By Jade Neville
If you’d told me, back when I first started in parking enforcement, that one day I’d be advocating for international data standards, I probably would’ve asked what a data standard was. I definitely wouldn’t have guessed it’d be the thing that helps transform how cities manage mobility.
And yet, here we are.
Because when we talk about parking systems that actually work for users, local authorities, and technology providers alike, it all comes back to one thing — speaking a common language. That’s where the Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS) comes in.
One standard, many wins
Created in 2018 by three global bodies — the British Parking Association (BPA), the European Parking Association (EPA), and the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) — APDS was designed to be just that: a shared standard for how parking and mobility data is structured, exchanged, and understood.
It’s now recognised as an ISO Technical Specification (ISO/TS 5206-1), giving it both international credibility and technical rigor. But more importantly, it’s already being put into practice, with tangible results.
The National Parking Platform: standards in action
Take the U.K.’s National Parking Platform (NPP).
Funded by industry and built entirely on the APDS data model, the NPP is a prime example of how adopting open standards can lead to smarter, more joined-up mobility services. It enables local authorities and private operators to share real-time parking data, such as availability, prices, and restrictions, via a single interface.
The result?
• Drivers can use their preferred parking app across multiple locations.
• Vendors integrate once, then scale easily into new regions.
• Local authorities reduce duplication, unlock richer data for decision-making, and deliver better services to the public.
This isn’t theoretical. It’s live, working, and growing, with dozens of U.K. councils already onboard.
Why authorities should mandate APDS
Here’s the crux: If you’re a local authority writing a new parking procurement specification, APDS should already be in it.
Why? Because building around an open, international standard gives you flexibility, not dependency. It avoids lock-in, reduces future integration costs, and creates a foundation for truly interoperable services. You’re no longer starting from scratch with every new provider or system upgrade.
Instead, you’re building a sustainable infrastructure, one that supports long-term innovation, data insight, and efficiency.
Why vendors should build with APDS
If you’re a solution provider, APDS isn’t just a technical standard — it’s a commercial opportunity.
By aligning your systems with APDS, you’re future-proofing your platform. You can scale more easily across regions, reduce custom development work, and respond faster to tenders that now increasingly require standards-based compliance.
It’s not just about ticking a box. It’s about being able to deploy your solution in multiple cities without needing a complete rebuild each time. That’s where you save time, resource, and money and position yourself as a leader in an increasingly competitive field.
A shared language for smarter mobility
The beauty of APDS is that it’s not just made for vendors or for authorities: It was built with both in mind. Its structure supports everything from parking inventory and enforcement to payment and permits. Because it’s an open, collaborative standard, it continues to evolve with input from around the world.
Mobility is becoming more connected, more digital, and more integrated by the day. The only way to keep up — and more importantly, lead — is to adopt shared frameworks like APDS that enable your systems to speak to others, right out of the box.
Final word: make APDS part of your strategy
Here’s the call to action for both sides of the Atlantic:
• If you’re a local authority: Embed APDS into your procurement criteria. Ask for it. Require it. It’s the fastest way to reduce fragmentation and build more agile, responsive parking services.
• If you’re a vendor: Invest in APDS integration. Make it part of your product roadmap — not just to win contracts, but to deliver better, more scalable solutions.
For everyone, take advantage of the APDS training available. The more your teams understand the standard, the more effectively you can implement and benefit from it.
Because this isn’t just about data: It’s about designing better systems, for the people who use them every day.
Let’s build smarter, together.
JADE NEVILLE is a director for the Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS), technology representative on the Council of Representatives at the British Parking Association, and the sales operations and marketing manager for Trellint.
