• Overview

Acer IT signed ‘Tainan City Roadside Smart Parking System Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)’ project with Tainan City on June 1st 2018. It is a twenty-year agreement from June 1st 2018 to 2038 May 31st , deploying and operating 2000 roadside parking spaces with smart parking meter system in East District, Anping District and West Central District.

The project deployed in four phases. Acer ITS took over manual ticketing process and replaced with smart parking meter to perform automatic ticketing process. During the project period, the parking spaces can be increased or decreased in quantity of 600 according to city’s requirements. In response to the trend of electric vehicle (EV) proliferation and to address charging issues, we have prioritized the installation of 60 smart parking and charging stations (including 20 smart poles) at high-traffic and key transportation nodes. To date, 40 smart parking and charging stations have been completed, continuously fostering an EV-friendly environment.

• STRATEGY

1.The First Comprehensive Smart On-Street Parking Management System In Chinese Taipei

Smart roadside parking management system consists of several core systems that provides smart roadside services. The front-end systems are in charge of detection, information collection and user interface. The back-end systems are in charge of recognition, transaction process, customer service and reporting. The front-end systems and back-end systems work hand-in-hand to provide a complete parking service for drivers. The big data analytics engine collect all the data from the systems and produces valuable insight for us to refine the systems and service process and ultimately provide a refreshing experience for drivers.

2.Business Model Innovation: The Largest Smart On-Street Parking PPP Project in Chinese Taipei

Compared to the traditional on-street parking model, which primarily relies on manual fee collection and often involves rights or service outsourcing with contract renewals every 2-3 years, resulting in slow technological progress, increased labor costs, and a lack of precise parking data. To accommodate the challenges of on-street parking, Acer ITS has pioneered an innovative approach. In the realm of smart on-street parking, Acer ITS has developed a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) project for Tainan City’s Smart On-Street Parking System, in accordance with PPP-related laws and embodying the spirit of “service outsourcing.” The contract period is from June 1, 2018, to May 31, 2038, with a 20-year concession period. During the construction phase, 2,000 on-street parking spaces were equipped with smart technology, effectively addressing the various challenges associated with traditional manual on-street parking fee collection.

3.Integrate EV Charging with Smart Parking Services

Acer ITS has launched the first smart parking meter that combines vehicle detection, license plate recognition, smart ticketing, and multiple payment options as front-end equipment. This meter provides the public with automated, intelligent, and efficient smart ticketing and diverse payment services. Additionally, Acer ITS has pioneered the integration of on-street parking with EV charging and billing functionalities. The self-developed smart parking and EV charging station not only features a built-in 7kW AC charging capability but also integrates intelligent license plate recognition. It can issue parking bills and incorporate parking barriers or other dynamic parking fees, reducing issues such as occupation by fuel vehicles and long-term parking.

4.Actively Promoting Achievements Through Online and Offline Channels

Acer ITS actively conducts online and offline promotions, including press conferences, international exhibitions, promotional materials, videos, interactions with various government and organizational levels, and press releases to enhance the visibility of our project domestically and internationally. As of May 2024, we have released over 100 press articles, participated in more than 20 international exhibitions, and conducted numerous online and offline promotions. We have participated in international exhibitions such as the Smart City Summit & Expo from 2017 to 2024, the 2023 Sustainability Expo, the 2023 AI Taiwan, Computex 2023, the 2023 Taiwan Expo in Japan, etc.

• MEASURE

1.The Largest Multi-Payment On-Street Parking Project in Chinese Taipei, Approaching 70% Non-cash Payment Rate.

Tainan City indicates that smart parking meter system reduces the cost of parking management. In the past, 85% of people paid parking fee at the convenience stores. Since implemented smart parking meters, the percentage of on-site payment has been up to roughly 50%. It not only reduces the percentage of paying at convenience stores, it also reduces the service fee paid by the city. Tainan City then can utilize these savings to provide better parking rates for drivers and more reasonable wages for parking officers.

2.Technological Law Enforcement – Multi-Purpose Pole, Showcasing Technological Applications

In addition to issuing parking bills, this project retains images and photos for a certain period for use by police authorities in maintaining public security, including detecting tax-delinquent vehicles and stolen vehicles. It also provides real-time reporting to relevant authorities for enforcement, enhancing law enforcement efficiency through inter-agency cooperation.

3.Aligned with SDGs 11 and 13, Paperless Ticketing for Greener Environment

Up to end of 2022, smart parking meters help save  4,847,156 paper tickets. It equivalents to 920,959 meters long of paper tickets. (Length of paper ticket: 19 cm) It is equivalent to the height of 1,762 Taipei 101 building.

4.Parking Analytics Platform Provides City Solid Basis for Parking Management Planning

Smart Parking Management System gathers all the data from Smart Parking Meter System and other related traffic information to provide an overall picture of parking activities in the city. Historical data analytics helps Tainan City gain insight of their operation and generate more realistic and accurate forecasts. The learning cycle produces invaluable experiences for the city to shape a better parking management plan in the future.

• PERFORMANCE

1.Completed Over 2,000 Smart Parking Spaces and 40 Charging/Smart Poles Spaces

2.Satisfaction Survey Analysis

According to an impartial academic survey, the 2021 service satisfaction analysis for this project indicates that the public gave Tainan City’s smart on-street parking system an average score of 92 out of 100. Additionally, 95% of respondents support the continued development of smart on-street parking services, and the satisfaction rate for the use of EV charging stations reached 90%.

3.2022 Operational Performance Evaluation Result: Outstanding Achievement with a Score of 86.67

The operational performance evaluation meeting, conducted in accordance with the investment contract specifications, is held annually. The Tainan City Government invites experts and scholars to serve as evaluation committee members to assess the performance each year. A score of 85 or above is considered excellent, demonstrating the project’s remarkable effectiveness.

4.Tainan Operations Management Center Creates Local Employment Opportunities

This project established an operations center in the sSouth District of Tainan City, providing local residents with job opportunities. Adhering to gender equality principles in the workplace, the project created nearly 30 jobs with an equal distribution of male and female employees.

5.Tainan Operations Management Center Employee Care Measures

Acer ITS provides basic protections, family care and support, and a healthy workplace atmosphere for employees. It also offers diverse and practical learning and development programs, including professional course training, general technology application training, internal and external training, and management training for supervisors, enabling employees to achieve self-worth.

Conclusion

Sustainable Technologies and Experiences Bring Innovation of Roadside Parking to the Brighter Future

From the BOT project in Tainan, Acer ITS has accumulated technical and operational experiences of smart roadside parking.  Constantly, Acer ITS is aggressively exploring opportunities to apply these valuable experiences. In the last two years, Acer ITS has gained the trust from several local governments and won the projects from them. By the end of 2024, it will reach over 6,500 parking stalls operated in Chinese Taipei. The next step for Acer ITS is bringing its solution to other countries in the world.

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