By Jade Neville

Since joining the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS), I’ve had the chance to speak with professionals across the U.S. and Europe. I’ve noticed a common misunderstanding: Especially in North America, some think that the Open Mobility Foundation’s Curb Data Specification (CDS) is the “American” parking standard, and that the standard developed by APDS is something separate and mainly for Europe.

That’s not right, and it’s causing unnecessary hesitation regarding parking standards adoption. The APDS and CDS aren’t in competition. In fact, they complement each other well. When used together, they give cities, vendors, and mobility providers a more complete view, one that supports long-term planning and the real-time responsiveness our transport systems increasingly demand.

Two standards, one shared goal

APDS was created in 2018 by three major organizations: the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI), the British Parking Association (BPA), and the European Parking Association (EPA). It’s designed to be a common language for parking and mobility, covering everything from garages and street parking to permits, pricing, and enforcement.

It’s since been published by the International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, as ISO/TS 5206-1, “Intelligent Transport Systems — Parking — Part 1: Core Data Model.” Its status as an ISO technical specification gives it international credibility and long-term stability. But what makes APDS especially valuable is its flexibility. Whether you’re running a city-wide parking network, integrating with mobility apps, or planning future transport strategy, APDS provides the structure to help everything fit together.

What CDS brings to the table 

CDS, on the other hand, was launched in 2022 by the Open Mobility Foundation (OMF) and is laser-focused on a specific challenge — managing the curb. It helps cities define curb rules and track occupancy in real-time, which is a game changer when it comes to ride-hailing, delivery vehicles, and micro-mobility.

As urban areas deal with congestion, emissions, and the rapid growth of on-demand services, the curb has become a critical piece of the puzzle. CDS helps cities make the most of that limited space, reacting quickly and efficiently to ever-changing needs.

Why it’s not either/or

Think of APDS as the full toolbox covering everything related to parking and mobility infrastructure. Now think of CDS as one of the specialist tools in that box, designed for curbside management with precision and speed.

They’re not competing. They’re designed to work together. Using both doesn’t duplicate effort; it makes systems stronger and more responsive. It’s like asking carpenters to choose between a hammer and a screwdriver — they really need both to do the job properly.

Built for everyone, everywhere

Sometimes people see APDS as more international because of its ISO status and the fact that it’s governed across several regions. But here’s the thing: APDS was co-founded by IPMI, one of the biggest U.S. parking organisations, and has been shaped by American experts and cities all along.

At the same time, CDS, though born in the U.S., is open-source and already attracting global interest. In today’s world, where vehicles, apps, and mobility networks operate across borders, it doesn’t matter where a standard originates. What matters is whether it helps systems connect and scale.

Mobility is global by nature. Our tools and standards need to match that.

Real-world application: the UK’s National Parking Platform

The National Parking Platform (NPP) in the U.K. provides a leading example of how open standards can be applied in practice. Funded directly by the parking industry, the NPP enables local authorities and private operators to share real-time parking data — such as availability, pricing, and timings — via a single, open, and standardized interface built entirely on the APDS framework. This industry-led initiative promotes interoperability, supports innovation, and helps create a more integrated, efficient mobility ecosystem.

Drivers can pay for parking in multiple locations through a single app of choice, making parking simpler and more user-friendly.  Vendors can integrate once and scale across different regions, saving time and development costs. Cities get easier integration, better service delivery, and stronger data for policymaking.

But here’s where it gets even more exciting: The NPP doesn’t just handle traditional parking data. It’s also exploring opportunities to include curbside information like loading zones and time restrictions.

Now imagine if we added real-time curb data from CDS on top of this. A delivery driver could check if a loading bay is actually available right now. A ride-hailing company could route cars dynamically based on live curb conditions. That kind of intelligence takes a static system and turns it into a responsive, adaptive platform.

By combining CDS with the foundation of APDS, the NPP could become one of the smartest mobility platforms around.

Why do both standards matter? 

Each one has a specific role:

• APDS gives a consistent, open framework to manage the whole parking and mobility ecosystem.

• CDS lets cities act quickly and efficiently in real time at the curbside.

They don’t overlap; they support each other. In fact, OMF openly encourages this dual approach: CDS for managing the curb, and APDS for everything else. When used together, they enable us to build digital mobility systems without starting from scratch every time.

The takeaway: better together 

By using APDS and CDS side by side, cities, operators, and solution providers can:

• See the full picture, from garages to curbs

• Plan better and manage congestion more effectively

• Integrate new technologies faster

Cut costs and reduce duplicated effort

It’s not about picking one over the other. It’s about making the most of both. When we combine their strengths, we can create mobility systems that are smarter, more scalable, and better for everyone who uses them.

Let’s keep the conversation going

Both APDS and CDS are open, collaborative standards — and there’s room for everyone at the table. Whether you’re building tech, shaping policy, or delivering services on the ground, your insights matter.

Let’s work together to shape the future of parking and mobility in a way that’s connected, inclusive, and ready for what’s next.

JADE NEVILLE is the sales operations and marketing manager for Trellint, a co-founder of Women in Parking UK, and a former president of the British Parking Association. She can be reached at [email protected].