Technology and data The Goldilocks effect Dean Fennell-Connell, UK sales director at Conduent Transportation, looks at how we can use data analytics to drive operational efficiencies cross the UK, on-street parking is in high demand. Local authorities are grappling with providing effective parking enforcement policies, while addressing environmental congestion and improving road safety. There is a real incentive to transform parking services to provide greater efficiencies and to help address wider issues, such as clean air zones, and shape future policy decisions. To do this, its time to stop dusting off the old specifications and hoping that solutions of the past remain relevant in the future. Unless parking is reimagined with an end-to-end approach, A Once upon a time Having enough boots on the ground doesnt eliminate the guesswork that goes into creating compliance management zones. Ensuring beats are neither too large nor too small, but just the right size to be effective, is the Goldilocks test of parking management. Traditionally, to develop effective beat plans, educated assumptions are made based on restrictions in place, perceived parking habits, local amenities, and population distribution. Unfortunately, regardless of how much experience is behind the guesswork, it is still just guesswork and the inefficiencies of simply increasing the volume of enforcement staff are being exposed by a more intelligent, data-driven, approach to parking and kerbside management. Whos been parking in my space? By employing analytical tools and using both real-time and historical data to advance their compliance-management operations, local authorities are able to maximise the effectiveness of operational deployment. Data and algorithms are being used to produce more effective and efficient beat maps based on local authority preferences for productivity, time to enforce, distance, return on investment, or a mix. This approach uses data visualisation tools to enable parking teams to make informed decisions on their operations and enables a more collaborative and transparent service between authorities and service providers. While the aims remain the same, the old rules no longer apply. At least they shouldnt there is a danger that the solutions delivered in five years time may be exactly what was asked for, but completely outdated and inefficient. Boots on the ground is still the measure of parking policy. The more people patrolling the streets, the more you encourage compliance and the better you can ensure the smooth flow of traffic all to benefit economic activity, cleaner air, and societal wellbeing. While the aims remain the same, the old rules no longer apply. At least they shouldnt. 36 PN June 2022 pp36-37 Conduent Feature.indd 36 24/05/2022 11:46