Smart Parking Management for Heringsdorf

The challenge

Heringsdorf, a popular seaside holiday destination on the island of Usedom in Germany, attracts large numbers of day visitors and tourists, especially during the summer season. The high influx of visitors leads to significant parking search traffic in Heringsdorf as well as in the neighboring towns of Ahlbeck and Bansin. Drivers circulate while looking for available spaces, causing unnecessary congestion, longer travel times, and increased traffic within the resort area. To manage seasonal peaks efficiently and reduce the strain on local infrastructure, a modern, data-driven parking management approach was required. 

The process

As part of the European project Parking gets smart, an innovative parking management concept was introduced. Four parking areas were equipped with different detection technologies to record occupancy accurately. These included two inductive loop systems, one ground-based single-space sensor system, and one camera-based single-space detection system. 

In the first expansion stage, ticket sales data from Flowbird parking meters was integrated to estimate occupancy levels. The cloud-based MyCity platform communicated directly with the parking meter backend to combine this data with real-time detection information. 

Occupancy data is displayed on dynamic LCD signs at car park entrances. Additional boards along main access roads provide overviews of current utilisation and relevant traffic information. Four full-graphic, full-colour RGB LED matrix displays complement the system, allowing not only parking information but also event-related and general traffic messages to be shown. 

The MyCity platform acts as the central data hub for the entire region. Through open interfaces, it connects detection devices from different technologies and manufacturers, processes static and dynamic parking data, and makes it available via REST API. The integrated traffic management algorithm and scenario manager control the dynamic signage based on current conditions. Data is also provided to the PARCO app and other mobility services, enabling visitors to check parking availability before starting their journey. 

The solution

With real-time occupancy detection, dynamic signage, and centralized data processing, Heringsdorf has significantly reduced parking search traffic. Visitors are guided directly to available parking spaces, minimizing unnecessary detours and easing overall traffic conditions in the resort and surrounding areas. 

The integrated solution — combining multi-technology detection systems, dynamic parking displays at five locations, four RGB LED traffic information signs, the cloud-based MyCity data platform, Flowbird parking meter integration, and the PARCO app as a digital virtual VMS — creates a smart, connected parking ecosystem. 

As a result, traffic flows more smoothly, visitors experience greater convenience, and the quality of stay in the popular holiday region is noticeably improved.