SPOT – Smart Parking Space Optimization Tool

SPOT develops a data-driven tool for demand-oriented optimization of parking spaces in urban areas to use space more efficiently and promote climate neutrality. The tool supports cities in reducing parking areas and creating green spaces by calculating evidence-based parking space ratios.

Short Description

Initial Situation / Motivation

The transition to climate-neutral cities requires a re-evaluation of outdated planning principles that prioritize car traffic. In urban areas, excessively large spaces are often allocated for stationary traffic, leading to unfair space distribution and additional heat islands. This reinforces car-centric lifestyles and urban sprawl. Cities, therefore, need innovative solutions to implement transformative mobility measures efficiently and cost-effectively.

Content and Objectives

The SPOT project aims to develop a data-driven tool for calculating demand-oriented parking space ratios for residential and commercial buildings. The goal is to use urban spaces more efficiently, reduce land consumption, and improve the quality of life and climate adaptation in cities. SPOT should seamlessly integrate into existing planning and approval processes and be dynamically adapted to new political goals.

Methodological Approach

SPOT is based on a curated dataset containing demand-oriented, location-specific values. Using multivariate statistical methods, digital spatial data, and GIS-based tools, parking space ratios are modelled. The tool considers both location-related factors (e.g., settlement structure, accessibility) and project-related factors (e.g., car-sharing, mobility contracts). The development takes place in close collaboration with stakeholders and is refined through several feedback loops.

Expected Results

SPOT will provide a flexible and transparent tool to support cities in the demand-oriented planning of parking spaces. It enables more efficient land use, reduces car dependency, and promotes the creation of green spaces. The tool will be tested in pilot cities like Klagenfurt and then scaled nationwide. The results will be disseminated in transfer workshops and published in scientific journals.

Project Partners

Project management

International Project Management Agency on Lake Wörthersee GmbH

Project or cooperation partners

tbw research GesmbH
Research Studios Austria FG

Contact Address

IPAK – International Project Management Agency on Lake Wörthersee GmbH
Neuer Platz 1
A-9020 Klagenfurt

Tel.: +43 (463) 537 4885
E-mail: wolfgang.hafner@klagenfurt.at
Web: www.ipak-klagenfurt.at