Beam Mobility tests virtual parking system in Gangnam, Daegu, cuts complaints 61%

The Beam Mobility app screen near Yeoksam Station after the implementation of the PM virtual designated parking system./Courtesy of Beam Mobility

Beam Mobility announced on the 21st that the compliance rate for the personal mobility (PM) virtual designated parking system, piloted in Gangnam District, Seoul, and Daegu, reached a peak of 85%, and parking complaints decreased by up to 61%.

The PM virtual designated parking system is a system that utilizes GPS technology and applications to guide users to end their use only in designated virtual parking areas. The company explained that this system is expected to reduce complaints and increase pedestrian safety while cutting down on the expenses of building physical parking infrastructure. Beam Mobility began piloting this system in Gangnam District and Daegu at the end of last year.

In Gangnam District, parking complaints decreased by 61.3% within about a month after implementation, and it was found that 56% of all usage cases involved users attempting to park in improper zones before moving to the correct zone to complete their parking. Additionally, parking was restricted in areas such as crosswalks, tactile paving, and subway entrances that could threaten pedestrian safety, thereby increasing the compliance rate with parking regulations.

Daegu is gaining attention as the first case of introducing a virtual designated parking system in collaboration with the PM industry and local governments. As a result of cooperation among Daegu City Hall, Beam Mobility, Sing Sing, and Alpaca, the highest parking compliance rate recorded was 85%. The number of parking violations, which was around 800 during the first week of operation, fell to 163 after three months, showing an approximately 80% decrease.

Based on the results in Gangnam District and Daegu, Beam Mobility plans to expand the PM virtual designated parking system nationwide. They have prioritized implementation in areas with a high potential for complaints by analyzing region-specific data. The focus will be on increasing citizen convenience and safety through tailored solutions that reflect resident feedback.

Deb Gangopadhyay, CEO of Beam Mobility, said, “This pilot operation of the PM virtual designated parking system has become an important turning point in solving PM parking issues and ensuring pedestrian safety,” adding, “As designated parking rules become more familiar to users, we expect a further decrease in complaints and an improvement in parking compliance rates.”