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Better free parking management coming to Cowes and Wonthaggi

A better way to manage free parking in Cowes and Wonthaggi is on the way.

By news@gippsland - 7th February 2022 - Back to News

Smart Parking decreases the time it takes drivers to find an available parking spot, improves traffic flow and gives better access to businesses. It will also decrease congestion in the two busy precincts. Bass Coast Shire Council has awarded the tender to install 730 sensors to parking management company APARC. The Smart Parking system is expected to be operational before Easter.

The Smart Parking Project will involve the installation of 730 parking bay sensors and be supported by a Smart Parking availability app to help visitors and local residents find a park faster

Improvements to Bass Coast parking

This week, Council staff will be randomly surveying drivers in Cowes to capture the current state of parking, asking how difficult it was to find a car park and the time it took. This data will be compared against responses from a survey carried out after the system has been installed.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan is looking forward to the improvements Smart Parking will bring to Bass Coast. "After seeing how Smart Parking has worked in other towns and cities, I'm excited about the benefits it will bring to Bass Coast."

"There's no doubt that this technology will reduce the amount of circling that drivers do while looking for a car park. This will ease congestion, especially in our busy tourist areas at peak season." Cr Whelan said.

Accessible parking

"We know that customers are influenced by every single experience they have with an area, so even something as simple as finding a carpark more easily may improve their overall impression of their visit. As well as new street signage, a mobile Smart Parking App will help drivers find available parking spots in real-time," Cr Whelan concluded.

The contractor will begin installing small sensors in parking bays in March, with minimal disruption to drivers and businesses. For further information on this project, visit the smart parking website.

Pictures from Bass Coast Shire website.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com