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Smart City Planning – Combining Wayfinding Signage with Parking Technology at the Precinct Level

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Smart City Planning – Combining Wayfinding Signage with Parking Technology at the Precinct Level

Precinct level parking solutions are increasingly becoming an integral part of smart city planning.

With clusters of parking options in busy city centre or shopping and entertainment precincts, managing traffic flow at key ‘last mile’ decision points is critical to the reduction of congestion.

Whether parking facilities are utilising area count or per-bay parking guidance solutions, data collected from various sensors and sites can be consolidated and analysed in real time.

The advantage of incorporating precinct level wayfinding signage is that data from multiple parking assets, both council and commercially operated; on-and off-street; can be combined and displayed to drivers. In doing so, the driving public are delivered the benefit of real-time parking availability information in the last few minutes of their journey. This helps each individual to make informed decisions about which direction to turn and with the further community benefit of helping to alleviate traffic congestion during peak periods.

Consider Sydney’s ICC Darling Harbour precinct, home to a convention centre, a casino, multiple hotels and restaurants, a shopping area and various tourist attractions. In addition, it hosts public events and celebrations throughout the year. Utilising a precinct level solution that pulls parking availability data from several separate parking facilities, the highly visible parking wayfinding signs are located above two major access roads, allowing drivers to decide which direction to head according to parking availability. Not only does this assist traffic flow during busy periods, but it also contributes to an improved visitor experience

Consider Sydney’s ICC Darling Harbour precinct, home to a convention centre, a casino, multiple hotels and restaurants, a shopping area and various tourist attractions. In addition, it hosts public events and celebrations throughout the year. Utilising a precinct level solution that pulls parking availability data from several separate parking facilities, the highly visible parking wayfinding signs are located above two major access roads, allowing drivers to decide which direction to head according to parking availability. Not only does this assist traffic flow during busy periods, but it also contributes to an improved visitor experience

Similarly, local councils across the country such as: City of Darwin, Waverley in Sydney’s east, City of Launceston, Bayside in Melbourne’s south and several others are turning to smart, precinct level solutions that direct drivers to parking facilities that are within walking distance of main shopping thoroughfares, beaches and eateries. This use of technology ensures a quality experience for locals and visitors alike and assists in the reduction of congestion and CO2 emissions, lowering car park complaints and incident reports.

By utilising cloud-based, wireless and solar technologies, precinct level parking solutions are a smart, green solution for cities that is also dependable, accurate and extendible for future needs.

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How do car park area counting solutions work?

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How do car park area counting solutions work?

Car park area counting solutions use technology to manage and optimise parking facilities that are usually large and, more often than not, outdoors.

Area counting solutions are a cost-effective way of counting the number of vehicles entering and exiting a parking area. An assessment of available structure will be required to determine the best technology to use, but options include: laser, magnetic resonance or camera sensors. The data generated provides insights into utilisation of the parking facility over time and can allow real time parking availability information to be communicated to drivers.

Typically, a car park area count solution makes use of sensors installed at entry and exit points of the car park, either embedded in the ground – in the case magnetic resonance sensors – or mounted horizontally or overhead, in the case of laser or camera sensors.

Each of the three sensor types can be used as a standalone solution, or as a component of a larger parking guidance solution monitoring multiple areas. Each of the sensor types will better suit certain environments. Site-specific factors along with experience and knowledge of the capabilities of the sensors will help determine the best technology to use.

When in place, the sensors continuously collect data from the entry and exit points which is then transmitted to a central processing unit or software system that keeps track of vehicle movements and maintains knowledge of the number of available parking spaces in real-time.

Signage is placed at strategic locations within a parking facility, usually at entrances and decision points, to indicate key pieces of information such as the number of available spaces overall and, in some cases, in a given sub-area of the parking facility.

Some area count solutions will integrate with mobile apps or websites, allowing drivers to check parking availability remotely before arriving at their destination.

In today’s increasingly smart cities, area counting systems play a crucial role in parking management, by helping to alleviate congestion, improve efficiency and traffic flow and enhance the overall parking experience – all on a relatively low budget.

There are conflicting opinions on the efficacy of some counting sensors, however in our experience it is less to do with the hardware and more to do with the sensitivity of the software analysing vehicle movement. Accurate area counting is both possible and cost effective.

For site tours or advice customised for your individual parking assets, talk to one of our experienced team today.

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Solar powered way finding signage

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Solar powered way finding signage

As a leader in green initiatives in the parking technology space, Park Agility have implemented a number of projects incorporating solar powered wayfinding signage as part of a parking management solution.

Solar powered way finding signage is an ideal solution where traditional infrastructure is either not available or cost prohibitive and it works by mounting a solar panel on top of the sign to capture sunlight and convert it into electrical energy which is stored in a battery within the sign. The battery then powers the electrical components of the sign, which includes what drivers can see – the LED lights that provide real time availability and directional information – as well as communication devices which send real time data to management teams for optimisation and reporting.

There are several benefits to opting for a solar-powered solution including;

1. Energy Efficiency: Solar-powered wayfinding signage operates on renewable energy, which reduces reliance on traditional electricity sources. It is a particularly useful solution for outdoor signage that needs to be illuminated 24/7, as it can consume a lot of energy.

2. Cost Effective: Solar-powered wayfinding signage is less costly (in terms of both time and money) to install than signs that require connection to existing electrical infrastructure. They also enjoy reduced ongoing energy costs which can result in significant cost savings over the life of the signage.

3. Flexible: Solar-powered wayfinding signage can be installed in remote locations where it may be difficult or expensive to connect to the power grid.

4. Durable: Solar-powered wayfinding signage is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, and moisture which makes it a reliable and durable option.

5. Eco-Friendly: Using solar-powered wayfinding signage is an environmentally friendly option, as it reduces the carbon footprint associated with traditional electricity sources. This can help organizations demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and environmentally responsible practices.

Coupled with Park Agility’s ongoing maintenance services, incorporating solar powered signage into a parking management project is a win-win for organisations and smart cities looking to demonstrate their green credentials to stakeholders and the driving public.

Talk to us today for trusted advice, site-specific customisation and flexible solutions.

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Best practice for car park wayfinding signage

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Best practice for car park wayfinding signage

Effective wayfinding signage is crucial for helping people navigate through spaces, whether it's a large building, a campus, or a car park.

When it comes to car parks, we have decades of experience in best practice for designing and implementing wayfinding signage. As we create wayfinding systems customised for each parking asset, we consider:

Clarity and Simplicity

Using clear messaging and keeping it simple is critical for driver safety. With only moments to concentrate on signage, drivers must be able to understand what the signs are telling them immediately. Concise and easily understood signage means using readable icons, numbers, and letters.

Consistency and Colour

Maintaining consistent iconography and typography creates a cohesive visual identity that can reflect an organisational brand, but if symbols are involved, they must be universally understood. Colour coding to distinguish between different parking levels or parking categories including disabled, EV, parents with pram and visitor areas is most efficient. However, the colour choices should be intuitive and accessible to all, including those with colour blindness or deficiencies.

Visibility

Signs should be positioned at key decision points, making sure they are easily visible from a driver’s perspective and taking into consideration the flow of vehicle traffic. Font sizes and the use of high brightness, lower pitch LED technology is also considered best practice for readability.

Directional Guidance

Using arrows and other directional indicators helps to guide users along the correct path and including signs at intermediate points ensures drivers know they are on the right path.

Testing

Conduct usability testing to identify any points of confusion or areas for improvement. Importantly, we test for accuracy that the parking data being communicated is correct. As occupancy status changes, sign updates should also be fast at 10 second response times or better.

Maintenance

By regularly inspecting signage, visibility and accuracy are ensured. As changes occur, such as additional construction or renovations, update or additions to signage should be made to ensure it remains effective as a guide for drivers.

Technology

Some parking assets such as clubs or community precincts may consider incorporating additional information panels to display operational and other community messaging.

With decades of experience in the parking industry, our team use these best practices to create a smart wayfinding system that is intuitive, user-friendly, and enhances the overall experience of drivers navigating through a parking asset.

For trusted advice customised to your parking needs, contact the Park Agility team.

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