Jongno-gu, IoT-Based Shared Parking Service

Check Parking Availability and Make Reservations in Real Time via Mobile App... Pilot Operation of 14 Spaces Including 9 Resident Priority Parking Spots Next to Samcheong-dong Community Center and 5 Spaces at Changsam Public Parking Lot

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) is operating a 'shared parking service based on the Internet of Things (IoT)' to alleviate parking difficulties in residential areas and enhance residents' convenience.

The 'IoT-based shared parking service' is a smart parking sharing system that uses IoT sensors to allow real-time checking of available parking spaces through a mobile app.

Since July 1, the district has been conducting a pilot operation of the IoT-based shared parking service targeting a total of 14 parking spaces: 9 resident-priority parking spaces next to Samcheong-dong Community Center and 5 spaces at Changsam Public Parking Lot.

Samcheong-dong, the pilot area, frequently experienced parking problems due to a lack of parking spaces for downtown tourists, and Changsam Public Parking Lot has high parking demand from visitors to the nearby Sanmaru Playground.

To implement the IoT-based shared parking service, the district signed an agreement with Hancom Mobility last year and completed the installation of IoT parking sensors on the floors of resident-priority parking spaces.

When an assigned user of a resident-priority parking space registers their parking space for sharing during specific times, anyone can check available parking areas and usage fees in real time through the mobile app (Parking Friends) and use the parking lot.

For users who do not use smartphones or are not familiar with the app, a telephone service is also provided.

The shared parking service is available on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., when assigned vehicles in resident-priority parking spaces leave for work, leaving the parking spaces vacant.

The usage fee is 600 KRW per 30 minutes, with an additional 100 KRW charged for every 5 minutes of extension.

The district expects that providing real-time information on available parking spaces will reduce inconveniences caused by illegal parking and somewhat alleviate the shortage of parking spaces. Depending on the pilot operation results, the district plans to expand the areas where the IoT-based shared parking service is available.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “I hope the real-time shared parking system using IoT technology will help efficiently use parking spaces and solve illegal parking issues,” adding, “We will do our best to promote a sharing culture such as shared parking and resolve the shortage of parking spaces.”