Chris Hylton
Canadian Parking Association
Earlier this year we sent out a survey to members of the Canadian Parking Association. The survey asked a variety of questions about issues to identify the emerging trends and help the industry respond.
Regarding data, we asked about how organizations were using data, real-time and projected, to drive parking policy and design. We also asked about the relationship between data and funding expansion projects.
Regarding technology, we asked about how organizations were implementing new technology and the success rate. This included things like parking and payment apps as well as charging stations.
Regarding customer experience, we asked about how technology and online relationships via social media channels have helped to improve the overall customer experience.
Data Use Trends
93% of respondents reported that they were seeing an increased use of data to drive their service and design. Just a few of the data points that organizations are tracking include: number of vehicles, fees, payment methods, type of vehicle (i.e.: gas, hybrid, electric), turnover, event usage, parking via permit, versus daily, or hourly paid.
Digital Technology Continues to Drive the Industry
Common technological trends mentioned by survey participants included the emergence and adoption of parking apps, mobile payment options, and the provision of charging stations for electric vehicles.
Over time parking apps have simply exploded. A few years ago, Calgary’s ParkPlus system which permitted payment by phone, was revolutionary. Now apps cover every conceivable aspect of our industry. From the customer perspective there are apps involved in guidance, payment, all in one, and even handsfree no touch apps.
As automakers rush to meet customer demands to turn vehicles into four wheeled smart phones, parking apps are hitting vehicle screens with increasingly sophisticated parking support.
Ford Motor Co. has developed FordPass, a vehicle system that can, among others, find and pay for parking. BMW has developed Parkmobile, featured on BMW’s central display screen. This app populates the vehicle’s GPS map with a growing number of Parkmobile-enabled locations. With over 1,000,000 spots and +3000 locations across North America, Parkmobile claims to “have you covered”. Drivers choose the amount of time they need, make payments through the car’s screen, and once parked, drivers may extend their time using the app.
Another app that is emerging into the marketplace is ZipBy. This app allows users the freedom to enter and exit ZipBy enabled facilities without even having to open the app or enter any information to start a parking transaction. Truly an autonomous parking solution for the modern era.
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The Sharing Economy is also having an impact. You can share transportation, a room in a house, tools for a project, and now, yes a parking spot. HonkMobile’s HONK, ParkChamp and others permit owners to rent their private driveways and parking spaces, just like Airbnb or VRBO.
HONK’s goal is to connect anyone who owns a spot – from a single stall in a condo to a lot with a few thousands spots – with drivers: “If you think about parking, you have an industry that was stuck in the 1950s … it was pretty much the only thing you couldn’t find on the Internet.” Michael Back, Founder & CEO, HonkMobile. The pitch to this latest form of parking operator from ParkChamp is compelling. “You earn money every time someone parks in your parking space. You never need to meet or exchange money with the driver!”
In terms of the long term impact on services like this on parking, it is difficult to calculate. A recent article in Forbes Magazine cited researchers found that Airbnb’s growth through 2014 reduced hotel variable profits by up to 3.7 percent in the 10 US cities with the largest Airbnb presence. Will renting out one’s parking spot have the same impact? Time will tell.
30 juillet 2018 à 20 h 57
* Commentaire apolitique, mais utile selon moi !
Si vous allez sur le site de cet organisme vous y constaterez qu’il se présente à la fois sous une dénomination sociale anglaise … ET FRANÇAISE.
Pour s’assurer d’une diffusion efficace et conforme à ce qui précède, j’aurais apprécié ce texte également dans l’autre langue officielle du Canada, d’autant plus que ce n’est pas tout le monde qui a le temps, le goût ou la juste maitrise de la langue de « Shake and Spear » !
P.S. Ah oui, au cas où, je ne suis pas un dangereux « séparatisse » !
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2 août 2018 à 19 h 50
Bien d’accord avec le propos.
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