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Projects that require multi-software solutions present unique challenges when communicating between each software. Having someone on a project team familiar with systems integration, or better yet a central software that can serve as the systems integrator, is a key component to success. To date, CurbIQ’s typical role has been as a curbside management software for cities but has also been building out the ability to ingest various supply and demand data sources as well as its associated API feeds. This has helped CurbIQ fit into a role of a systems integration software. One such deployment where this is happening is in Arlington County, Virginia.
Arlington County wanted to update their paid parking infrastructure by using a performance parking system to help set rates that better value metered curbside space. The CurbIQ team partnered with eleven-x and ParkHub in 2022 to launch a three-year sensor-based parking performance system within Arlington County’s commercial areas.
eleven-x is providing its remote sensor technology for approximately 4,500 metered curbside parking spaces within Arlington County, while the CurbIQ team is deploying curbside management software. Using CurbIQ allows County administrators to dynamically review, analyze, and approve parking rate changes in real time, as well as deliver real-time parking availability and rate information to public users through a mobile-friendly and desktop platform. CurbIQ also serves as the role of the systems integrator, being the central location to view payment, occupancy, rate change, and inventory data.
The project is organized into several phases: these have been outlined below to help illustrate how CurbIQ can be used as the central system in parking and curbside management projects.
Taking the time to properly plan and structure a software system is essential to its success. This is not just how each software component works independently, but how they will all communicate with each other. This is especially important for parking and curbside solutions as they often involve numerous components and data feeds from physical infrastructure, private companies, and different city departments. To better handle all these sources, a “systems integrator” at the center of a solution where data and connections flow through is invaluable. CurbIQ has been designed to serve that role, an example of this can be seen below.
A high-level system architecture for a Performance Parking System like Arlington County’s:
This setup is specific to a parking performance system, but additional elements can be brought in depending on the project, from enforcement data and software to connecting with mobility companies like UPS or Uber.
A major element of system design worth emphasizing is data standardization. It not only makes sharing data and information easier for a one-off project, but also makes scaling up solutions or adding in additional software and components in the future much easier. CurbIQ uses the Curb Data Specification (CDS) for all their curb data regardless of if it is created by CurbIQ or passed on from other company. This way, CurbIQ can easily compare different demand sources and provide a standardized way to share this information with third parties.
The next phase for the CurbIQ team was to configure the real time parking map using CurbIQ’s Public Facing Curb Viewer. This map used Arlington County’s data for parking space locations and ingests occupancy data directly from sensors to show real time information to the public. This map will be embedded directly into the County’s website and app for ease of access. Once all sensors are installed, parking availability information will be viewable for the 4,500 metered parking spaces in the County. This map is fully customizable and can include any relevant information from parking restrictions to surrounding mobility options.
The future work of deploying the parking performance system and implementing price changes will happen over the next few months. Stay tuned for more…
