Smart Parking has arrived in Mosman

Mosman motorists are now able to locate available parking within the main shopping precinct of Mosman and Spit Junction through the newly launched SmartPark solution.

The challenge

Mosman Council is committed to ensuring the Mosman local government area remains a desirable place for both residents and visitors to enjoy, both now and into the future. As part of this commitment there are a number of innovative projects that are being rolled out across the suburb many of which relate to improving the general amenity of the locality. These projects variously reflect detailed strategic studies, ongoing community engagement and Mosman’s long term Community Strategic Plan - MOSPLAN.

Traffic and parking feature strongly in the minds of residents and local business owners. They have consistently rated in the “Top 3” issues for Mosman residents in four consecutive biennial surveys. In the most recent survey, conducted in April 2016, 33% of respondents identified traffic and parking collectively as the major local issue facing Mosman over the next 5-10 years.

To address local concerns a comprehensive parking study was commissioned by Council in 2015. The Mosman Parking Strategy, developed by Parking & Traffic Consultants, identifies key outcomes across a number of areas which include:

• Better management of existing spaces
• Improvements to timed restrictions
• Provision of equitable access for all user groups
• Improvements to signage and wayfinding
• Updates to parking safety and amenity
• Enforcement policy
• Paid parking opportunities
• Increases in sustainable and non-car trips

Council is invested in using the latest technology to help solve current parking issues. One of its – most recent innovations has been the introduction of Smart Parking technology.

Our solution

The Smart Parking deployment sees the installation of 158 on-street parking bay sensors, 215 off-street parking bay sensors, 509 overhead guidance indicators in 3 multistorey carparks, 49 LED parking availability signs and plinths and the introduction of the 'Park Mosman' parking availability App for mobile phones and tablets.

The new technology now means residents and other motorists can easily check availability for Vista Street, Bridgepoint, Marque, Mosman Square, Raglan Street East and Raglan Street West car parks and on-street parking in Military Road and adjoining streets before they even leave home.

By introducing smart parking technology Mosman Council is aiming to:

• Improve the parking user experience for free and paid parking, both on and off-street;
• Decrease user travel times and time spent ‘circling’ for parking and congestion in Mosman and reducing user carbon footprint through reduced emissions;
• Improve user compliance and parking enforcement efficiency;
• Improve access to local businesses.

The benefits

Less clutter

Mosman Council has developed new city-wide signage and wayfinding strategies to improve general visual amenity, reduce unnecessary signage clutter and provide better outcomes for traffic, directional, informational, regulatory, and locality signage. Stylish and easy-to-read signage form part of the roll out of the new Smart Parking technologies in recently upgraded car parks.

Since the Visual Amenity committee was established, key outcomes have included the removal of unnecessary signs in Mosman, replacing No Stopping signs with yellow lines, a recommendation to RMS to simplify parking signs using a bold ‘time block’ model, as well as signage brand and style guidelines. Surplus road signs have been removed from streets, public reserves and car parks, including more than 40 signs from a single car park - less clutter and clearer messaging have resulted in less confusion and frustration for motorists.

Improved customer service

The roll-out of the Smart Parking system is allowing for real-time data to be captured through sensors that feed into the parking guidance app (Park Mosman) and intelligent traffic signs at some of Mosman’s central car parks, showing real-time availability in the motorist’s desired location. Inside the car parks, overhead green and red LED lights indicate available spaces for motorists.

Park Mosman provides drivers with instant parking availability, free of charge. It allows them to make better informed decisions about their parking location, change their behaviour and seek parking in less occupied streets/car parks close to their desired destination.

Not only does this reduce the time taken in parking, and make parking in Mosman easier and more convenient improving the customer experience, it also indirectly helps to reduce congestion and free up parking spaces.

Overhead guidance

The introduction of dynamic parking availability, wayfinding signs and convenient overhead guidance at 3 of Mosman’s busiest car parks means that drivers can now find a parking space more quickly and easily. Congestion caused by visitors driving around, looking for a space is now minimised. The traffic flows more efficiently and customers are less stressed and more satisfied with their overall experience of parking in Mosman.

At busy periods, car park space use is maximised as the signage and technology help ensure that visitors are alerted to all available spaces.

To date, the customer feedback for the application has been positive.

About Smart Parking

Formed in 1993, Smart Parking is now one of the largest and fastest-growing bay sensor technology companies in the world. Smart Parking specialises in some of the most technically innovative real-world solutions available within the market and continually leads the way in the development and application of these technologies, under the 'Smart' systems brand. They develop industry-leading technology and provide their clients with the very best parking management solutions.