According to a recent survey Cardiff drivers spend more time finding a space to park than in any other major UK city. The stress this puts on the local area in terms of congestion requires a balanced and intelligent approach to parking and traffic management.
This week sees the installation of 225 Smart Parking RFID-equipped SmartEye vehicle detection sensors, linked via SmartLink data transmitters, in some of Cardiff’s central parking hotspots including West Grove, The Walk, Museum Avenue, North Road, Whitchurch Road, Museum Place, Park Place, Wellfield Road, Albany Road, Severn Road Car Park and Sofia Gardens Car Park (access road to the car park).
Drivers will soon be able to download SmartApp, a dedicated mobile application via their iPhone or Android device to view a current picture of parking spaces near to them. They are then guided to the nearest unoccupied bay. Once parked, the application can also be configured to direct them to pay for parking via an authority’s chosen remote payment solution.
Intelligent Information
SmartRep software collates and analyses live information on how parking space is being used. Accurate vehicle-by-vehicle, minute-by-minute data on actual usage of the city’s facilities gives the council the leading edge in day-to-day management and future planning.
Transforming journeys
Group Chief Executive Officer, Paul Gillespie said that the company was delighted to have secured the contract for the pilot of this technology with Cardiff Council. “Our SmartPark is a tried and tested solution that will make it easier for drivers in Cardiff to find a parking space. Customers are able to make better informed decisions about their parking location and able to change their behaviour and seek parking in less occupied streets close to their desired destination. Not only does this reduce the time taken looking for a parking place, and make parking in Cardiff easier and more convenient improving the customer experience, but it also indirectly helps to reduce congestion and free up space for others. We’re confident that residents, businesses and visitors to the City will have their driving and parking experience transformed in the months and years ahead.”
Making parking easier in the Welsh Capital
Cllr Ramesh Patel, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability at the City of Cardiff Council, said: “Although our priority is to get as many people to use public transport as possible, city centre parking is also important. I am pleased the implementation of the Smart Parking pilot has started and will be fully installed and operational by the end of July. We will work closely with Smart Parking Ltd to launch a public information campaign to get as many people to download the free smartapp on their mobile phone, to make parking in Cardiff easier for everyone. The scheme to be operational by August 2015.”
About Smart Parking
Formed in 1993, Smart Parking is now one of the largest and fastest-growing car parking management companies in the UK. Smart Parking specialises in some of the most technically innovative solutions available in the market and continually leads the way in the development and application of these technologies, which they market under the ‘Smart’ systems brand. They develop industry-leading technology and provide their clients with the very best parking management solutions. Whether you have a large, multi-storey car park, a handful of on-street spaces, an event to marshal or are planning a major car park development, they can help find the smartest solution.