Smart Parking eases parking woes in New Zealand’s northernmost city

Whangarei is the northernmost city in New Zealand with a population of 56,400. A survey conducted by the council in January 2016, found that locating available parking was among ratepayers' biggest gripes, however the average occupancy of CBD car parks was just at 61 per cent Monday to Saturday and on-street carparks were at 73 per cent occupancy.

Aiming to balance the needs of commuters, shoppers and visitors by allowing them to easily find available spaces as well as increase occupancy in underused car parks, Whangarei District Council has introduced Smart Parking’s SmartCounter technology at 5 of the city’s underused car parks.

• Forum North Car Park (185 bays)
• Laurie Hall Car Park (200 bays)
• Vine Street Car Park (96 bays)
• Central City Car Park (214 bays)
• Water Street Car Park (116 bays)

SmartCounter uses SmartEye sensors to detect vehicles passing through the entrance and the exit of a car park. Parking occupancy is then transmitted in real time to variable message signs allowing drivers to easily identify parking availability at all 5 car parks, increasing customer convenience as well as overall occupancy of the city’s parking facilities.

Occupancy data collected through the sensors is relayed in real time to SmartRep, Smart Parking’s car parking management software tool. Equipped with accurate data on actual usage of the car park, Whangarei District Council are able to accurately plan and manage the car parks to ensure that all available parks are being used to maximum efficiency.

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.