Milton Keynes Council secures Phase II of SmartPark trial

In February 2015, we were proud to announce the launch of Smart Parking's SmartPark solution in Milton Keynes with the installation of 300 SmartEye sensors in the city’s B4-1 Car Park on South Second Street.

The deployment allows car park users to enter the barrier less car park, pay and walk away with no need to return to their vehicle to display a ticket. Users can also download the SmartApp smart phone guidance application to search for parking availability in real-time. 

Parking made easier

Since the launch the technology has encouraged drivers to use limited parking spaces more effectively and provided the council with the information to better understand how those spaces are being used. The success of Phase I has led to Milton Keynes Council expanding the trial with the implementation of a further 200 sensors.

The main requirements of this project are driven by the Council’s greater need to monitor usage, increase the use of under-utilised bays and to provide accurate real-time parking occupancy to drivers in key on-street locations.

After a rigorous tender process, Milton Keynes Council awarded Smart Parking with Phase II of the trial. Phase II, due to be launched in September 2015 will see SmartEye sensors installed directly in front of the Council Offices and off Saxon Gate and Silbury Boulevard as well as in parking areas either side of Midsummer Boulevard to the North West of Lower Twelfth Street and in proximity to John Lewis, the Post Office and the Food Court.

Councillor Matt Clifton, Cabinet Member responsible for Transport Strategy in Milton Keynes, said: "It is great that Milton Keynes is expanding its sensor network for parking – and the extra 200 sensors will make it easier for employees to park in CMK. This confirms that MK is becoming Britain's leading Smart City."

UK Sales Manager, Jules Hollows said “We were up against strong competition and are delighted to have won this formal tender to expand the parking bay sensor trial within one of the UK’s largest Smart Cities. The data that can be extracted from Smart Parking’s on-line reporting system SmartRep will help Milton Keynes to understand their customer’s even further and in-turn support the Council’s parking management and transport strategies.”

So far so good

Since its initial deployment in February Milton Keynes have used SmartRep to monitor usage and parking occupancy data. Key highlights from the deployment to date include: 

• 59,444 vehicle movements captured
• Average stay in  the car park is 4 hours, 36 minutes
• Average occupancy showing heavy bias towards week day ‘office hours’ with an average occupancy rate of 86.9% Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m. and 8.9% after 6 p.m.
• Full integration with Pay & Display machines on site giving Milton Keynes Council the ability to monitor enforcement efficiencies should they need to.  

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 solutions available in 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.

Milton Keynes is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK. Joining forces with The Open University, Connected Digital Economy Catapult, Future Cities Catapult, and other partners, Milton Keynes Council formed a Smart City collaboration – MK: Smart. MK:Smart rises to the challenges of supporting sustainable growth and whilst meeting key carbon reduction targets improving the quality of life for its citizens.

www.smartparking.com