Tivoli Smart Zones: New Insights into Data-Driven Curb side Management

Smart Zones can help cities better manage scarce curb side space while supporting efficient and predictable urban deliveries in high‐demand areas.

As part of the EU-funded DISCO project, the City of Copenhagen has explored this question through the implementation of Smart Zones at Tivoli Gardens. Set up as a Living Lab, the project tests how digital tools, real-time data, and new governance approaches can improve the allocation and use of loading and unloading space in a complex and dense urban environment.

Tivoli Gardens is one of Copenhagen’s most iconic destinations  in the city centre and generates a consistently high volume of deliveries. At the same time, a long-running construction project near Tivoli’s logistics entrance has significantly altered delivery routes and reduced available curb side space. This combination made the area a relevant and challenging context for piloting a data-driven approach to urban freight management.

A Living Lab for Urban Freight Innovation

The Smart Zones at Tivoli are part of the broader DISCO project (Data-driven, Integrated, Syncromodal, Collaborative and Optimized urban freight), which runs from May 2023 to October 2026. DISCO brings together cities, research institutions, and industry partners across Europe to test and evaluate digital solutions for urban logistics in real-world settings.

In Copenhagen, two Smart Zones were established close to Tivoli Gardens, specifically targeting delivery drivers serving the area. The zones were designed to test whether digital booking and monitoring tools could increase predictability for drivers, reduce search traffic, and ensure that curb side space is used by the intended users. This will also result in reduced CO2 emissions and increased safety for bikes and pedestrians.

Combining Sensors, Signage, and Digital Booking

Each Smart Zone is equipped with three core components:

  • Sensors installed in the curb side monitor occupancy in real time, providing objective data on usage patterns, dwell times, and peak delivery periods.
  • Physical signage at street level clearly communicates the purpose of the zones, the rules of use, and directs drivers to the booking platform via QR codes.
  • A digital booking application allows delivery drivers to reserve a time slot in advance or check in on location, increasing predictability and supporting more efficient use of curb side space.

Together, these components generate a rich dataset that combines planned use (bookings) with actual use (sensor data), forming the basis for both operational monitoring and evaluation within the Living Lab.

Key Findings from the Proof-of-Value Phase

The pilot started in September 2024 as a proof-of-concept and later transitioned into a proof-of-value phase. Over the course of the project, 160 bookings were recorded across the two Smart Zones.

The data shows a clear difference in usage between the two locations. The Smart Zone located closer to Tivoli’s main entrance was used more than twice as often as the other, highlighting how proximity to key destinations strongly influences the perceived value of curb side space for delivery drivers.

Bookings were most frequent around lunchtime and towards the end of the week, and most deliveries were completed within 15 minutes, although longer bookings also occurred. These insights provide a more nuanced understanding of delivery behaviour in a dense, high-demand area.

Operational Challenges and Adaptation

An interim review in May 2025 identified recurring challenges related to unauthorised use by touring buses. This reduced reliability for delivery drivers and affected trust in the system. Following several rounds of manual enforcement, the frequency of these violations decreased, improving predictability and accessibility of the Smart Zones.

Seasonal patterns also influenced usage. During the summer period, booking activity dropped to near zero. After Tivoli’s reopening for the Halloween season, bookings were initially slow to recover but increased steadily following targeted outreach to shop owners and delivery drivers. And after a information campaign in October 2025, the platform had more users.

Looking Ahead

The Smart Zones at Tivoli Living Lab demonstrates how new digital tools and real-time data can support more transparent and efficient management of curb side space in complex urban settings.

By combining sensor data, booking information, and on-street communication, the project provides actionable insights for the City of Copenhagen and contributes to the broader DISCO objective of enabling data-driven, collaborative urban logistics.

The learnings from the Living Lab will inform future decisions on curb side management, enforcement strategies, and the potential scaling of Smart Zones to other locations in Copenhagen and beyond.