Introducing the Digital Curb: A Fundamental Building Block for Modern Curbside Management

Originally Published in Forbes

In the bustling arteries of our cities, where concrete meets commerce, lies a critical yet often overlooked asset: the urban curb. Once primarily the domain of parked cars, the curb has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a dynamic space that reflects the changing needs and demands of urban life. This evolution, accelerated by the seismic shifts brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, has catapulted the curb into the spotlight of urban transportation management.

The concept of the “digital curb” is at the forefront of this transformation, offering cities a powerful tool to navigate the complexities of modern transportation systems. From ride-hailing services to last-mile delivery and the advent of autonomous vehicles, the digital curb offers an opportunity to revolutionize how cities manage and allocate this precious resource.

Despite rapid curbside changes that were implemented during the COVID-19 crisis, such as outdoor dining and pick-up and drop-off zones, many cities have been slow to officially update their parking policies to address emerging use cases. The rise of urban delivery, for example, has outpaced the development of dedicated curbside access areas, leading to congestion and inefficiencies. Moreover, the arrival of autonomous vehicles presents new challenges, underscoring the urgent need for dynamic and digital curb management solutions.

Spurred by U.S. Department of Transportation SMART grants, many major cities are now investing in their digital curbs. One cornerstone of several SMART grant recipient initiatives involves “coding their curbs” — that is, creating a database of curb and parking regulations using data standards so they can be digitally communicated to connected fleets, as well as analyze curb activity through smart parking meters, sensors, or cameras. By digitizing this critical infrastructure, cities can better manage, adapt, and allocate curb space to support a wide range of transportation modes and activities.

In San Francisco, the city is leveraging their SMART grant funding to roll out a bold plan to build their digital curb. Similarly, the City of Seattle published the first version of their digital curb, and will be leveraging their SMART grant funding to bring in new data on curb activity to inform more rapid decision making.

Yet, the path to digitization is not without its challenges. Many public agencies have limited tools and resources to create and maintain accurate curb inventories. Existing data may be fragmented or outdated, making it difficult to reconcile with on-street signage and regulations. Addressing these hurdles requires a concerted effort to collect, analyze, and transform curb data into standards such as the Curb Data Specification (CDS), ensuring that it remains relevant and accessible to all stakeholders.

Successfully building a digital curb may appear to be a daunting task with miles of curbs to cover and transform. For many cities, a more approachable first step is to start with a few critical blocks of a congested, downtown area. Focusing on particular neighborhoods and highly trafficked hot-spots to code one’s curbs is a great starting point for many cities to begin their digital curb journey. Afterall, the purpose of building a digital curb inventory is to have the digital framework in place to manage precious curbside space for connected vehicles.

At the forefront of this effort is Populus, a leading provider of curb management solutions. By working closely with cities around the world, Populus has gained valuable insights into the complexities of modern curb management, helping municipalities unlock the full potential of their curbside assets.

The benefits of digitizing the curb are manifold. By enabling cities to better understand and optimize curb space usage, digital curb inventories can reduce congestion, improve safety, and promote sustainable transportation modes. Moreover, by fostering collaboration between public agencies, private companies, and community stakeholders, digital curb management can ensure that curbside resources are allocated equitably and efficiently.

As we look to the future of urban transportation, the digital curb is a key building block for modern curbside management. By embracing the potential of this transformative approach, cities can create more vibrant, resilient, and accessible urban environments for all. The time to unlock the power of the digital curb is now.