A better way to manage free parking in Cowes and Wonthaggi is on the way.
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.
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,” Cr Whelan said.
“There’s no doubt that this technology will reduce the amount of circling that drivers do while looking for car park. This will ease congestion, especially in our busy tourist areas at peak season.
“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.
