Skip to main content

Study calls Inrix off-street parking the ‘clear winner’ in US and Europe

An independent off-street parking benchmark study carried out by automotive technology research firm SBD has concluded that ParkMe, an Inrix company, beat Parkopedia in data accuracy across the key attribute categories in five cities in the US and Germany. According to the study, overall, ParkMe was 12 per cent more accurate than Parkopedia across a set of core attributes that are essential to automakers for customer satisfaction. Most important, ParkMe was 23 per cent more accurate providing the precise
January 21, 2016 Read time: 3 mins
An independent off-street parking benchmark study carried out by automotive technology research firm 4263 SBD has concluded that 6114 ParkMe, an 163 Inrix company, beat 7374 Parkopedia in data accuracy across the key attribute categories in five cities in the US and Germany.

According to the study, overall, ParkMe was 12 per cent more accurate than Parkopedia across a set of core attributes that are essential to automakers for customer satisfaction. Most important, ParkMe was 23 per cent more accurate providing the precise entrance location to parking lots as compared to Parkopedia. ParkMe was the ‘clear winner’ across parking attributes including pricing information accuracy (91 percent versus 81 percent) and correct parking lot operating hours (87 per cent versus 83 per cent).

ParkMe, acquired by Inrix in September 2015, has built the world’s most comprehensive parking database that includes more than 29 million confirmed spaces in over 90,000 accessible locations spanning 4,000 cities in 64 countries. ParkMe only displays publicly accessible, non-restricted lots, including both free and fee parking locations, unlike Parkopedia, which also displays restricted-access lots. By excluding restricted lots from its worldwide dataset, consumers using ParkMe are not misrouted to locations that are unavailable to the general public.

SBD’s assessment looked at 488 random parking lots in November 2015 across Berlin, Munich and Stuttgart in Germany, as well as Boston and San Francisco in the United States. SBD’s trained data collectors evaluated on-site attributes lot by lot (backed by photographic evidence), then compared the field results to published information on respective ParkMe and Parkopedia websites. From the findings, SBD assessed overall accuracy scores, and scores per attribute, lot and city. SBD was compensated for collecting the data, but the assessments and scoring were completed on an objective and independent basis.

“SBD’s off-street parking study tells a very compelling story about the quality of ParkMe’s coverage in the US and Europe,” said Mark St Andrew, senior connected car analyst at SBD North America and the study’s author. “These results reinforce the importance of automotive OEMs and service providers focusing on the end-to-end experience for consumers, the foundation of which is starting with the most accurate data possible.”

“Inrix has always striven to have the most complete and reliable dynamic driver services worldwide,” said Steve Banfield, chief marketing officer of Inrix. “SBD has confirmed what we were already very confident in – that ParkMe has the most accurate parking service in the industry, which ultimately leads to very happy drivers.”

Inrix has also announced a new licensing agreement with Parknav to expand its on-street parking services to more than 20 German cities, bringing its total coverage to over 40 cities worldwide.

Parknav uses machine learning, big data and predictive analytics to determine what streets will have open parking in real-time. The solution works on all road types and covers all on-street parking categories including free, metered and permit parking. BMW will be the first automaker to include Inrix’s breakthrough service into its ConnectedDrive cars.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • System predicts train delays and informs response
    February 25, 2016
    David Crawford looks into the near-term future for Stockholm’s rail commuters. Swedish rail operator Stockholmståg, which runs commuter services in and around the country’s capital, is claiming a world first with the introduction of its automated Pendelprognosen (commuter prognosis) service. Developed to enable the prediction of delays as much as two hours before they are likely to occur, this offers the operator the scope for much earlier remedial action than previously - for example by filling in the expe
  • Toll performance exceeds expectations, improves travel times
    January 30, 2012
    Jean Harito, Attica Tollway Operations Authority and Steve Morello, Egis Projects describe how looking to exceed contractual obligations makes good operational and business sense. The Attica Tollway is a modern, 65km, access-controlled urban motorway with three lanes in each direction. It constitutes the ring road around the extensive metropolitan area of the Greek capital, Athens, and forms the backbone of the entire road network in the Attica region. By ensuring freeflow operating conditions, the Attica T
  • UK government funding package benefits plug-in vehicle drivers
    February 21, 2013
    UK drivers with plug-in vehicles are set to benefit from a US$57.3 million funding package for home and on-street charging and for new charge points for people parking plug-in vehicles at railway stations. The coalition government will provide 75 per cent of the cost of installing new charge points. This can be claimed by: people installing charge points where they live; local authorities installing rapid charge points to facilitate longer journeys, or providing on-street charging on request from residents
  • European e-Scooter of the Year
    May 8, 2012
    For the second year running, Govecs, Germany's leading supplier of electric scooters, has won the "European e-Scooter of the Year" Award. With its GO! S2.4 model, the company beat off strong competition in the under 25 km/h category, the most popular category in the Netherlands. The other first place was achieved in the highly competitive 45 km/h category with the GO! T2.4 cargo scooter. To add to their achievements, Govecs also went on to win second place in both these categories with their GO! S1.2 and GO