A new smart solution is underway to improve Copenhagen Parking availability. Thousands of small sensors will be installed across the city to help drivers locate open parking spaces using a mobile app.
Thousands of Sensors Approved for Copenhagen Parking
Finding a parking spot in Copenhagen can often be a frustrating experience, especially in the central districts. To address this, the city has approved the installation of 4,500 Copenhagen parking sensors on selected parking spaces throughout the city. These sensors are designed to detect whether a parking spot is occupied and will feed real-time data to a mobile app that shows users where they can find an available space before they even leave home. It should make Copenhagen Parking easier for everyone.
This new initiative was unanimously approved by the city’s Finance Committee and still requires final approval from the City Council. However, local authorities are optimistic that this system will be rolled out within the next year. The project has been allocated a budget of DKK 6 million (approximately $850,000) and will go out to tender later this fall. City officials expect the plan to run smoothly.
How the Technology Works
The small, disk-shaped sensors are Danish-made and will be adhered directly to the asphalt in the center of each marked parking bay. These devices use magnetic fields and wireless signals to identify whether a vehicle is present, updating the app in real time. The goal is to reduce the time drivers spend circling city blocks looking for parking, which contributes to urban congestion and unnecessary emissions.
Prioritizing Specific Groups
While many Copenhagen residents may welcome the new technology, the majority of sensors won’t be available for general use, at least not initially. Of the 4,500 sensors, only 220 will be installed in spaces available to the general public. The remaining sensors will be placed in Copenhagen parking areas reserved for electric vehicles, commercial service vehicles, and drivers with disabilities.
This decision is based on the city’s broader mobility strategy, which prioritizes greener transportation methods and accessibility. Since the 2021 municipal election, around 5,000 regular parking spaces have been repurposed for electric cars, shared car services, businesses, and handicapped use, a shift that has sparked complaints from city-center residents who say that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a place to park.
Pilot Programs Already Underway
The idea isn’t entirely new. This spring, the city launched a two-year pilot program outfitting half of the business-reserved Copenhagen parking spaces with these sensors. The goal was to make it easier for tradespeople and service providers to operate in the city without wasting valuable time on parking.
Encouraged by the early results of that pilot, the city is now expanding the concept to other user groups. The newly approved expansion will allow regular drivers to benefit from the sensor technology via an upcoming mobile application. While the initial availability is limited for general drivers, Copenhagen’s leadership sees this as a stepping stone toward broader implementation in the future.
Planning for the Future
The City of Copenhagen emphasizes that this is part of a long-term digitalization and urban planning strategy. By using smart technologies in traffic and parking management, officials hope to make the city more livable, reduce CO₂ emissions, and better allocate public space.
With about 125,000 municipal parking spaces throughout Copenhagen, the installation of 4,500 sensors represents just under 4% of existing spaces. Still, city officials say that placing them in high-pressure areas, particularly in the medieval Inner City district, could make a significant difference.
What’s Next?
If the initiative passes through the final approval stage, residents can expect the sensor-equipped app to roll out sometime within the next 12 months. Though limited in scope initially, the system holds potential for expansion and could dramatically improve the parking experience in Denmark’s capital – both for private individuals and businesses navigating the complex city streets.
