Redefining Urban Parking: The PARQ Case Study
Drivers waste valuable time searching for parking, while owners struggle to manage their spaces efficiently. PARQ bridges this gap with a smart, centralized solution.
About the project
PARQ was created to simplify parking in Kyiv by connecting drivers with parking space owners through a centralized platform. Finding long-term parking is often frustrating, relying on street signs, announcements, or WhatsApp groups. Our goal is to replace these outdated methods with an intuitive mobile app that saves time and streamlines the process. With quick access, a user-friendly interface, and personalized features, PARQ offers a smarter, more convenient alternative to existing options.
Problem Definition
1
Time-consuming search
Finding parking, especially in crowded areas, is inefficient and frustrating.
2
No centralized system
Drivers lack a single platform with real-time availability, pricing, and features.
3
Management challenges
Parking owners struggle to optimize and monetize their spaces effectively.
4
Outdated methods
Street signs and chat groups are unreliable, leading to confusion and missed opportunities
Tasks
PARQ set out to transform the parking experience by focusing on four key goals:
Timeline
Discovery
Introduction
During the Discovery phase, we conducted in-depth research to understand the challenges faced by both drivers and parking space owners. Through interviews, market analysis, and competitor research, we not only validated our hypotheses but also uncovered real user pain points. This process shaped a clear product vision and laid a strong foundation for development.
Client Interview
We began by interviewing the client to align on their product vision and business objectives. Their goal was to create a user-friendly, tech-driven solution that simplifies parking in Kyiv—making it fast, transparent, and secure.
Three key requirements emerged:
Intelligent Search – Automatic location detection with recommendations, even when no spots are currently available.
Personalized Experience – Customizable filters, saved preferences, and parking management across districts.
Transparency & Security – Verified locations, cashless payments, and clear availability details.
These principles guided our approach throughout development.
Competitor Review
Currently, no single solution fully meets drivers' needs for finding, booking, and paying for parking. Existing options—such as OLX listings, Kyiv Digital searches, and local chat discussions—offer only fragmented solutions. Users lack an all-in-one platform to track, pay for, and extend their parking seamlessly.
To refine our strategy, we conducted a competitive analysis, identifying key gaps and opportunities.
This analysis underscores the limitations of existing solutions and reinforces the need for a fully integrated, user-focused parking service. By combining intelligent search, seamless booking, secure payments, and transparency, PARQ aims to deliver a frictionless parking experience that meets users' real needs.
User Interviews
To ensure meaningful insights, we first defined respondent profiles that best represent our target audience. By creating detailed user personas, we ensured our interviews captured the most relevant perspectives and pain points, laying the groundwork for a user-centric solution.
We recruited respondents through social media, automotive communities, and parking areas in both residential and commercial districts.
We conducted five in-depth interviews, capturing over five hours of video for analysis. This research provided deep insights into user behaviors, pain points, and expectations. By identifying recurring patterns and key concerns, we formulated hypotheses to refine the user experience and address the most pressing needs. These insights became the foundation for informed design decisions and feature prioritization.
Hypothesis
Problems with Parking Space Shortage
User Problem
Residents of Kyiv’s suburban districts struggle to find nearby parking due to a limited number of available spaces and the absence of a centralized booking service.
Hypothesis
We believe that creating a platform with search and filtering options, booking features, and long-term parking rental will help residents address the parking shortage near their homes.
Expected Outcome
Residents will choose our platform as their primary tool for finding parking.
The number of long-term bookings in suburban districts will increase.
Success Criteria
50%+ of users confirm that the service helped them find a parking spot.
30%+ of suburban residents express willingness to use the platform for long-term parking.
Interactive Map with Filters and Real-Time AvailabilityUser Problem
User Problem
Users struggle to navigate available parking options in their area due to the lack of centralized information on availability, security, pricing, and parking types (open/covered).
Hypothesis
We believe that an interactive map displaying real-time parking availability, along with filters for security, price, and type, will enhance the search experience and increase user engagement with the service.
Expected Outcome
Users will rely on the map as their primary tool for finding parking.
Search and booking times will decrease, ensuring quick access to relevant information.
Success Criteria
60% of users will regularly use the map to find parking.
50% of users will consider real-time availability and filtering essential factors in choosing the service.
Parking Security
User Problem
Residents of apartment buildings often feel unsafe leaving their cars in parking areas due to poor lighting, lack of security, or absence of surveillance cameras. This lowers trust in parking services.
Hypothesis
We believe that adding security details—such as surveillance cameras, lighting, and on-site security—for each parking spot in the app will increase user confidence and encourage them to choose PARQ.
Expected Outcome
Security features will become a key factor in user decision-making (measurable through interviews and surveys).
The feature will attract users who previously hesitated due to safety concerns.
Success Criteria
60-70% of surveyed residents will confirm that security information is crucial when choosing a parking spot.
The feature will generate interest among potential partners, such as residential complexes and parking operators.
Smart Notifications for Available Parking Spots
User Problem
Due to high competition, users often struggle to find an available parking spot in time. The lack of real-time updates on newly vacated spaces increases their search time.
Hypothesis
We believe that implementing smart notifications, which alert users in real-time about newly available parking spots, will reduce search time and improve user satisfaction with the service.
Expected Outcome
Users will book parking spots more frequently due to instant updates.
The number of active users returning to the platform will increase.
Success Criteria
70% of users will confirm that notifications helped them find a spot faster.
40% of users will enable and regularly use smart notifications.
Customer Journey Map
Wireframes
Testing
In the final stage, we tested the interactive prototype with real users, identifying and implementing key improvements to enhance the mobile app experience:
Optimized parking duration selection – Users found this step confusing, so we redesigned the flow for a more intuitive and seamless experience.
Streamlined parking lot card – The original design had too many details, making it overwhelming. We simplified it to display only essential information: address, Google Maps link, and pricing.
Added a booking summary screen – Users needed a clear breakdown of costs and reservation details before confirmation. We introduced a summary screen to improve transparency and allow last-minute adjustments.
UI Designs
Get to Know PARQ in Seconds
While our priority is enabling users to quickly start searching for parking, we also recognize the value of onboarding. That’s why we’ve designed a brief introduction to highlight PARQ’s key features without slowing users down.
Parking Search & Filtering
First, users grant location access or enter a search query to find parking in their desired area. With advanced filters, they can quickly refine their options and choose the best spot—whether through an interactive map or a streamlined list view.
Selecting & Booking a Parking Spot
Users can choose their preferred parking duration, enter their vehicle details, and complete a secure payment in just a few clicks. The streamlined process ensures quick and hassle-free booking.
Profile & Settings Management
The personal dashboard makes it easy to add vehicles, manage payment methods, and customize notifications. This ensures a seamless, personalized experience tailored to each user’s needs.
Summary
The product has now entered the development phase.
Expected Outcomes After Launch
With an optimized user flow and simplified key screens, we anticipate:
10-15% increase in conversion rate – A more streamlined booking process will encourage more users to complete reservations.
30-40% reduction in booking time – Fewer steps will make reservations faster and more user-friendly.
25-30% decrease in search time – Google Maps integration will help users find available parking spots more efficiently.
20% fewer incorrect reservations – A booking summary screen will minimize errors and improve transparency.
These improvements aim to enhance user satisfaction, simplify the parking experience, and drive long-term engagement.
