How Artificial Intelligence will transform parking

Traffic + Parking 2024: Expert panel assembles for Parking AI session

Heard about AI? Want to know what’s behind the buzzword? What does AI mean for the world of parking?

Traffic + Parking featured a session focussed on the rapidly evolving area of artificial intelligence (AI). The discussion got behind what has become something of a buzzword.

Parking AI kicked off with a comprehensive introduction to artificial intelligence, with an expert panel demystifying the concepts and technologies that drive this transformative field.

Attendees discussed the specific ways AI can revolutionise the parking industry. This collaborative segment encouraged participants to share ideas, ask questions and explore innovative solutions that AI can offer for smart parking.

Landor LINKS’ programme partner Trellint UK shared key insights from a survey sent out to Traffic + Parking attendees.

Benefits of AI

The survey revealed that people felt the benefits of AI included automating repetitive task; improving business operations and productivity, and advancing scientific research. The potential benefits of applying AI in the transport realm included:

• Smart transport systems
• Autonomous vehicles Traffic management and congestion
• Public transportation optimisation for schedules and routes
• Ride-sharing services
• Real-time availability services.

Concerns about AI

Delegates flagged a number of concerns about AI, including:

• Data security risks
• Job displacement or automation of jobs
• Privacy
• AI systems making biased or unfair decisions
• Lack of transparency
• Loss of human control over AI.

How AI working is the parking sector

Parking space detection: AI can use cameras and sensors to identify available parking spaces in real-time. AI can also predict if a parking space will be available when a driver arrives by considering factors like seasonality and traffic volume.

Car park management: AI can help parking managers monitor parking duration and identify illegally parked vehicles. For example, AI can monitor for spaces that are empty for long periods or have excessive parking durations.

Road safety: AI can analyse data from traffic patterns, vehicle behaviour, and driver habits to predict and prevent potential hazards.
Customer service: AI-powered conversational tools, or "bots", can provide fast and efficient customer service.

Number plate recognition: AI can identify vehicles based on their number plates, and may also consider the vehicle's make, model and colour.

The panel

The discussion was led by Dan Casey, capture manager at Trellint. The panellists were:

• Francesca Cesare Pintorno, knowledge transfer manager, Digital Transport, Innovate UK
• Gonzalo Martinez Santos, product analyst, CurbIQ
• Chris Newman, head of UK operations, Trellint
• Richard Walker, head of parking, North Essex Parking Partnership, and president, British Parking Association.

If you want to discover more attend TransportAI, an annual Landor LINKS event in Manchester on 5 February 2025.

www.transportai.uk

TRAFFIC + PARKING 2024

The annual Traffic + Parking conference provides a space in which local authorities, their private sector partners, campaigners and consultants can explore topical issues relating to the planning, provision and regulation of parking, the kerbside and the urban street scene.

Traffic + Parking 2024 was packed with presentations, debates and an exhibition showcasing the latest innovations and services. The event was programmed by Parking Review and delivered by Landor LINKS in Manchester on 30 October.

The morning featured a major debate on the Future of Parking Policy, an in-depth look at delivering Better Streets and a panel sharing ideas on Beating the Parking Scammers.

The afternoon was made up of two special events. After lunch there was a ground-breaking exploration of artificial intelligence in the Parking AI session and the day concluded with a new interactive game called ‘Parking for All’.
www.traffic-parking.uk