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Making Sense of Curb and Parking Data Standards

With the rise of smart cities and the increasing complexity of curbside management, data standards have become essential for organizing and sharing information about parking rules and regulations. These standards provide a common language for cities, mobility providers, and technology companies to communicate about curb space, enabling better planning, analysis, and overall efficiency in its use.

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In this blog post, we’ll break down three major data standards for curb and parking management: CurbLR, the Curb Data Specification (CDS), and the Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS). We’ll explore their key features, compare their strengths and limitations, and provide guidance for cities looking to adopt the right standard.

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CurbLR: A Linear Referencing Approach

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CurbLR, developed by SharedStreets, is an open data standard that defines curb regulations using a linear referencing system. Curbside assets like parking signs and meters are mapped as points and linked to specific street segments through the SharedStreets Referencing System. This ensures a precise, standardized way to define where parking rules apply. The data exchange format for CurbLR is GeoJSON.

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Designed to be machine-readable and accessible to those with technical expertise, CurbLR is used in various applications, from navigation tools to urban planning. It captures essential curb regulation data without being overly exhaustive, focusing on information relevant to external stakeholders.

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One of the key benefits of CurbLR for government agencies is its ability to help them effectively manage and regulate the curbside, which is increasingly important as demand for curb space grows in urban areas. For transportation services, a standardized curb inventory like the one CurbLR provides allows mobility operators, transportation network companies, delivery services, and parking payment companies to build services that make it seamless for their users to find and use curb space.  

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Cities can shape their data collection and processing around what's needed to generate a CurbLR feed, ensuring they capture all essential data from the start. By requiring vendors to deliver data in a CurbLR format, cities can ensure the final output is structured, street-linked, and aligned with their curbside management needs.

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Key Features of CurbLR:

• Linear Referencing: Provides a precise and standardized way to define the location of parking rules.

• Simple Structure: Uses a straightforward format to store complex parking regulations.

• Open Standard: Freely available for use and adaptation by cities and companies.

• Focus on Supply: Primarily focuses on the supply side of curbside management, describing the available parking spaces and their associated rules.

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Information Collected in CurbLR:

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Managing Updates and Improvements to CurbLR:

SharedStreets, the organization behind CurbLR, manages updates and improvements to the standard. They work with cities, partners, and organizations worldwide to ensure that CurbLR remains relevant and adaptable to evolving curbside management needs. Feedback and contributions from the community are encouraged to enhance the standard further.

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Curb Data Specification (CDS): Managing Dynamic Curb Zones

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The Curb Data Specification (CDS), developed by the Open Mobility Foundation, is a data standard and set of APIs that help cities manage dynamic curb zones—areas where regulations change based on time, demand, or events. CDS provides a standardized way for cities to share these rules with the public and mobility providers.

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CDS optimizes commercial loading, enhances safety, sustainability, and accessibility, and enables cities to track real-time curb usage. It helps analyze curb activity, enforce regulations, and respond to violations more effectively. Cities can use CDS to share regulations, monitor curb status, track usage, and improve enforcement.

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A key insight about CDS is that it enables cities to respond to changing market dynamics with the same flexibility as private sector partners. This adaptability is crucial in the rapidly evolving landscape of urban mobility, where new transportation modes and services are constantly emerging.

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Key Features of CDS:

• Dynamic Curb Zones: Supports the management and communication of dynamic curb regulations.

• API-driven: Uses APIs to facilitate data exchange between cities and curb users.

• Demand Focus: Emphasizes the demand side of curbside management, capturing real-time information on curb usage and events.

• Open Source: Developed collaboratively on GitHub with input from public and private stakeholders.

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Information Collected in CDS:

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Managing Updates and Improvements to CDS:

The Open Mobility Foundation regularly updates and improves CDS through an open, collaborative process. Public agencies, private companies, and other stakeholders can contribute feedback via GitHub or participate in the Curb Management Working Group. This approach helps ensure that CDS evolves to meet the changing needs of cities and the mobility industry.

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Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS): A Comprehensive Standard

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The Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS), created by the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI), the British Parking Association (BPA), and the European Parking Association (EPA), establishes a global standard for parking data. It covers key elements like location, pricing, occupancy, and transactions.

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APDS enhances interoperability across parking systems, enabling seamless data exchange. It applies to on-street parking, off-street lots, and garages. APDS also integrates the International Parking Industry Payment Standards (IPIPS) from the EPA and the Data Exchange Standards (IPI-DataEx) from IPMI, ensuring industry consistency.

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APDS can revolutionize how drivers find, book, and pay for parking, including support for self-driving vehicles to navigate both drivers and passengers to an available space based on the price, quality of the space, safety of the space, and availability of on-site services - including being near electric charging points.

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Key Features of APDS:

• Comprehensive Scope: Covers a wide range of parking data elements and facility types.

• Global Standard: Aims to be a universally applicable standard for parking data exchange.

• Consensus-built: Developed through collaboration between leading parking associations and industry experts.

• Focus on Interoperability: Facilitates seamless data sharing between parking entities and other stakeholders.

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Information Collected in APDS:

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Managing Updates and Improvements to APDS:

APDS is managed and maintained by the Alliance for Parking Data Standards organization. They release updated versions of the APDS standard based on feedback from the parking industry and stakeholders. APDS aims to ensure the standard remains relevant and adaptable to the evolving needs of the parking and mobility landscape.

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Choosing the Right Standard: Recommendations for Cities

Selecting the right data standard for curb and parking management depends on a city's specific goals. Here’s a clear guide to help cities make the best choice:

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• If the goal is simplified communication, CurbLR may be the best option. Its simple structure and linear referencing system make it easy to implement, helping cities map and share curb rules with the public and third-party apps.

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• For cities managing dynamic curb space and real-time demand, CDS is the way to go. Its API-driven approach supports active curb management, making it ideal for high-traffic areas with evolving needs and priorities beyond parking.

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• If a city needs a comprehensive parking standard that includes off-street facilities and payment systems, APDS is the strongest choice. It ensures seamless integration across garages, parking lots, and on-street spaces.

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In many cases, cities may find value in using a mix of these standards to meet their unique needs.   The key is to assess existing infrastructure, long-term mobility goals, and technical capabilities before committing to a specific framework.

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Conclusion

CurbLR, CDS, and APDS each play a crucial role in modern curb and parking management. By adopting the right standard, cities can reduce congestion, improve efficiency, and create a more seamless transportation experience. As urban mobility evolves, these data standards will be essential in shaping smarter, more connected cities.

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About Vianova

Vianova's tools allow users to create regulations and publish them in multiple different formats, including all three of those described above.

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Reach out and learn more about our Policy Writing applications!  Visit our page to get in touch.

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