Intelligent Parking Solutions
5G CONNECTIVITY FOR SMART PARKING APPLICATIONS
The Challenge
Securely and Reliably Connecting IoT Devices for Smart Parking Environments
Additionally, drivers searching for available parking spaces are more likely to get into a collision. About one in every five traffic accidents occurs in or around a parking lot. Often, it's a result of distracted driving and congested lots. Drivers will pay closer attention to the side of the road or the parking lot, rather than what's in front of them or behind them—all because they're trying to see whether a space is available. When this happens, drivers risk getting into fender benders or injuring pedestrians. These accidents significantly delay traffic flow, since moving the damaged vehicle off the road takes time.
Improving parking and traffic patterns is a significant concern for those in charge of our roadways - and utilizing smart technologies is the leading way to do this. However, when planning and budgeting for parking areas, developers find that entrenching fiber optic cables is more costly than necessary. As more and more devices go wireless, it becomes less necessary to run dozens to hundreds of hardline connections. IT managers need solutions to remotely connect with and to wireless video cameras, wireless POS systems, automated lift gate controls, embedded parking sensors, and more to build the most efficient systems for managing intelligent parking structures. They need the most reliable and cost-effective connectivity solutions to achieve these goals.
The Solution
Cradlepoint Routers and Poynting Antennas for Intelligent Parking
Cradlepoint 5G routers and powerful Poynting antennas expertly configured and installed by USAT allow IT teams to effectively and remotely manage parking structures from behind a single pane of glass. They gain the ability to easily connect with wireless smart parking sensors that count vehicles and detect open parking spaces to quickly direct visitors to the nearest available spots while also letting them know if the lot is full before they even pull in. They can also reliably connect with wireless video recording devices like those from Avigilon and monitor and control point of sale systems as well as automated lift gates.
The Cradlepoint R1900 router includes an embedded 5G modem that can automatically switch to Cat 20 LTE if 5G coverage is, or becomes, unavailable. In addition, the R1900 is designed to accept the RX30 managed accessories which provide either four additional PoE ports or four additional GbE ports and a second modular modem. It also has the ability to act as a controller for a separate Cradlepoint 5G Wideband Adapter. These two capabilities, along with the continually improved NetCloud platform, ensure the ability for future expansion and the best investment protection available.
The radiation patterns of the Poynting XPOL-1-5G are omni-directional and exceptionally well controlled, further adding to the performance of the antenna. This makes the antenna perfect for most application areas, such as urban and commercial to achieve the best possible coverage over a large area. The robust mechanical enclosure design makes the antenna weather, dust and vandal resistant and gives it an IP65 rating, suitable for harsh environments.
The Poynting WLAN-61 is a dual-band Wi-Fi MIMO antenna, developed by Poynting Antennas, that can connect to any Wi-Fi access point whether it is older Wi-Fi technology or new dual-band Wi-Fi technology. Multiple dual-band antennas can resolve channel saturation and provide the ultimate in Wi-Fi performance and flexibility. This 4×4 MIMO antenna has 4 different antenna orientations in one enclosure. This means the antenna can be used in a 2×2, 3×3, and if necessary, a 4×4 antenna configuration.
The Results
Increased Operational Transparency and Security
Eliminates Distractions
Implementing smart parking technology in cities can reduce traffic congestion by lowering the risk of distracted driving. While different cities use this technology in different ways, many currently leverage it to make empty parking spaces more apparent to drivers. Some parking garages and heavily traveled roads now have lights or other indicators installed above parking spaces to signal to drivers whether a space is available. Sensors in the lights can detect whether a car is currently in the space, turning green if the space is empty and red if the space is occupied. These lighted spaces can be seen from blocks away, which reduces driver distraction.
Rather than scanning the side of the road for empty spaces, many of which aren't clearly marked, the driver can look straight ahead and see available "green-lighted" parking. This also allows them to plan their parking maneuver well in advance, warning the driver behind them that they are going to pull into the space.
Reduces Driving Time
Smart parking technology increases parking safety, but its most significant impact on traffic congestion comes from making parking much faster. If city planners install sensor lights on every space, this gets drivers off the road more quickly because they can see whether a street or lot has parking available blocks in advance. In parking garages, you can even list the spaces available at the entrance before drivers pull into the garage. This information receives constant updates from the sensors, ensuring drivers always have the latest information. For instance, if a driver sees that there are no available parking spaces on a particular road and that the closest parking garage is full, rather than traveling along on the same road for blocks and blocks, they can turn onto a parallel street that does have parking available. This saves time on the driver's commute.
Smart parking technology can go even further than sensors and lighted spaces. Using the latest Internet of Things (IoT) advances, we can sync these sensors to a cloud platform that feeds the information into mobile apps or online parking websites. Theoretically, a driver could have a GPS app on their phone providing audio directions to the next available parking space or garage. The driver can keep their eyes on the road and spend far less time driving around looking for spaces.
Better Space Management
About USAT
Device Provisioning, Activation and Installation Services
USAT specializes in designing and deploying fixed and mobile wireless data connectivity solutions for organizations of all sizes — complete with implementation, training, proof of concept (POC), system auditing, and on-site RF surveying services with optional engineering maintenance contracts. Our team not only helps you select, provision, and activate devices, we make sure they work in practical applications and real-life situations.
For over 25 years, USAT has provided fixed and mobile communications solutions for public and private enterprises in various IoT and M2M applications across the USA. With our extensive catalog of world-class routers, gateways, and software designed for remote monitoring and management in even the harshest environments — you can count on us to get and keep you connected.
Better connectivity translates to less manual equipment maintenance, reduced downtime, and an overall increase in your business's ROI. Contact the experts at USAT to learn how our wireless networking solutions can help meet your organization's exacting needs.
The Download
Save Solution for Later or Share It With Colleagues
If you'd like to reflect back on this solution or share it with colleagues, we've included a simple download of this article in a PDF format. Just click below to view it as a PDF and then click save.
Contact Us
Reach out the team at USAT to Engineer Your 5G Connectivity Solution Today
Click an image below to give us a call, send us an email, fill out a contact form, or make a purchase directly on our website.
Send an Email
Fill Out a Form
Shop Online
Recommended Devices for Intelligent Parking Applications
Click an Image Below to Start Shopping Online
Cradlepoint R1900
Poynting XPOL-1-5G
Poynting WLAN-61
Additional Reading
Check Out Other Recent Articles, Use Cases, and Case Studies
Cellular Failover Solutions
Retail outlets like department stores depend upon continuous internet access to successfully operate their businesses. Corporations can value the revenue lost due to internet outages down to the...
5G Banking Communications
The cellular networks financial institutions use to transmit their secure client data are ever evolving. Because of this, the hardware enabling connections to those networks must evolve as well.
Share this Post
