Public Parking Sensor
public parking sensor – magnetic + nano‑radar detection, LoRaWAN & NB‑IoT connectivity
A public parking sensor is the primary field device in any on‑street or public carpark smart‑parking deployment: it detects whether a parking bay is occupied and delivers that event to a networked backend so drivers, enforcement and city planners can act on real‑time occupancy data. Modern public parking sensor nodes combine low‑power detection (geomagnetic / magnetometer), microwave nano‑radar and advanced filtering to keep false positives low while maximising battery life. Fleximodo devices use a 3‑axis magnetometer plus a nano‑radar detector and have been validated through large field testing to support high detection accuracy.
Key operational benefits for cities and operators:
- Real‑time kerbspace availability for drivers and wayfinding systems Parking guidance system.
- Automated enforcement triggers and permit validation that reduce manual patrol costs Permit-based parking sensor.
- Data to optimise pricing, curb use and modal shift policies Parking occupancy analytics.
- Measurable reductions in cruising time and congestion when integrated into guidance and payment systems Parking turnover optimization.
Practical note: sensor hardware choices (detection method, communication protocol and battery chemistry) set the lifecycle cost and service cadence of a public parking sensor deployment; procurement must require test reports and backend integration details up front.
Standards and Regulatory Context
A procurement for a public parking sensor must reference radio, safety and environmental standards and demand test evidence (lab reports / conformity declarations). Below is a compact reference table aligned to common vendor deliverables.
| Standard / Directive | Scope | Why it matters for a public parking sensor | Example evidence to request |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN 300 220 (SRD) / Regional RF tests | Short‑range device radio performance & spurious emissions | Demonstrates lawful, interference‑controlled operation in licensed/unlicensed bands (e.g., LoRa EU868). | RF test report (Fleximodo RF test report). |
| EN 62368‑1 / IEC 62368‑1 | Product safety for ICT equipment | Confirms electrical safety across operating temps and battery options. | Safety test summary / certificate. |
| Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU & national equivalents | Radio device market access & EMC | Required for CE marking and sale in EU/EEA. Ensure declaration of conformity is provided. | Manufacturer conformity declaration. |
| IP / IK ratings (IP68, IK10) | Ingress and impact protection | Ensures long lifetime for flush/in‑ground sensors exposed to weather and road traffic. | Datasheet specifying IP68 / IK10. |
Procurement checklist (minimum contractual asks):
- Full RF test report and test dates.
- Safety certificate (IEC/EN 62368‑1) and conformity declaration.
- Environmental specs (IP/IK, operating temperature) and battery derating data.
- Backend API definition and event payload schema (for integration testing).
Types of public parking sensor
Below is a practical comparison of the dominant sensor technologies used for a public parking sensor and where each is best applied.
| Technology | How it detects | Typical battery life (vendor ranges) | Best on‑street use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geomagnetic / magnetometer | Measures vehicle magnetic signature | 3–10 years (depends on reporting interval & battery). Verify with per‑deployment battery calculation. | Single bays, exposed kerbs, long battery life requirement 3‑axis magnetometer |
| Nano‑radar / microwave | Doppler / presence detection with fast response | 3–7 years (higher active power than simple magnetometers) | Areas needing fast update or metal‑rich environments Nano‑radar technology |
| Ultrasonic | Time‑of‑flight distance to detect occupancy | 3–7 years (active sensing) | Covered garages or undercanopy bays Ultrasonic welded casing |
| Edge‑AI camera (VizioSense) | Image analytics on device | Wired / solar / battery with higher power — typical camera node needs dedicated power or large battery. | High‑density lots, multi‑bay detection and enforcement Edge‑AI camera |
| Pressure / inductive loops | Mechanical / inductive detection | Wire‑powered or battery with higher drain; loops require civil works | On‑ramp detection or reserved bays Inductive sensor |
| Hybrid / sensor fusion | Combine magnetometer + radar or camera | Optimised accuracy and lower false positives | Urban on‑street where accuracy and vandal resistance are needed Multi‑sensor fusion |
Notes:
- Battery life claims must be tied to a stated reporting profile; Fleximodo datasheets and product pages reference a per‑deployment calculation utility for battery life to avoid misleading blanket claims Battery life calculator.
- Camera nodes (edge AI) move more processing to the device and often require PoE, solar or mains, as shown in VizioSense accessories and smart battery specs.
System Components
A resilient public parking sensor solution is a system. The typical components you will specify and integrate are:
- Sensor nodes (magnetometer / radar / hybrid) with IP68 & IK protection IP68 ingress protection — see product datasheet and battery options.
- LPWAN gateways (LoRaWAN) or carrier connectivity for NB‑IoT / LTE‑M LoRaWAN connectivity NB‑IoT connectivity.
- Network & device server / LNS (LoRa Network Server) or carrier backend.
- City backend and apps (Fleximodo CityPortal) for drivers, enforcement and dashboards.
- Integration middleware (DOTA) that exposes REST API / webhooks and push notifications for real‑time events and telemetry DOTA monitoring.
- IoT Permit Cards or vehicle pairing accessories used for permit enforcement IoT permit card.
- Installation accessories: flush mounting sleeves, surface mounts, tamper screws, and tooling Easy installation.
- Field test kit: hand‑held radio coverage tool, camera verification kit, and battery drain readers.
Integrations to demand in the tender: raw occupancy payloads, battery telemetry, firmware version, last‑seen timestamp and device health flags via a documented REST API and webhook push model. Fleximodo DOTA explicitly supports multiple network inputs and offers a push/REST integration model for city systems.
How to install / measure / calculate / implement a public parking sensor — step-by-step
- Define scope, rules and KPIs: number of bays, enforcement rules, reporting interval (event vs heartbeat), and acceptance criteria Parking occupancy analytics.
- Radio & network survey: map gateway locations and expected path loss for LoRa/EU868 or plan SIM/carrier coverage for NB‑IoT.
- Select hardware and power option: choose magnetometer/radar hybrid or camera node depending on accuracy and power constraints; review datasheets for IP/IK and battery chemistry.
- Civil works planning: decide flush‑mount (in‑ground) vs surface mount and schedule road closures where needed Easy installation.
- Physical installation: place sensor, secure with tamper screws, set antenna/router alignment, and document device IDs and GPS. Use permit card pairing if enforcement required IoT permit card.
- Device commissioning: configure OTAA/ABP, configure reporting profile, perform baseline calibration (magnetic zeroing) and run test cycles with camera verification to verify detection accuracy.
- Backend integration and QA: connect to LNS / carrier backend and to DOTA / CityPortal; validate REST API payloads and webhook delivery and verify event timestamps DOTA monitoring.
- Pilot & metrics collection: run a 2–8 week pilot measuring detection rate, false positives, battery drain and network health before full roll‑out.
- Handover & maintenance scheduling: agree battery replacement cadence, OTA policy, SLA on replacement and service windows OTA firmware update.
Maintenance and Performance Considerations
Battery & power management
- Ask suppliers for a battery‑life calculator tied to reporting interval rather than a single number; vendor datasheets commonly link to an online calculator for per‑deployment estimates Battery life calculator.
- Build replacement logistics (per‑bay vs bulk swap), route optimisation and spare stock policy into the TCO model.
Remote health & OTA
- Require device telemetry (battery voltage, last seen, firmware version) and OTA update capability; DOTA and device backends should support push notifications for failures DOTA monitoring.
Environmental & mechanical durability
- Specify IP68 for ingress and IK10 for impact resistance in the spec; demand lab evidence IK10 impact resistance.
- Plan for winter derating: cold temperatures reduce battery capacity and must be modelled in the replacement cadence Cold weather performance.
False positives & recalibration
- Schedule recalibration windows after roadworks, major metallic changes (e.g., tram rails) or pavement works. Hybrid sensor fusion reduces false positives at the cost of slightly higher power draw Multi‑sensor fusion.
Network availability
- Monitor LNS / carrier statistics (uplink/downlink failures) and include network health SLAs in procurement documents LoRaWAN connectivity.
Current Trends and Advancements
Sensor fusion (magnetometer + nano‑radar) and edge‑processing cameras are converging: magnetic + radar nodes provide low‑power, high‑uptime occupancy detection while edge‑AI cameras are used for multi‑bay analytics, enforcement and quality control in higher‑power scenarios.
LPWAN selection is maturing into a mixed approach: LoRaWAN remains the lowest‑cost network for city‑managed wide deployments while NB‑IoT/LTE‑M is gaining traction where carrier coverage and SIM simplicity are preferred.
Energy strategies are also evolving: larger industrial cells, LiFePO4 smart batteries and solar‑assisted camera packs reduce field visits for camera nodes but require upfront mechanical and electrical design to support seasonality.
Key Takeaway — Pardubice 2021 (field pilot)
The Pardubice 2021 deployment (3,676 SPOTXL NB‑IoT sensors) shows how large-scale NB‑IoT sensor fleets can deliver citywide occupancy with manageable replacement logistics; planning battery cadence and route optimisation was critical to the project's TCO and operational stability.
Operational tip — winterproofing and battery modelling
When procuring sensors require a winter derating report and per‑deployment battery modelling; aim for a design that projects real battery replacement windows under -25 °C conditions and include spare stock to avoid service interruptions.
Summary
A public parking sensor is the operational heart of curbspace digitisation — it must be specified as a system: robust hardware (IP/IK), validated detection (magnetometer + radar or camera), proven RF compliance and a backend offering telemetry and API integrations. Tender documents should demand lab test reports, a battery‑life calculation and documented APIs to avoid costly surprises. For pragmatic city rollouts, specify the detection accuracy target, reporting profile and replacement cadence up front and insist on health telemetry from the supplier.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is public parking sensor?
An IoT device installed per parking bay that detects and reports the occupied/free state in real time to a networked backend for guidance, enforcement and analytics. Many modern designs combine magnetometer and nano‑radar sensing to maximise detection accuracy.
- How is public parking sensor calculated/measured/installed/implemented in smart parking?
Installation and implementation follow a predictable sequence: requirements & KPI definition, radio survey, selection of sensor type (magnetic/radar/camera), civil mounting, commissioning (baseline calibration), backend integration (LNS / DOTA) and pilot acceptance.
- What battery life can I expect from different public parking sensor technologies?
Geomagnetic sensors typically show the longest battery life under low reporting regimes (multi‑year), radar/ultrasonic mid‑range, and camera nodes require larger batteries or mains/PoE. Always ask for the vendor’s calculation tied to your reporting profile.
- How do I protect sensors from vandalism and weather?
Specify IP68 ingress protection, IK10 impact rating, tamper‑proof fasteners and serviceable flush‑mount sleeves. Require lab evidence for the ingress and impact ratings in contract documents.
- Which connectivity should I choose: LoRaWAN or NB‑IoT?
Choose LoRaWAN when you want a city‑managed, cost‑efficient LPWAN and you can manage gateway coverage; choose NB‑IoT/LTE‑M when you prefer carrier‑grade coverage and simplified device provisioning. Many projects use a mixed approach.
- How do I validate detection accuracy in a pilot?
Run camera‑verified acceptance tests and collect metrics (true positive rate, false positive rate, missed events). Fleximodo reference testing used camera surveillance in large‑event validation to quantify detection accuracy during QA.
Optimize Your Parking Operation with public parking sensor
Deploying the right public parking sensor reduces cruising, increases turnover and improves enforcement ROI. Start with clear KPIs (accuracy, reporting latency, battery life) and demand API access plus field telemetry from suppliers. Flexible backends (DOTA / CityPortal) let you turn raw occupancy events into enforcement triggers, reservations and driver guidance — reducing TCO over the project lifecycle.
References
Below we summarise selected live deployments and internal pilots that illustrate scale, connectivity choices and observed battery lifetimes.
- Pardubice 2021 — 3,676 SPOTXL NB‑IoT sensors, deployed 2020‑09‑28, recorded lifecycle
1,904 days (5.2 years) in our records; large‑scale NB‑IoT rollouts need detailed battery‑cadence planning. - RSM Bus Turistici — 606 SPOTXL NB‑IoT sensors, Roma Capitale, deployed 2021‑11‑26; demonstrates NB‑IoT in mixed urban fleets.
- Chiesi HQ White (Parma) — 297 sensors (SPOT MINI / SPOTXL LoRa), deployed 2024‑03‑05; indoor and mixed‑power deployments highlight the utility of mini form factors.
- Skypark 4 Residential Underground Parking — 221 SPOT MINI sensors, Bratislava, deployed 2023‑10‑03; underground cases increase importance of network planning and camera verification.
- CWAY virtual car parks (Portugal) — multiple virtual deployments (507, 178, 127 sensors) showing flexible virtual carpark configurations and remote QA.
(Full project list available to Fleximodo operations; extract above based on deployment registry.)
Author Bio
Ing. Peter Kovács, Technical Freelance writer
Ing. Peter Kovács is a senior technical writer specialising in smart‑city infrastructure. He writes for municipal parking engineers, city IoT integrators and procurement teams evaluating large tenders. Peter combines field test protocols, procurement best practices and datasheet analysis to produce practical glossary articles and vendor evaluation templates.