Skip to main content

Xerox introduces smart grid parking system

Merge, a technology from Xerox provides municipalities with a central management system to manage parking operations, integrating hardware and software to provide real-time information about coin collections, meter maintenance, enforcement and occupancy by applying real-time data to solve parking issues. According to Xerox, Merge is the first system to fully integrate and provide analytics on all aspects of metered and off-street parking programs. Merge is built on an open architecture platform that enables
May 21, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Merge, a technology from 4186 Xerox provides municipalities with a central management system to manage parking operations, integrating hardware and software to provide real-time information about coin collections, meter maintenance, enforcement and occupancy by applying real-time data to solve parking issues. According to Xerox, Merge is the first system to fully integrate and provide analytics on all aspects of metered and off-street parking programs.
 
Merge is built on an open architecture platform that enables cities to plug and play any field technology or software system that manages parking operations – from parking space sensors and meters to handheld devices as well as the internet, smart phones, and dynamic message signs for real-time parking guidance.

Merge is also equipped with Xerox’s proprietary dynamic pricing engine that can be used to recommend parking rates based on historical data as well as adjust parking prices by predicting demand using data from current conditions.

“For the first time, parking managers have immediate visibility into what is happening on their streets,” said David Cummins, senior vice president of Parking and Justice Solutions, Xerox Transportation. “Now municipalities can make data-driven decisions on everything from meter collections to rate structures – improving performance and creating additional revenues.”
 
In Los Angeles, Merge is deployed as part of the City’s LA Express Park program, where Xerox’s algorithm-driven pricing model sets parking prices based on supply and demand, helping improve parking turn over and space availability and provide a better experience for drivers.
 
“Merge integrates both our back-end parking systems and in-field parking technology,” said Dan Mitchell, senior transportation engineer, City of Los Angeles, overseeing LA Express Park. “The central management capabilities provide valuable insight into our total parking environment and the open platform allows us to be flexible in sourcing suppliers.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Detection analysis technology successfully predicts traffic flows
    February 3, 2012
    David Crawford investigates new detection analysis technology from IBM. Locations on both the East and West Coasts of the US are scheduled for early deployments of IBM's new Traffic Prediction Tool (TPT) statistical analysis model for the fine-time resolution and near-term prediction of road flow conditions. Developed by IBM's Watson Research Laboratories, TPT is designed to analyse data from the the key detection indicators - average vehicle volumes and speeds passing a location in a given time interval -
  • San Francisco plans express lane network across Bay Area
    February 25, 2015
    Colin Sowman looks at plans to convert 240km (150 miles) of HOV/car pool lanes. While some authorities have debated the conversion of high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) into express or managed lanes allowing toll paying single-occupant vehicles to avoid congestion, San Francisco’s Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has acted. It is converting 240km (150 miles) of HOV/car pool lanes to express lanes and last fall the MTC’s Bay Area Infrastructure Financing Authority selected TransCore to d
  • EIT Mobility’s A-Z of Uvar
    January 31, 2023
    Well-implemented vehicle mobility schemes offer cities quick ways to improve the quality of urban life - and now EIT Mobility has written a guide to doing so. Andrew Stone has a read…
  • Streetline showcases smart parking at ITS World Congress
    October 11, 2012
    Streetline will showcase smart parking technology that combines sensors and a suite of applications to provide cities with real time and historical data and offer flexible parking options for residents and visitors while reducing traffic congestion in downtown areas. As the company points out, cities are facing the challenge of aging infrastructure, a growing population and limited financial resources.