PARKLINQ is continuing its efforts to create innovative parking solutions as post-pandemic traffic and subsequent parking demand is anticipated to climb as Covid-related restrictions are lifted.
Founded in 2020, the company aims to enable drivers to find, reserve and pay for parking spots on their mobile phones. According to the company, Parklinq works with real estate owners and offers software and management services for their lots or garage.
Its latest development is a high-tech, three-tiered parking rate system — which the company says is the first of its kind.
The three-tiered system can instantly verify out-of-state visitors, Hawaii residents, and those who live in the neighborhood and offer corresponding rates, said Parkling officials in an announcement.
For example, an out-of-state visitor parking rate may be $3 per hour, Hawaii resident parking is $1 per hour, and if a driver’s address on their state identification card is within a mile of the parking, the parking is free, the announcement said.
“Our goal is to scale this system statewide to make ‘smart parking’ available in our islands,” Tyler Saenz, Parklinq’s founder and CEO said in a statement. “The distributed functions of a multi-tiered system and solar-powered video monitoring are ideal for a complicated, islandwide solution and eliminates the need for an intense, centralized database and thousands of pay stations.”
Parklinq in early May will introduce smart parking to Ko Olina, the first area of the state to adopt the new tiered-parking system, the company said.
Later in May, the Maui Ocean Center and Pacific Whale Foundation will introduce smart parking to the Valley Isle.
According to the company, the parking system also supports economic recovery efforts for landowners by converting their traditionally free parking into a way to generate a substantial revenue stream.
“Paid parking statewide currently generates $180 million annually and we estimate there is an additional $30 million a year in unrealized parking revenue,” Saenz said. “When we pay for parking, we will use more discretion in deciding whether we need to drive and this will reduce congestion and traffic flow in busy areas. This also has a direct benefit on our environment.”
Additionally, the company said surveillance features help ensure there's no abuse of the parking systems.
In late 2021, the company developed Parklinq Five-0, a statewide enforcement portal the company says is equivalent to having someone onsite at each parking location around the clock.
"This system relies upon solar-powered video monitoring and a network of local parking liaisons who can tap into the camera system to analyze lot occupancy and set pricing accordingly," Parklinq officials said in the announcement. "Illegally parked vehicles are tagged and recorded with high-resolution photos to mitigate disputes and maximize compliance."
