Electronic sensors to alert rangers to over-staying cars as part of northern beaches parking trial
In an effort to give more motorists the chance to park in popular places on the northern beaches, the council is set to install sensors as part of a “smart parking technology” trial
Manly
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Special sensors that can alert council rangers to how long a vehicle has been in a parking spot will be part of a trial of “smart parking systems” on the northern beaches.
The sensors, and other electronic technology that could include cameras, will be trialled at several locations for 12-months as part of moves by Northern Beaches Council to better manage public parking places.
Other councils have been using in-ground sensors placed in parking bays to encourage motorists to comply with time restrictions and improve parking space turnover.
The technology can also provide drivers with information about where spaces are available.
Blue Mountains Council has said its rangers can monitor overstaying vehicles and issue
fines more easily using a sensor system.
Melbourne’s Yarra City Council installs sensors underneath parking bays to detect and record the time a vehicle arrives and departs the bay.
“Parking officers are alerted to overstay vehicles in the area they are working in and can determine if an offence has occurred,” Yarra City said on its website.
But Mayor Michael Regan said smart parking technology would be used on the northern beaches to manage carparking in a “fair and equitable way, taking into consideration the parking needs of local residents, visitors and businesses”.
The council said smart parking systems, “mainly parking sensors” will be located at Pittwater Park carpark, Palm Beach; Park St, Mona Vale, Manly Beach (South Steyne); Darley St carpark at Forestville and the Narrabeen commercial area.
Cr Sarah Grattan, who has pushed for the smart parking trial, said it would help determine what sort of technology works the best and what was acceptable to the community.
“Some of these technologies have been around for 15 years, in some form,” she said.
“Blue Mountains Council saw a drop in parking revenue because people knew that they couldn’t cheat the system.
“But really it’s about service to the community and trying to balance competing interests and demands so we get it right for all our different parts of the community.”
Cr Regan said the council would trial smart parking systems to test a range of technologies.
“With smart parking technology, we will have access to more accurate, real-time information about parking demand, turnover, length of stay and availability.
“Improved parking turnover in commercial and recreational areas increases trade that benefits the local economy and provides parking opportunities for customers and visitors.
“In high demand recreational areas, such as Manly and Pittwater Park at Palm Beach, parking turnover provides everyone an opportunity to use the space and local amenities.”
The council will seek expressions of interest next month from smart parking technology providers to take part in the trial expected to begin early next year.