Deutsche Telekom has launched a six month smart city pilot scheme, aimed at bringing an intelligent parking guidance system to Pisa to aid motorists and tourists in finding parking sports quickly and easily.

Working in conjunction with authorities in the Italian city, Deutsche Telekom and partner firm Kiunsys have installed sensors on the floor of each parking sport on Piazza Carrara, located on the banks of the Arno. The units will collect information, sending it across the mobile network to the citys server infrastructure, before delivering it via indication panels that guide drivers to free spots, or via Pisas existing Tap&Park app.

The system will also allow the city to analyse historical traffic information via a big data service, and aims to help avoid traffic jams and reduce CO₂ emissions in the city, in addition to aiding drivers.

“The new parking system integrates seamlessly into our intelligent transport system,” says the mayor of Pisa, Marco Filippeschi. “It eases the flow of traffic and helps to cut CO₂ emissions. The pilot project is a big stride for Pisa towards improving its traffic situation over the long term. Indeed, drivers looking for a parking space make up some 30 per cent of inner-city traffic. So the easier it is for them to find a spot, the less traffic there will be.”

More details on how the smart parking system will be implemented in the infographic below.