Smart parking systems: A comprehensive review of digitalization of parking services

Smart parking systems (SPS) address issues that plague traditional parking methods by offering data on real-time parking availability, optimizing the use of space, and facilitating convenient payment solutions. Despite the timeliness and importance of the systems, however, the literature fails to adequately identify areas within SPS that can be vastly improved by innovation. This study addresses the research gap by identifying the key limitations of 124 comprehensively reviewed academic papers and offering innovative solutions. For sensor technology, the challenge of environmental effects and camera line-of-sight issues is tackled with a proposed integrated sensor framework, combining radar precision with camera coverage, all enhanced by AI for greater detection accuracy. Communication networks, currently hindered by scalability and node failure, could be improved with a mesh network architecture for better reliability. To address data management concerns, specifically data integrity and security, the integration of blockchain technology is suggested to protect against data breaches and boost user confidence. Lastly, to simplify complex SPS user interfaces, AI-driven adaptive interfaces are recommended to personalize the user experience and improve system engagement. The findings of this study will be instrumental for city planners, SPS developers, and parking authorities who are tasked with implementing efficient and reliable smart parking solutions.