Across Europe, cities and regions are experiencing growing demand for access to limited curb space. This shared public resource must now serve a wider range of users and functions, making dynamic and efficient curbside management an increasingly urgent priority. The webinar brought together expert speakers from North America and representatives from EU-funded projects DISCO and UNCHAIN to exchange knowledge on the role of digital tools in improving the use of urban curb space.

From concept to practice: Digital tools for curb management

Raffaele Vergnani from POLIS opened the session by highlighting the complex challenges urban areas face in managing their curbside space. As cities grow denser and mobility patterns become more diverse, the ability to plan, regulate, and optimise curbside use has become critical.

Andrew Gass-Hastings from the Open Mobility Foundation (OMF) introduced the Curb Data Specification (CDS), a suite of open-source tools that allow cities to digitise curb regulations and monitor usage in real time. The OMF, established in 2019, helps cities and industry partners collaborate through open data standards, with a strong emphasis on transparency and shared development.

The CDS works alongside the Mobility Data Specification (MDS), another OMF tool that facilitates data exchange between public agencies and shared mobility providers. MDS enables cities to share regulations such as speed limits or designated parking zones, with more than 300 agencies around the world already using the standard.

Curb space encompasses more than just roadways: it includes pavements, loading zones, and parking areas. CDS helps cities digitise these elements through APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), enabling them to collect data via sensors and cameras and then communicate rules and usage information to end users in real time. This enhances operational efficiency, reduces conflict between users, and creates a foundation for more responsive planning.

Case study: Los Angeles

The City of Los Angeles is facing increasing pressure on curb space following a surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. At present, approximately 40% of the city’s curbside is dedicated to parking, limiting the capacity to meet other needs such as deliveries, food trucks, pedestrian access, and micro-mobility services.

In response, Los Angeles launched the 'Code the Curb' programme, which aims to digitise curb infrastructure and improve its management. Key goals include improving safety, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, facilitating new uses such as zero-emission delivery zones, and ensuring better access for all users, from commercial deliveries to passenger drop-offs.

The CDS provides a framework for mapping and regulating this space through three APIs, each supporting data collection, optimisation, and performance assessment. With the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the city sees this digital infrastructure as vital for effective event logistics and long-term mobility planning.

European perspectives: Helsinki and Madrid

The webinar then turned to experiences from two EU-funded projects: DISCO and UNCHAIN. In Helsinki, the DISCO Living Lab is piloting data-driven curb management approaches, with a particular focus on loading zone usage. The city has limited information on how its curb space is used, so DISCO is working to fill this gap by equipping seven loading zones with sensors to monitor occupancy, vehicle types, and misuse. These battery-powered, relocatable sensors feed data into the Tietorahti map application, which provides real-time updates for drivers and supports more effective planning.

In addition to sensor data, the project uses floating car data (FCD) from commercial vehicles to understand stopping patterns and traffic flow in the city centre. Despite limited access to some commercial data, Helsinki found the tools to be highly useful and is already applying the findings to plan future loading zones.

In Madrid, the UNCHAIN project is supporting the city’s Madrid 360 sustainability strategy, which includes measures to promote greener urban freight and more efficient use of curbside space. The city faces challenges such as congestion, inefficient allocation of loading areas, and inconsistent enforcement.

To address these issues, Madrid has implemented a parking management system based on sustainability criteria. Pricing varies by zone, residency status, and vehicle emissions. Notably, the system features dynamic pricing: if pollution levels rise above a certain threshold, tariffs increase accordingly.

The city has also developed the DUM 360 application to manage loading and unloading activities. This user-friendly system allows for vehicle registration, selection of a loading zone via an interactive map, viewing of real-time occupancy, and the issuance of a virtual parking ticket valid for 45 minutes.

The platform also includes an advanced space management function, helping to allocate loading areas more effectively across time and location. Monitoring is supported by cameras, and all services are integrated into the app.

Through this initiative, Madrid is taking significant steps to modernise urban freight operations and manage its curbside more efficiently, helping reduce emissions, improve accessibility, and support overall urban mobility goals.

Key takeaways

The webinar concluded with a discussion on the importance of data and digital tools in shaping the future of curbside management. Cities like Madrid, Helsinki, and Los Angeles are responding to the growing pressure on limited public space by digitising their regulations and improving how they communicate them to users.

Participants acknowledged that while digital tools are powerful, successful implementation also depends on clear communication, user compliance, and effective public-private collaboration. Shared challenges, such as enforcement, data collection, and interdepartmental coordination, highlight the need for cities to exchange best practices and co-develop standards.

As demand for curb space continues to increase, and as cities seek to balance the needs of a growing number of users, digital solutions offer a practical path forward. However, these must be supported by strong governance, public engagement, and aligned policy objectives.