Vegas to trial its smart curbside management solution from Cox2M, aimed at reducing downtown traffic congestion.

The goal of the Las Vegas pilot is to reduce traffic congestion in downtown Las Vegas. Covering six parking spots along the sidewalk adjacent to the 100 block of Main Street are two digital kiosks that utilize video analytics and smart parking technology to better manage active curb loading zones for taxis and rideshares, making conditions safer for visitors and pedestrians.

“The city is working on a variety of smart and innovative public-private partnerships, just like this one,” said Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. “We appreciate Cox for their out-of-the-box thinking and assistance as we work together to ease traffic congestion in our downtown. It’s ideas like this one that will move our city into the future.”

“Our relationship with the communities of Southern Nevada runs deep and developing the pilot program with the city of Las Vegas has been a huge step forward in exploring what we can do with smart community technology,” said Derrick Hill, vice president, Cox Business Las Vegas. “We are absolutely committed to improving the way of life for Southern Nevadans, and we’re proud to be partnering with the city to utilize strategic technology to enhance the overall visitor experience.”

“Installing the curbside management kiosks demonstrates the innovation that Las Vegas is pursuing to create a smarter ecosystem for visitors and residents”, said Barak Weinisman, vice president, Cox2M and smart communities. “We look forward to working with the city to help ease traffic flow and showcase how kiosks can enable visitor engagement.”

Video analytics from devices along the curb will capture vehicle and license plate information and send utilization data to the kiosks to kick off a countdown timer. If a vehicle remains in the loading zone after the countdown ends, the system reports the incident directly to the city, ensuring a constant flow of traffic.

On the backend, the Cox platform provides cloud processing of traffic flow information, an on- screen interface to display vehicle information, and an online portal to report traffic flows and pedestrian counts.

Additionally, Cox Media explores the placement of advertisements on the kiosks and how that can provide local businesses with brand presence in vibrant downtown Las Vegas.

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“We are excited to be part of the technology that moves Las Vegas forward as a Smart City,” said Tonya Ruby, vice president, Cox Media Las Vegas. “Cox Media is all about finding solutions for local businesses and these kiosks are another way we can deliver relevant messages to residents and visitors.”

After weeks of successful testing, installation is completed. The six-month pilot began recently in early March, with the potential to resume upon successful operation. For more information on Cox2M, visit www.cox2m.com.

About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

About Cox Business:

The commercial division of Cox Communications, Cox Business provides voice, data and video services for more than 355,000 small and regional businesses nationwide, including health care providers; K−12 and higher education; financial institutions; and federal, state and local government organizations. The organization also serves most of the top-tier wireless and wireline telecommunications carriers in the U.S. through its wholesale division. For more information, please visit www.coxbusiness.com.

About Cox2M:

A new Cox Communications business line, Cox2M is committed to enabling truly connected environments by providing commercial Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to businesses and communities. Cox2M delivers the ability to monitor and track commercial assets, powering operational efficiencies and improved experiences for its customers. Cox2M’s end-to-end solutions seamlessly integrate connectivity, hardware, software and analytics to solve customer problems. Cox2M currently serves the automotive sector and is broadening its focus to other business sectors, cities, and communities. from cars to power business and operational decisions and provide massive return-on-investment.

About Cox Media:

Cox Media is the advertising sales division of Cox Communications, the third largest cable entertainment and broadband services provider in the country. With nearly 30 offices in 18 different states, Cox Media covers six million households across our footprint, connecting advertisers of all sizes to audiences across multiple screens. Anyone, anywhere, any screen is at the center of our core offerings, with a focus on innovative digital media and TV advertising solutions to match individual client needs.

Coord: Metro Nashville Launches Smart Zone Pilot To Better Manage Curb Space in Downtown

February 01, 2021

Metro Nashville Launches Smart Zone Pilot To Better Manage Curb Space in Downtown

 

 

In partnership with curb management platform, Coord, Metro Nashville is piloting an innovative Smart Zone program to streamline curbside loading, reduce congestion, and support local economic activity.

 

Nashville, TN, February 1, 2021 – Metro Nashville, in partnership with Coord, a leading curb management company, today launched its first-ever Smart Zone program to better manage the city’s curbs. This follows Nashville’s 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.

The demand for curb space for commercial on-demand delivery, e-commerce, and freight continues to grow in cities. Smart Zones, powered by Coord’s technology, enable commercial drivers to use their mobile devices they already use every day to locate, hold, book, and pay for time at nearby, available loading zones. As a result, Smart Zones promote the economic vitality of commercial areas by making it easier for businesses to receive supplies and fulfill customer requests for deliveries, improving the experience for people who visit the area. While offering a more streamlined experience for drivers, Smart Zones can improve mobility for everyone visiting the downtown neighborhood by managing safety and congestion challenges, such as double-parking and blocked pedestrian access.

Known for its vibrant music and entertainment industry, Nashville will use the Smart Zones to provide enhanced efficiency for commercial deliveries that serve businesses in the central business district that cater to locals and tourists alike. The pilot program is part of Metro Nashville’s Transportation Plan to provide a holistic multimodal system that better connects neighborhoods, residents, and businesses to places they need and want to go safely.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper said, “I’m pleased Nashville has been selected for a Coord pilot to demonstrate the benefits of digital curbside management as our downtown conditions make for a great fit for this program. It’s also a strong complement to the Metro Nashville Transportation Plan and our Vision Zero effort to significantly increase safety on our roads. Our musicians, performers and hospitality providers need to be able to load in and out safely. Downtown employees and residents must be able to travel smoothly and safely. This is another step in our effort to make transportation safer and easier in Nashville.”

“Public and private partners are currently working together to improve the city’s real and perceived mobility challenges, some of which relate to traffic into, around, or through downtown. With commercial deliveries being a necessary component of the neighborhood that generates 25 percent of Davidson County’s sales tax revenue, we’re optimistic that Smart Zones will make a positive, measurable impact on the downtown experience for businesses, employees, residents and visitors alike,” said Tom Turner, President and CEO of the Nashville Downtown Partnership.

Metro Nashville has deployed eight Smart Zones located in downtown Nashville:

  • 2nd Ave between Broadway and Commerce (NE side)

  • Church St between 4th Ave and Printer’s Alley (SE side)

  • Church St between 3rd Ave and Printer’s Alley (SE side)

  • Union St between 2nd Ave and 3rd Ave (S side)

  • Union St between 4th Ave and Printer’s Alley (S side)

  • Union St between Rep. John Lewis Way and Arcade Alley (S side)

  • Rep. John Lewis Way between Union and north of the Arcade (SW side)

  • Rep. John Lewis Way between Church and south of the Arcade (SW side)

Coord’s Smart Zones will also provide Metro Nashville with information that is essential in empowering the city to make data-driven operational changes. For example, program data can be used to understand when and where loading space is most needed and to 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.

“With restaurants, music and culture, there’s no place in America quite like Downtown Nashville. As the world is discovering what locals have long known, Metro Nashville is putting forth a variety of mobility initiatives to ensure its vibrant downtown is safe, pleasant and easy to access for residents, businesses, and visitors alike,” said Dawn Miller, Coord’s VP of Policy and Partnerships. “Smart Zones and curb management are an important piece of Nashville’s investment in its transportation future. They enable the downtown to optimize curbs to support increasing demand from a variety of users. We are delighted to launch this pilot program and look forward to sharing best practices developed in Nashville with other cities across North America.”

Coord launched their second annual Digital Curb Challenge last month. Applications can be submitted at coord.com/digital-curb-challenge and are open until February 15, 2021.

About Metro Nashville

Metro Nashville, with a population of over 692,000 includes one of the most visited downtowns in America spotlighting a vibrant business, travel and tourism and music industry. With more than 180 recording studios, and 5,000 working musicians, Nashville is clearly “Music City.” Music is the reason that many people come to Nashville, but its two major sports teams, extensive park system, and endless arts and cultural opportunities offer people plenty of reasons to stay; over 16 million out of town visitors came to Nashville in 2019.

About Nashville Downtown Partnership

The Nashville Downtown Partnership is a private sector nonprofit corporation whose core purpose is “to make Downtown Nashville the compelling urban center in the Southeast in which to LIVE, WORK, PLAY and INVEST.” Organized in 1994, the Partnership has transitioned into a downtown leadership organization that focuses on business recruitment and retention, residential and retail development, public space management, access and transportation, communications and marketing.

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.

Leading Curb Management Company, Coord, Launches Second Annual Digital Curb Challenge 

January 12, 2021

Leading Curb Management Company, Coord, Launches Second Annual Digital Curb Challenge

Up to three cities or other curb managers across North America will partner with Coord to undertake a free, curb space management pilot as they look to recover and rebuild from the pandemic

NEW YORK— January 12, 2021— Coord, the industry-leading curb management company, today announced the launch of its second annual Digital Curb Challenge: the Bounce Back Better Edition. Starting today, cities and other curb managers, such as universities, airports, private developments, health systems and conference centers, across North America can apply to partner with Coord to undertake a free curb space management pilot program to better manage loading in their cities. Applications can be submitted at coord.com/digital-curb-challenge and are open until February 15, 2021.

Following an unprecedented year, cities and businesses have shown their resilience and creativity, finding new mobility solutions to challenges brought on by the pandemic — from creating more space for delivery and pickup activity to creating new safe spaces for walking, biking, and outdoor recreation and commerce. This diversification of curbside activity comes as delivery activity skyrockets, creating a need to ensure goods loading can still occur safely and efficiently. The Digital Curb Challenge 2021 launches in this unique context, seeking to enable cities and other curb managers to enlist new strategies and technologies that not only help them to recover today, but that also provide a foundation for success for years to come.

With Smart Zones, Coord puts the city at the forefront of curb management programs and empowers them with the tools needed to provide delivery and service vehicle drivers with the information and incentives to load in locations where it is safe and permitted. Today, Smart Zones allow commercial drivers to use a mobile app to see real-time Smart Zone locations and availability. When they’re nearing their destinations, drivers can hold a Smart Zone, paying for space in-app when they arrive. This provides drivers with advanced curb intelligence they can use to navigate directly to available space, reducing illegal parking and circling. Smart Zones improve the coordination, safety and convenience of loading in cities while offering a more streamlined experience for drivers, reducing the incidence of safety and congestion hazards and parking citations.

“During this pandemic, cities have been facing one of their biggest challenges in recent history.  As response work continues, today cities are both assessing whether and how to make pandemic response programs permanent and looking for new, innovative mobility programs that can move the needle even when state and local revenues are projected to decline a combined $467 billion across 2020 to 2022,” said Dawn Miller Vice President of Policy & Partnerships at Coord. “Smart Zones to better coordinate commercial loading are very inexpensive to implement, but can improve safety and access for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers to local businesses. Because fleets pay to use Smart Zones, they actually generate new avenues for revenue along with mobility benefits. We have already seen successes in cities like Omaha, NE and Aspen, CO following our inaugural Digital Curb Challenge, and we look forward to partnering with new cities as they look to bounce back better.”

Cities or organizations selected for the Digital Curb Challenge will have free access to Coord’s full suite of curb management tools for the duration of the partnership and the opportunity to work closely with Coord experts to develop an effective, scalable pilot program to be deployed in 2021.

In the first Digital Curb Challenge, Coord partnered with Aspen, Nashville, Omaha and West Palm Beach to design and deploy Smart Zone programs to better manage commercial loading in their cities. More than thirty fleets, including a mix of local and regional businesses and national brands such as US Foods, FedEx, Frito Lay, Sysco and UNFI, are already using Smart Zones in these cities. This year, Coord is looking for cities to take Smart Zones to the next level by exploring one or several of these features:

 

  • Variable pricing to use different pricing for different times of day or different Smart Zones. This can help manage demand and improve availability for drivers, shifting more loading activity to times when it works well for the neighborhood (e.g., early mornings or overnight) or across more zones.

  • Exploring greater automation, booking drivers automatically into the best available Smart Zone near their destinations.

  • Deploying Smart Zones in public spaces beyond the curb, such as alleyways.

  • Exploring Smart Zones for recurring or predictable uses of public space, such as charter buses, intercity buses, or mobile vending.

  • Applying Smart Zones in a unique neighborhood, downtown or other commercial setting.

  • New ideas from cities to address unique and pressing local challenges

“We were very excited when Aspen was chosen to participate in Coord’s first Digital Curb Challenge in 2020. We went live in November of 2020, and I am even more excited now that we are in full swing with the pilot,” said Mitch Osur, Director of Parking and Downtown Service in the City of Aspen. “Working with Coord has been fantastic. Not only are they easy to work with, but the amount of knowledge we have learned from each other has far exceeded my expectations. The data we have collected has been enlightening. A few of the data points are what we expected, but a lot of data is different than what we anticipated. I can see Aspen making a variety of changes based on the data we’ve collected during this pilot, which will make our loading zones work more efficiently and provide a safer environment for Aspen. I look forward to what the future will look like in managing our curb space in Aspen.”

“Nashville partnered with Coord to pilot Smart Zones to increase compliance with loading regulations, improve traffic flow and safety, collect quality data, and ultimately capture the true cost of Metro-provided services and the value of public space,” said Derek Hagerty, Transportation Engineer at Metropolitan Nashville Public Works. “The Coord team has worked hand in hand with us every step of the way – from developing our fee ordinance to designing program details and doing outreach. Even in these challenging times, we’re ready to launch on schedule and can’t wait to see Smart Zones in Nashville.”

“At the City of Omaha’s Parking and Mobility Division we aim to provide a positive experience for downtown visitors by actively managing our curb space,” said Ken Smith, Parking and Mobility Manager at the City of Omaha. “The Digital Curb Challenge was a great framework for developing best practices in collaboration with the other pilot cities and Coord. We are proud to have been the first Smart Zone city and have extended our partnership so we can continue gaining new insights and collecting data to inform our work.”

“West Palm Beach is committed to using data and technology to make our streets safer and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors in our city,” said Uyen Dang, City of West Palm Beach City Traffic Engineer. “Deploying Smart Zones is the key step to ensure flexible curb usage while promoting the City’s mobility goals. The Coord team went above and beyond, working closely with my team and Related Companies to bring a thoughtful, innovative new program to our community.”

For more information on the Digital Curb Challenge, including the simple application form, please visit https://www.coord.com/digital-curb-challenge or contact Coord at challenge@coord.com.

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, Somerville, 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.

APPYWAY SET TO TRANSFORM JOURNEYS FOR UK DRIVERS WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEW PARKING API

May 26, 2020

 

 

 

APPYWAY SET TO TRANSFORM JOURNEYS FOR UK DRIVERS WITH THE LAUNCH OF NEW PARKING API

 

 

 

  • Launch of Parking API will enable developers and UK fleets to slash the wasted miles spent looking for parking, saving them time and money.

  • Congestion cost the UK economy close to £7 billion in 2019 – enabling OEM’s, fleets, and drivers to drive straight to the parking spot they need can actively reduce congestion and emissions.

  • Harnessing the power of standardised and interoperable parking data is recognised as a key enabler of the UK government’s Future of Mobility: Urban Strategy.

  • With over 450 UK towns and cities included, AppyWay’s Parking API provides access to the largest, standardised dataset for on-street parking in the UK.

 

 

 

 

LONDON, UK – Tuesday 26th May 2020, AppyWay, the pioneering kerbside management and smart parking firm has today announced the launch of their new Parking API, set to transform how drivers and fleets find parking across the UK. The launch of the API follows an upgrade to the company’s data-driven platform and the successful mapping of parking restrictions for over 450 UK towns and cities, contributing to the creation of the UK’s largest, standardised kerbside restriction dataset.

 

AppyWay have created their new Parking API to simplify what is often the complicated last part of a driver’s journey. Time spent looking for parking presents a perennial problem for local authorities, as it continues to be a significant contributor to congestion and emissions in cities. Last year, UK drivers spent on average 149 hours stuck in congestion, costing the economy almost £7 billion, in addition to the negative impact on air quality. Parking costs people, businesses, cities and our economy, and according to AppyWay’s CEO and Founder, Dan Hubert,

 

“The underlying problem is parking information, or as we like to call it, kerbside intelligence. It is difficult for drivers, job schedulers and fleet operators to get easy access to the parking information they need, when they need it. Take for example a carpenter working for a facilities management company. They’re scheduled to work at a site and normally waste time and fuel driving around the location looking for a spot. They need to know if it’s free or legal to park, how much it might cost and more importantly, what is the maximum stay permitted because their job could take more than 2 hours. Our Parking API has been specially designed to be able to expose this level of insight, giving drivers something like a ‘parking sixth-sense’, helping them drive straight to the right space that suits their needs, quickly and safely.”

 

The award-winning company suggests the Parking API can be leveraged directly by businesses to deliver benefits for their own operations but also by software developers, who are solving problems for their customers and looking to add value across their product offerings. With high-definition coverage, AppyWay uses world-leading processes to aggregate, collect and refresh kerbside data, combining with it an advanced cost calculator engine so that developers can build tailored solutions to meet a wide variety of use cases.

 

Businesses that operate fleets incur significant operational costs and a myriad of fleet management solutions are available that address a range of cost lines. AppyWay sees the potential for the Parking API to be leveraged directly by such companies, or by their software partners, to increase route efficiency, reduce parking costs and minimise fines.

 

AppyWay’s Chief Product Officer, Stephen Jones explains:

 

“Our API can be exploited at different stages of the planning or driving journey. For example, schedulers can benefit from an integration into their job management software to solve the parking challenge before drivers embark on journeys to job locations. Or you could look at it from the side of automotive, with OEMs or Tier Ones for example. Our kerbside insights can be integrated directly into the in-car experience, with parking options presented on maps, enabling a dynamic, real-time solution for drivers. Ultimately, product teams want to be able to delight their customers/users. We’ve built our Parking API so they’ll be able to do just that.”

 

AppyWay’s Parking API is available for developers to build against, with a limited free trial available following a demonstration. Further details can be found at https://bit.ly/ParkingAPI.

 

Dan Hubert, “It’s an exciting time to be able to launch our re-tooled Parking API and enable developers to build positive solutions, particularly during such uncertain times. We see day by day the need for our cities and citizens to be able to adapt to the current circumstances. An increase in personal car use for work is likely in the short-term, but towns and cities can’t really afford to see a huge spike in congestion. We’re ready to help businesses create innovative solutions with our API, so we can all enjoy more accessible, less congested and safer places to live and work.”

 

For images and brand assets please visit https://appyway.com/press

 

AppyWay

AppyWay exists to help cities thrive from the kerb up. We see the kerb as a catalyst – the key to powering progress with the most pressing urban mobility challenges.

Our platform of data, APIs and tools provide digital kerbside management solutions that enable intelligent mobility, better connecting cities with people and businesses.

Through close collaboration and industry leading partnerships, the AppyWay platform effectively acts as a ‘future mobility’ conduit between the public and private sector:

Learn more about our new Parking API here https://bit.ly/ParkingAPI.

APPYWAY WELCOMES SEASONED DIGITAL INNOVATION LEADER AS NEW CHAIRMAN

May 19, 2020

 

 

 

 

APPYWAY WELCOMES SEASONED DIGITAL INNOVATION LEADER AS NEW CHAIRMAN

 

 

London, UK – Tuesday 19th May 2020, AppyWay, Europe’s most awarded intelligent kerbside and smart parking pioneer, has welcomed ex Cisco UK & Ireland CEO Phil Smith CBE to its board to serve as Non-Executive Chairman.

 

 

Phil is currently Chairman of publicly listed IQE PLC and Chairman and Non-Executive Director at the Digital Skills Partnership. His previous experience, notably as former Chair of InnovateUK and The Tech Partnership, positions Smith as the ideal fit to lead AppyWay’s board and help accelerate the company’s sustainable mobility vision within the analogue kerbside and parking management industry.

 

Dan Hubert, Founder & CEO of AppyWay, “Phil has an impressive and illustrious background and I’m thrilled to add his expertise and experience to our board. His enthusiasm for our vision combined with his impressive understanding of the market have already proved highly valuable to the company in several ways. I’m looking forward to working more closely with Phil as we look to supercharge our next phase of growth.”

Phil has received many accolades including Orange Business Leader of the Year, member of the Wired 100 and listed in the 50 Kindest Leaders in 2018. Phil was awarded a CBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to technology, business, and skills.

Phil Smith added; “I am delighted to be joining Dan and the AppyWay team. The opportunity to revolutionise the way we understand, use and optimise our transport infrastructure around the world is exciting. AppyWay have already demonstrated their clear understanding of the key issues, challenges and opportunities with leading technologies and deep client engagement. I am looking forward to helping a talented and ambitious team do great things and to make a real difference to the world.”

 

Phil Smith’s appointment follows recent AppyWay board additions; Amazon veteran Ron Kornfeld, and John Fogelin, AppyWay’s resident CTO and Chief Security Officer.

 

 

AppyWay

AppyWay exists to help cities thrive from the kerb up. We see the kerb as a catalyst – the key to powering progress with the most pressing urban mobility challenges.

Our platform of data, APIs and tools provide digital kerbside management solutions that enable intelligent mobility, better connecting cities with people and businesses.

Through close collaboration and industry leading partnerships, the AppyWay platform effectively acts as a ‘future mobility’ conduit between the public and private sector:

Kerbside Management | B2G

AppyKerb, our Govtech stack, is a complete kerbside management platform. With AppyKerb, Local Authorities are empowered to commoditise and open up their assets. This enables rich data-driven insights and digital access solutions for everyone using our kerbs.

Learn more >

 

Intelligent Mobility | B2B

AppyWay business solutions keep people, goods and cities flowing. A full eco-system of kerbside data APIs, payment solutions and CAV integrations improves kerb interactions for local enterprises, customers, deliveries, and fleets alike.

Learn more >

 

CurbTrac Assembles Industry Leaders to Innovate on COVID-19 Response with Clean Driver Program

May 11, 2020

 

 

CurbTrac Assembles Industry Leaders to Innovate on COVID-19 Response with

Clean Driver Program

 

 

Pilot Grubhub Program Held in Philadelphia

 

 

 

 

Philadelphia, PA  – In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CurbTrac, a technology innovator in the parking and mobility industries, has launched the Clean Driver Program in partnership with ParkMobile, ParkOps, and Ballparc. The Clean Driver Program provides turn-key solutions for Transportation Network Companies (TNC), taxi companies, food delivery service providers, and corporate fleets to keep drivers and customers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic through PPE distribution sites and automotive sanitation services.  The Clean Driver Program is made possible through the combined efforts and teamwork of numerous parking and mobility technology partners.  Commenting on the launch of the program, CurbTrac CEO Charley DeBow said, “By combining the technology platforms of industry leaders like Park Mobile and Ballparc, alongside the staffing network of Park Ops and the logistics expertise of CurbTrac, The Clean Driver Program provides  clients with a cost-effective solution to quickly and efficiently distribute PPE kits directly into the hands of their drivers as well as provide a sanitation service for fleet operators.”

 

“ParkMobile is proud to be a part of this initiative to keep people safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19,” says Jon Ziglar, CEO of ParkMobile. “Drivers can easily use the ParkMobile app to reserve an appointment at the distribution site where they can pick up their PPE kits or have their cars sanitized.”

 

 

Another technology component of the Clean Driver Program is Ballparc, who will utilize their scanning validation functionality to track driver reservations that are redeemed within their reservation window. Ballparc’s CEO, Taylor Chapman said, “Ballparc is honored to be a part of this program and with partners that are willing to step up and think outside the box when called upon during these unprecedented times. This program is a great example of how vital innovation will continue to be in our rapidly changing industry.”

 

During the initial pilot for the Clean Driver Program in Philadelphia held this past week, CurbTrac distributed personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to food delivery drivers, courtesy of Grubhub.  The initial pilot program was also supported by the Philadelphia Parking Authority who provided the space for the distribution site. “Ensuring the safety of our community during these times is incredibly important, especially as delivery is one of the only ways restaurants are able to stay open right now,” stated Eric Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Logistics at Grubhub. “While we’ve already extended an easy way for our driver network to access PPE, our partnership with CurbTrac’s Clean Driver Program further extends our efforts and gives drivers in Philadelphia a quick and easy way to pick up the supplies they need – and at no cost to them.”

 

International Parking & Mobility Institute CEO, Shawn Conrad, also weighed in, stating, “IPMI firmly believes in addressing mobility at all points of a journey – from the first mile to the last, and addressing all aspects along the way. Customer safety and the patron experience remains the first and most important priority. We are proud of all of our members who are innovating, pivoting, and changing the way we handle disruptions to public and private transportation and operations in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The Clean Driver Program by CurbTrac represents the best of our industry – applying creativity, spurring innovation, and bringing communities together. This program, and others like it by IPMI members, serve to achieve big picture goals: protecting public health during the crisis; creating new employment opportunities for those in our industry and beyond; allowing us all to travel more freely and carefully as we reopen cities, campuses, and destinations; and helping our economy recover by getting us all moving again.”

 

For more information on the Clean Driver Program, visit www.cleandriverprogram.com.

 

 

About CurbTrac

Founded by leaders in the mobility payment vertical, CurbTrac is a Philadelphia-based technology company creating innovative solutions for the parking and mobility industries.  The company’s leading product, a centralized parking payment database, provides municipalities, universities, and private parking operators with a fully integrated, multi-app payment system.  The Clean Driver Program is CurbTrac’s latest product and leverages its flexible software, and vast network of partnerships across the US, to quickly scale customized solutions to providing COVID-19 safety measures for Transportation Network Companies (TNC).  The Clean Driver Program launched in Philadelphia to support GrubHub drivers in partnership with the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

 

About Grubhub

Grubhub (NYSE: GRUB) is a leading online and mobile food-ordering and delivery marketplace with the largest and most comprehensive network of restaurant partners, as well as more than 22 million active diners. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features over 350,000 restaurants and is proud to partner with more than 165,000 of these restaurants in over 3,200 U.S. cities and London. The Grubhub portfolio of brands includes Grubhub, Seamless, LevelUp, AllMenus and MenuPages.

 

CurbTrac:

Lisa DeBow, Principal, Cloudburst Advisory Group

(202) 262-4261

media@curbtrac.com

 

Grubhub:

Natalie Gerke, Senior Manager, Communications

(850) 554-5416

ngerke@grubhub.com

Walker Consultants – Curbing the Impact: Curb Management Strategies for Maintaining the Health and Safety of Your Community During Challenging Times

April 30, 2020

 

 

 

Walker Consultants – Curbing the Impact: Curb Management Strategies for Maintaining the Health and Safety of Your Community During Challenging Times

 

 

A temporary curbside pickup zone in St. Paul, Minnesota.

 

COVID-19 has forced cities across the nation to quickly respond to the changing needs of the curb. Most communities have ordered the closure of non-essential businesses and anywhere people may gather: gyms, theaters, and restaurant dining rooms. Despite these closures, restaurants are offering takeout and delivery orders, increasing the immediate need for more curbside pickup space and short-term parking. This has required cities to quickly reconsider how their curbs are managed to address these changing needs.

Many cities are evaluating how parking and management of curb space can continue to support businesses while attempting to reduce the health and safety risks to community members. These efforts have centered around converting prime curb spaces to pickup zones or short-term parking and relaxing enforcement. Based on the needs of most cities during this time, some strategies to consider include:

 

Curb Management Strategies

  • Designate spaces for short-term parking and pickupin the closest, most convenient on-street spaces, especially near restaurants.
  • Reduce physical contact with meters/equipment by temporarily suspending payment/time-limits or switch payment exclusively to mobile payment.
  • Implement a “parking ambassador”model of enforcement where officers use signage instead of direct contact to educate and guide people to properly use short-term spaces and loading zones and relax or eliminate citations.
  • Temporarily cease citations of on-street residential parking restrictionsto make it easier for residents to stay home and relaxing enforcement near pharmacies and grocery stores.
  • Close parking lotsat parks and beaches to limit crowds.
  • Adequately clean dockless and docked bike and scooter share equipment and instruct riders to use gloves.
  • Integrate curbside pickup locations on city websites and mobile parking apps.

 

How are Cities Responding?

San Francisco Bay Area – Multiple cities (Oakland, San Jose, San Francisco) have temporarily suspended parking enforcement including metered and time-restricted parking. Tickets will still be issued for any parking violations that may impact safety: parking in red zones, in front of fire hydrants, etc. Some Bay Area communities are also considering forgoing street sweeping parking violations.

“SFMTA has made a number of changes related to parking enforcement to aid our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes temporarily suspending enforcement of some regulations, such as 72-hour parking limits, other time limit parking and peak-hour towaway zones. These actions will make it easier for San Francisco residents to shelter in place and maintain social distancing.”
– Ted Graff, Director of Parking, San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency

Rockville, Maryland – Temporarily designated 40 on-street spaces in their Town Square district as 15-minute curbside pickup spots.

Seattle, Washington – Converted spaces in front of restaurants into temporary three-minute loading zones to allow people to quickly pull in and out for curbside food pickup.

Tempe, Arizona – Offering 30 minutes of free parking at 600 metered spaces.

Lexington, Kentucky – Converted several paid parking spaces into “curbside pickup only,” offering two hours of free parking at meters, and switched enforcement to time limits instead of payment.

Pasadena, California – Suspended enforcement of overnight parking bans and time limits in residential neighborhoods, as well as enforcement of street sweeping restrictions. Offering free curbside pickup parking and 20-minute free parking at metered spaces.

“The change in converting metered spaces to 20-minute spaces was made with the goal of maintaining on-street access to restaurants for meal pick-up by patrons and delivery services. Our enforcement changes were made to help our residents with the economic impacts of the pandemic.”
— Jon Hamblen, Parking Manager, City of Pasadena 

The State of California – Closed parking lots at many state parks and beaches to limit crowds. California encouraged people to walk, run, hike, and bike in their local neighborhoods and to maintain a safe distance from each other.

Get in Touch

Want to talk to a Walker Consultants expert about managing your curb? Contact Chrissy Mancini Nichols, Walker’s curb management lead at cmancini@walkerconsultants.com

 

Curb Management Strategies During COVID-19

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