Nashville Smart Zones

What is a Smart Zone?

DEDICATED LOADING

Smart Zones are spaces along the curb dedicated to loading and unloading for certain hours of the day.

CONVENIENT

They are clearly marked with signage, and drivers use a mobile app (Coord Driver) to see real-time Smart Zone locations and availability. As they approach their destinations, drivers can hold and then book time in a Smart Zone. Fees apply to use a Smart Zone.

Smart Zone rates and time limits in Nashville are:

$1 per 15 minutes or part thereof. You only pay for the time you use!
2-hour max stay

SAFE

Smart Zones are designed to provide delivery drivers with the information and incentives to load in locations where it is safe and permitted.

Benefits of Smart Zones

Well-managed curb access for delivery vehicle drivers promotes the economic vitality of commercial areas by making it easier for businesses to receive supplies and fulfill customer requests for deliveries, all while improving the experience for customers who visit the area.

EFFICIENCY

Minimize time taken for pick-ups & deliveries by routing to appropriate curb spaces

SAFETY

Reduce incidence of safety and congestion hazards (e.g., double parking) by using designated loading zones

COMPLIANCE

Reduce tickets and tows by parking and loading legally

How to use a Smart Zone

1. Get the Coord Driver App

Download the Coord Driver App for iPhone or Android here.

2. Sign up & create an account

Provide license plate number and other key info. If you're part of a fleet that's signed up, your license plate number will automatically link you with them.

3. Find & select a Zone

View Zone locations and availability. Enter your destination address or just tap on the desired Smart Zone near your destination. Select "Go Here" to route to zone.

4. Route to Zone

When you're a half mile away, the system automatically places a hold on the Zone you selected. The timer shows how long your hold will last.

5. Start Session

Confirm your arrival at the Smart Zone by tapping "Start Session." Even without a hold, if the Zone is available in the app, just start your session with one tap.

6. End & Pay For Session

When you're done using the Zone, select "End Session." You (or your fleet) will be charged for the number of minutes actually used.

If your space is taken...

It shouldn't happen often, but there may be times when the Smart Zone you booked is full when you arrive.

You can select "Alert Enforcement." The app will notify enforcement, cancel your previous hold, and show you all nearby available Smart Zones.

Getting started

I run a business or oversee a fleet of vehicles that serves Nashville. How do I get involved in this program?

Go here to register your fleet, enter in the license plates associated with your your fleet, and add payment information.

Drivers will be automatically linked to your fleet if they enter in one of your pre-approved license plate numbers in Coord Driver.

If you miss a license plate, you can log in and add it at any time and any driver using it will be linked to your fleet automatically.

Each driver needs to download the Coord Driver app (for iPhone or Android devices) and create a unique driver account to get started.

I am a driver and do deliveries as part of my profession. How do I get access to Smart Zones in Nashville?

Are you part of a fleet and will your fleet be paying for your Smart Zone loading activity? If so, have your fleet manager sign up here. Then download the Coord Driver app (for iPhone or Android devices) to get started. You will be automatically linked to your fleet if you enter one of your fleet’s pre-approved license plate numbers in Coord Driver.

If you're an independent driver/contractor, you can download the Coord Driver app here for iPhone or Android.

If you are only using a Smart Zone one time, you can pay on the web here. However, please note there is limited functionality in the web platform (e.g., independent drivers cannot save payment information). For full functionality, download the Coord Driver app.

Can I pay for a Smart Zone on behalf of someone else?

Yes, if as a fleet manager or business you would like to start and pay for a driver’s session, you can access Smart Zones on the web here.

Just like with the Coord Driver app you will need to know the specific Smart Zone you are selecting for use and enter in the driver’s vehicle type, vehicle length (if applicable), license plate, and payment information. Confirm that all the information is entered in correctly so that the driver will be properly booked and not at risk for a citation. Remember to end the driver’s session when they are done using the Smart Zone.

What types of drivers are allowed to use Smart Zones?

Nashville’s Smart Zones are for commercial drivers that are actively loading and unloading goods or picking up or dropping off goods. This program is designed to more efficiently manage space for traditional commercial vehicles and trucks (e.g., beer delivery, grocery delivery, parcel delivery)

Private individuals parking for shopping, visiting a restaurant, or going to work are not allowed to use these zones.

Which license plates do I need to enter at signup—the tractor/cab or the trailer?

You only need to enter the license plate(s) of the tractor/cab when setting up an account.

How can drivers safely use the Coord Driver mobile app?

Safety is a top priority for the program. For this reason, the Coord Driver app has very limited functionality while the vehicle is in motion.

Drivers can still take full advantage of the Smart Zone system without ever touching the phone while driving.

At the beginning of your shift (e.g., at the depot or at home), you should enter your first destination before setting off on your way. The Coord system will automatically hold your selected Smart Zone for you once you’re a half mile from your destination. Once you arrive, pull into the Smart Zone and use a single tap to start your Smart Zone session. Once you’re done with this stop, use a single tap to end your booking and enter your next destination before setting off on your way. The entire process repeats without ever touching Coord Driver while your vehicle is in motion!

Booking a Smart Zone

I want to book a Smart Zone for tomorrow when I plan to do a delivery. Can I make an advance reservation?

Smart Zones are not reservable far in advance, but if during your shift you let the Coord Driver app know where you are headed next, it will reserve a space for you when you’re about a half mile away. This way you’re likely to be able to pull right into an available space without having had to predict a precise arrival time the day before. So, even if you’re a little early or late to your delivery, you don’t have to worry about a reservation you made yesterday.

Not having preset reservations also means you have the flexibility to continue your booking as needed, up to any overall time limit established by the City, because there isn’t another driver who has already reserved the time following your booking. Since sometimes things take longer than expected, this can be a welcome relief!

Do I have to pay to book a Smart Zone?

Yes. The rates for deliveries in Smart Zones are:

$1 per 15 minutes or part thereof. You only pay for the time you use!
2-hour max stay

Please make sure only to use Smart Zones you have booked and not to overstay the maximum time allowed. Doing so means the next driver cannot get the space when he or she needs it and puts you at risk of a citation.

How often am I charged for Smart Zone use?

Independent drivers (i.e., drivers who are not signed up via a fleet’s account) are charged daily. Whether you have one or multiple Smart Zone sessions in a day, there will be a single charge on your card accounting for all time used in Smart Zones that day.

However, you will never be charged until your total reaches $0.50. If in a single day the total you owe for Smart Zone use is less than $0.50, you will not be charged that day. Once you reach $0.50, which may take you multiple days, you will be charged for the entire amount owed. This means a single charge may cover multiple days of Smart Zone use if on previous days your total was less than $0.50.

Fleets are charged at the end of the month for Smart Zone usage by all their linked drivers and vehicles.

Why do I have to pay to use Smart Zones?

You could make the analogy to the paid parking that’s common in many business districts. Cities charge for parking to incentivize its efficient use. Where it’s free, people park all day; where there’s a cost, people more often use what they need and then move along, freeing up space for the next person. Loading zones, the most common form of Smart Zone today, occupy important public space and are really important, so it’s important that they be used efficiently.

Smart Zone payment information helps cities better understand demand for loading at different times of day, on different days of the week, and during different seasons. With this data, cities can then choose to increase or decrease the supply of Smart Zones or increase or decrease prices to provide good availability at any given time of day for drivers. Paid Smart Zones can help reduce the need for double-parking, illegal parking, and circling to find available loading space.

I didn't hold a Smart Zone in advance, but I'm here now and it's empty. I'd like to use the Smart Zone. What do I do?

You are welcome to book a Smart Zone when you arrive instead of on your way. Just make sure to book it using the Coord Driver app.

If you try to book a Smart Zone and it is showing up as unavailable, that is because either (1) another vehicle is already on its way to this Smart Zone and has held it for five minutes using the Coord Driver app, (2) the City has not made the Smart Zone available to the public right now or (3) your vehicle type/size if not eligible for the space per City rules. You can see operating hours for each Smart Zone in the app.

If the zone is unavailable, please use the Coord Driver app to find another available Smart Zone nearby. Using the Smart Zone, without booking via app, puts you at risk of receiving a citation.

I held a Smart Zone, but I’m here now and it’s in use by another vehicle. What do I do?

If you held a zone or if a zone is marked as available but it is full upon arrival, select “Alert Enforcement” in the Coord Driver app so that a notification can be sent to the parking enforcement team.

Then you can use the app to find nearby available Smart Zone locations.

How can I track how much time is left in my booking?

In the app, a countdown clock will show how much time is left before you reach the maximum booking time for a location.

I arrived before the Smart Zone opened. Can I start my booking now?

If you arrive less than 1 hour before a Smart Zone opens and if there aren't any restrictions on commercial loading at that time, you can place a hold on the Zone and begin your delivery or pickup before the Zone is open. When the Zone opens, you will be notified in the app and prompted to start your session.

Remember to start your session in the app, and comply with any other street regulations, so you are not at risk of a citation. You will only be charged for Smart Zone use during hours of operation.

I arrived in a Smart Zone that is closing soon. Can I continue using the zone after Smart Zone hours?

Please comply with regulations for a curb after a Smart Zone closes (e.g., the Smart Zone might turn into a turning lane after certain hours) or you might be at risk for a citation.

If you start a Smart Zone session when there is less time left in hours of operation than in the maximum loading time allotted, you will only be charged for Smart Zone use during hours of operation. For example, if you start a Smart Zone session at 5:30pm in a Zone that ends at 6pm but stay until 7pm, you will only be charged through 6pm regardless if there is a 2-hour time limit.

I drive for a fleet and don’t drive the same vehicle everyday. Can I alternate between multiple license plates when using Coord Driver?

Yes, you can swap license plates between bookings. The first time you open Coord Driver each day you will be prompted to select the license plate you are using that day. You can also change the license plate you are booking with at any time by going to the app menu.

Sign Up For Smart Zones

Load the smart way in Nashville