Rangers to detect parking overstayers online with $800,000 sensors
PARKING sensors alerting rangers via an app the moment a driver has overstayed their limit has been launched in Sydney’s second-largest CBD.
PARKING sensors alerting rangers via an app the moment a driver has overstayed their limit will be installed in the North Sydney Council area in a bid to increase turnover.
The new technology, which was launched today, also detects the exact time a car arrives in a space, meaning motorists will pay from the minute they pull in.
If they stay for longer than permitted it will show up via an app on the ranger’s iPads, who can then easily locate the car to issue a fine.
Drivers will also be stopped from feeding the meter in order to free up spaces.
“This will encourage people not to overstay,” said director of engineering Duncan Mitchell.
“What our businesses and residents want is parking turnover.”
The council has invested $800,000 in the sensors, which cost $400 each. The suppliers contract is not included in this cost.
He pointed out that motorists often take their time before paying at the meter and under the new system this time will be charged for.
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“We know in practice motorists do things like chat on the phone before paying at the meter or pop back to the meter to pay for some extra time,” he said.
“The new system won’t allow motorists to do this, so we want to be absolutely upfront about the changes before they take effect.”
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Mr Mitchell said the technology does not make the rangers redundant and instead saves them time patrolling the streets searching for cars.
“Rangers have to do exactly as before,” he said.
“It makes them more efficient and takes the guess work out of their job.”
The vehicle sensors are being installed in metered parking spaces throughout the North Sydney local government area.
This includes the North Sydney CBD, Crows Nest, Neutral Bay, Kirribilli and Milsons Point.
The NRMA hit out at the council for using the technology to raise revenue.
“North Sydney Council’s parking revenue in 2013/14 was $7.1 million. The NRMA is concerned that this use of technology will increase it significantly,” said NRMA director Tim Trumper.
“Starting the meter immediately discriminates against less mobile motorists and parents with young children who can struggle to get out of the car.
“Technology should be used to help motorists find parking, which reduces congestion – not merely to raise revenue.”
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Mr Mitchell said that he expected the technology would reduce the number of fines because drivers would be less likely to overstay.
The sensors are being rolled out throughout July and are hoped to be in action by the end of the month.
Mayor Jilly Gibson said she hoped the information provided by the system would help the council’s traffic team fine tune parking restrictions in the busiest areas.
“The data from the sensors will allow us to monitor vacancy rates over a period, rather than at one moment in time,” she said.
“This will allow us to manage parking more equitably and will show us the areas where more parking or different time restrictions are needed.”
North Sydney Council said sensors are used by five other NSW council areas and throughout Australia.
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