Worsening pollution levels are no secret. Drivers circling around parking spaces in search of a spot; according to studies, increases carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 35%. Vehicles that move at higher speed emit less amount of toxins. However, due to lack of space and inefficient parking, traffic jams have become the order of the day. Toxins are emitted at a higher level as most motorists leave their vehicle engines running when they are stuck in traffic, often caused by other motorists looking for parking. Additionally, the problem of noise pollution with rampant honking is aggravated too.

Smart city initiatives promise to improve quality of life by creating a pollution-free environment. Smart parking is one giant leap in the direction of promoting a sustainable ecosystem and making our cities more livable. Cities around the world are already adopting smart parking solutions in a bid to create smarter, less polluted cities. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions in certain cities have dropped as much as 30% and traffic volume has decreased by 8%. But we have a lot more work ahead of us. Sustainability though is prioritized through use of low-energy technology and reduction of vehicle emissions up to 50%.

Through parking data, smart parking systems are enabling city administrations to access crucial data to pave the way for cleaner environments. Yet, such benefits are unlikely to occur with outdated infrastructure in place and disconnected systems that can’t communicate with each other. By leveraging IoT, smart parking easily solves this problem.

By using FALCON VISION® INTEGRATED PGS, LED indicators alert drivers to where vacant space can be found eliminating the need for drivers to waste time searching for space. By directing drivers to open spaces quickly, smart parking can reduce congestion and resultant emissions. And the harmful effects of vehicle emissions, like chronic respiratory diseases, are effectively curtailed. Parking becomes more readily available and a positive environmental impact is realized. Through the combination of our wireless integration with wayfinding signage and our bright LED lighting and smart-sensor signaling, search time is reduced by as much as 45% – when a facility is over 75% occupied. For a 1,000-space garage this can result in a yearly reduction of fuel usage of up to 21,048 gallons and 185,436 kg of related CO2 emissions. Plus, by implementing dynamic pricing based on available space, smart parking can pay for itself as well as reduce congestion and improve air/noise pollution.

The camera-based FALCON VISION® Integrated PGS utilizes fully automated wireless technology. Our Wireless Mesh Connected system uses state-of-the-art Edge Processing with a WiFi backbone. This wireless PGS nests within arguably the highest quality and highest performing LED lighting fixture. No other product on the market can claim that. With no need for additional unsightly conduit wiring combined with lower installation costs, you start generating ROI much sooner with quicker deployment timelines and with implementation headaches absent. Wireless systems are perfect for existing garages as well as new construction. ECO Parking Technologies also offers a stand-alone version of FALCON VISION® PGS for those projects that recently re-did their lighting or choose not to replace lighting.

The FALCON VISION® Integrated PGS allows parking structures to save money in many areas.  Our top-rated LED fixtures are saving over 90% energy costs from traditional lighting methods and provide excellent lighting control. A 2,000-space garage historically would cost $175,000 per year in operational costs (full output of 175-watt Metal Halide @ $.12/kWh). The ECO FlexTech® 100-watt Center Run LED fixture with FALCON VISION® Integrated PGS and Lighting Controls will cost just $25,000 per year in operational costs (average 50% output @ $.12/kWh). That is a whopping 85% decrease energy costs and a savings of $150,000 per year. That savings repeats itself EVERY YEAR. On top of that, maintenance savings are added to these savings. With the Watchdog feature of the FALCON VISION®, we are often are able to advise an owner of a lighting or PGS issue before they themselves are aware.

Consider this math… If a PGS system for a 2,000-space garage cost $500 per space, or $1M for the entire project, with an energy savings of $150,000 per year, a simple payback for the PGS would be 6.6 years. And with FALCON VISION® you would get BOTH a Parking Guidance System…Lighting….AND….Lighting Controls.

Now, if having a PGS system in a garage can sell just 2% more parking spaces on a single turn a day (because of the ability to know exact number of spaces that are available), using the 2,000 space garage example and assuming only one turn per day and $18 per turn, 40 more cars could park per day x $12 = $480 x 312 days (6 days per week) = $150,000/year in increased revenue.  Now the payback is $1M / ($150,000 + $150,000) = 3.3 years.

FALCON VISION® Integrated PGS can also be used to help owners, operators, on-line aggregators, etc. price spaces dynamically as parking inventory is depleted.  FALCON VISION® will help the commercial operator oversell monthly reserved spaces by actual and predictive calculations.

Imagine how the value of a property could increase with the installation of the ONLY camera-based, wireless, parking guidance system with fully-integrated LED Lighting, and lighting controls on the market. And what’s more, with FALCON VISION® PGS and lighting system completely paid for within 3.3 years of a 10-year ownership period, you have an additional 6.7 years left after payback to continue annual savings of $300,000 or an additional $2M in profits (after your PGS is ready paid for).