Unlocking Curbside Potential: A Guide for Engineers on Modern Curb Management

As cities grow denser and demand for curbside space rises, the need for efficient, data-driven curbside management has become critical. For engineers working across infrastructure—from transportation and water to land development—this shift opens doors to innovative, integrated solutions. By visualizing, analyzing and monetizing curbside assets, we can alleviate urban congestion and foster a more sustainable urban environment, benefiting residents and local businesses.

In my role as participant on the CDS Data Steering Committee, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges and opportunities cities face in managing their curb assets. Smart cities are harnessing advanced technologies to make curbside spaces more flexible and adaptive, employing tools such as dynamic pricing and real-time data analytics to optimize use based on actual demand.

This article explores how cities are evolving their curbside strategies to keep up with modern demands and why engineers play a pivotal role in turning these plans into action.

The Challenge of Curbside Optimization: Current Trends and Pain Points

The shift toward dynamic curbside management comes with challenges. Engineers now are tasked with helping cities allocate these spaces efficiently, integrating new technologies to address the demands of congestion, traffic flow and safety. Increasingly, urban planners face competing demands from rideshares, delivery vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians and more. Some examples include the following:

• Dynamic Pricing Models. The ability to tailor curbside prices based on demand, while having the ability to optimize based on revenue, duration, usage or other metrics.

• Real-Time Data Analytics. Gathering and analyzing data to identify peak usage times and areas. Many sources for such data exist, but they’re not being used effectively.

• Smart Signage and Adaptive Infrastructure. Using digital signage and adaptive lanes to shift curb usage based on real-time needs.

Many cities see these flashy technologies and solutions and want to adopt them, but it’s on engineers to understand that curbside optimization isn’t “one-size-fits-all” but a complex network of evolving technologies and stakeholder needs. Being able to sort through what makes sense for a city is key to its success.

Collecting and Integrating Curbside Data: Building a Foundation for Smart Management

Before cities can visualize or optimize curbside spaces, they first must establish a detailed inventory of their curb assets and track utilization. Engineers now are tasked with creating comprehensive curbside inventories that catalog each curb segment’s attributes (e.g., location, size, allowable uses, time restrictions, etc.). After this inventory is established, cities can integrate real-time utilization data to better understand when and how these spaces are being used.

Some of the methods for data collection and sources for utilization data are shown in the accompanying figure that can be employed to build up this database:

Developing this comprehensive curbside inventory and tracking utilization requires meticulous data gathering and processing from consultants. Engineers also must address issues such as data standardization, compatibility with existing municipal systems and ensuring ongoing data updates to maintain an accurate picture of curbside assets. Thorough curbside inventories, combined with real-time utilization data, can provide cities with the foundational insights needed for effective visualization and curbside optimization, helping them manage curb spaces dynamically and efficiently.

 

 

Curbside Management Solutions: Leveraging Technology for Better Insight

With a robust database of curbside information, solutions can be deployed to use the data. Engineers are using digital mapping, GIS and other visualization tools to understand curbside usage and availability in real time. Visualizing curbside assets makes it easier for cities to identify high-demand areas, track utilization rates and inform future infrastructure changes. Such information also is helpful in a public forum, highlighting changes and details to councillors, stakeholders, businesses and the public.

Alongside visualization, curbside data can be analyzed to yield actionable insights. Engineers, equipped with these data analytics, can assess peak usage times, the effectiveness of current infrastructure and the economic impact of curbside policies.

For example, data from curbside sensors and cameras can reveal bottlenecks, safety concerns and environmental impacts. Customized dashboards can provide aggregated metrics on occupancy rates, dwell times, number of users and revenue per curb space. This analysis helps cities make data-driven decisions to optimize curb usage, improve safety and potentially increase revenue.

 

 

Monetizing Curbside Assets: From Vision to Revenue Generation

As most engineers know, when talking about technology and solutions with cities, at a certain point, the topic of revenue comes up. Monetizing curbside space is a promising, but delicate, balancing act.

By implementing demand-based pricing or leasing curbside real estate for temporary usage, cities can turn curbsides into revenue streams. However, this shift must consider the impact on community access and affordability. For engineers, this means designing infrastructure that can adapt to monetization without compromising accessibility. Some examples are cited below that highlight ways cities can find ways to generate revenue from their curbsides.

• Dynamic Pricing for On-Demand Curb Use. As mentioned previously, dynamic pricing allows for higher prices during peak times to manage demand. This can be used to better temper peak periods and allocate space, while also generating additional revenue.

• Digital Payment Integration. Simple systems for users to pay for curbside access can enhance user experience while potentially generating revenue. Automated payments or easy-to-use apps can enable other users to pay their share for curbside space.

• Subscription Models for Businesses. Monthly fees for regular curb users (e.g., delivery services), can be another tool used by cities to ensure users are paying for their operations at the curb.

Case Studies: How Cities Are Implementing Curbside Innovations

The work being discussed in this article isn’t hypothetical. Across the United States, forward-thinking cities have begun implementing innovative curbside-management strategies, providing valuable lessons for engineers and urban planners. In cities such as Seattle and New York, engineers have played a central role in deploying solutions that include dynamic pricing, digital signage and adaptive infrastructure to address curbside demands. These case studies showcase how engineers are transforming urban curb spaces into more flexible, efficient and revenue-generating assets, paving the way for smarter, more-sustainable cities. Each example highlights different approaches and technologies, demonstrating how tailored curbside-management solutions can meet the unique needs of various urban landscapes.

Seattle’s Last-Mile Freight Curb Access Project

The city of Seattle is focusing on commercial vehicles and seeking solutions to optimize loading zones spaces, generate revenue and ensure operators are getting the most from these spaces. (bit.ly/427oSLm)

New York City’s Curbside Data Management Program

NYC is taking a more holistic approach, overhauling the curbside in a pilot area on the west side of Manhattan, providing a wide range of curbside uses and monitoring their results. (bit.ly/4hWZptV)

Arlington County’s Performance Parking System

Arlington County is optimizing its curbside with a Performance Parking System that adjusts rates based on real-time demand. This approach ensures parking availability, reduces congestion and maximizes revenue. Utilizing sensor data and dynamic pricing, the system enhances efficiency and guides future infrastructure planning. (bit.ly/4cellQ5)

The Engineer’s Role in Shaping Smart Curbside Management

Curbside management is inherently interdisciplinary, relying on collaboration across departments and expertise in data analysis, urban planning and civil engineering. Engineers are essential to these developments, from deploying hardware that collects curbside data to designing flexible curb spaces that respond to changing demands. Cities look to expert engineers to help make lasting decisions that will affect the curbside and how people interact with it for years to come. This ranges from infrastructure design to integrating other uses and sustainability planning for the future.

As cities continue to grow, the demand for efficient curbside management will only increase. By adopting the latest in data-driven visualization, analysis and monetization, engineers can help shape a curbside future that balances technological innovation with public accessibility. The future of curbside management lies in making these spaces adaptable, user-friendly and beneficial for all stakeholders.

For civil and structural engineers, now’s the time to embrace new technologies in curbside management. These innovations not only offer solutions to today’s urban challenges but also pave the way for smarter, more-sustainable cities.