Dynamic parking guidance streamlines city center traffic in Oulu

Data networks Infrastructure and Digitalization Smart City Smart Mobility

Autoja lähestymässä Oulun keskusta-aluetta, pysäköinninopastekyltit näyttävät vapaiden paikkojen määrän.

Dynamic parking guidance is primarily a service for city center visitors, but it also helps cities reduce traffic emissions. A modern guidance system is now in use in the city of Oulu.

The first city-wide parking guidance systems were introduced in Finland already in the 1990s. In 2005, Jyväskylä implemented the first modern system, based on a new ring-road parking concept and mobile network technology. The ring-road concept was developed by smart mobility pioneer Ari Tuomainen (WSP Finland), while the technical implementation was designed by Timo Majala, one of Nodeon’s founders.

“The benefits of dynamic parking guidance are largely the same as those of other forms of dynamic traffic management. The guidance is based on real-time information, enabling drivers to make decisions based on up-to-date data,” explains Tuomainen.

“The goal of dynamic parking guidance is to reduce unnecessary traffic in city centers caused by drivers searching for parking spaces. This is achieved by providing drivers with open, real-time information about available parking spots.”

Pysäköinninopastustauluja Oulun keskustassa.

The ring-road model directs parking traffic onto preferred routes

The system in Oulu, like those in many other cities, is based on the ring-road parking model:

“The concept is based on two levels of traffic guidance. Drivers arriving in the city center first receive general information about available parking spaces in different directions, which helps guide traffic onto the ring-road route. Along the ring, more detailed, facility-specific guidance provides real-time information on available spaces in individual parking facilities,” explains Tuomainen.

“In 2005, the data transfer in parking guidance systems boldly moved to mobile network technology, just as 3G was being introduced,” says Majala. “At that time, the discussion was not yet about IoT, but about M2M (Machine-to-Machine) solutions. The transition brought significant scalability advantages compared to the previously used fixed, custom-built radio links. Implementing the new technology also introduced new requirements for the design of sign control protocols and cybersecurity.”

Asgard Flow – smarter traffic guidance

Oulu’s parking guidance system is based on Nodeon’s Asgard Flow platform. Nodeon’s Asgard systems still utilize mobile networks to control the signs, but the central control system has moved to the cloud. This means the city does not need to worry about acquiring servers or deciding where to place them.

Asgard Flow provides cities with an easy way to implement smart traffic management. The ready-to-use, cloud-based solution supports multiple urban control, guidance, and warning systems.

Explore Nodeon Asgard solutions