Westminster City Council goes live with Smart Parking’s SmartPark real-time bay sensor parking solution

Westminster City Council has gone live with SmartPark, Smart Parking’s real-time bay sensor parking solution that helps drivers find a space quickly and conveniently. SmartPark is Smart Parking’s integrated package of leading edge technology that provides drivers with real-time information on unoccupied on-street car parking spaces in a city centre. 

The go-live of 3,000 sensors installed at all paid-for and disabled parking bays across the West End in the heart of London represents the world’s largest deployment of this kind of real-time parking technology to date. The area covered by the sensors stretches from south Marylebone across to south Fitzrovia, down through Mayfair to St James’s and across to Soho, Covent Garden and the Strand. The programme follows a successful pilot project in streets including Savile Row, Jermyn Street and St John’s Wood High Street.

A successful review of the 3,000 sensor deployment will then see a second phase of a further 7,000 Smart Parking sensors installed across the rest of Westminster’s on-street parking spaces.

Smart Parking’s SmartPark has already been successfully deployed in Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, South Africa and Europe. Trials are shortly to commence for the London Borough of Barnet and Milton Keynes Council.

SmartPark comprises Smart Parking’s virtually flat, anti-slip profile RFID-equipped SmartEye sensors, which use infrared to detect when a vehicle has occupied a parking space.  Real-time data is then used to re-populate appropriate devices with changes to parking space occupancy on a minute-by-minute basis.

Drivers access a dedicated mobile application via their iPhone or Android device to view a current picture of parking spaces near to them. In the case of Westminster drivers will use its ParkRight app, but other authorities can choose to specify Smart Parking’s own SmartApp solution. Both apps are free to download for iPhone or Android from the Apple App Store or from Google’s Play Store. ParkRight can also connect users to Westminster’s ‘pay-to-park’ service - provided by RingGo – which comes with free confirmation and reminder texts.

Paul Gillespie, Smart Parking’s Group Chief Executive Officer, said he was delighted that SmartPark was now playing a key role in helping to transform the parking experience in Westminster.

“SmartPark is now making it easier for drivers in the heart of London to find a parking space, which means we’re also reducing congestion and cutting vehicle emissions. We’re confident that residents, businesses and visitors to Westminster will have their driving and parking experience transformed in the months and years ahead.”

Councillor Heather Acton, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Parking & Sustainability commented: “Parking bay sensors are a simple concept and, together with the ParkRight app, they will deliver major benefits for people who need to use a car in Westminster - whether visiting, working or living here. Making it easier to find a parking space, and reducing congestion in the process, the sensors are a key investment in Westminster’s commitment to provide ‘fair, easy and safe parking’.” 

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.

www.smartparking.com