Smart Parking - making parking easier in the Welsh Capital

In a move which could transform how residents, visitors and commuters park their car in Cardiff, The City of Cardiff Council is working with Smart Parking Ltd, to carry out a pilot scheme testing how effective this new technology is for the Welsh Capital. Cardiff will be the first city to use this technology on street, outside London.

225 Smart Parking RFID-equipped SmartEye vehicle detection sensors, linked via SmartLink data transmitters, have been installed in selected parking bays across the Capital. The pilot area includes West Grove, The Walk, Museum Avenue, North Road, Museum Place, Park Place, Wellfield Road, Albany Road, Severn Road Car Park and Sofia Gardens Car Park (access road to the car park).

The SmartApp is now available to download via an iPhone or Android device. When you download the app, you just need to enter ‘Cardiff’ in the search engine. Choose ‘Satellite’ mode and you will see the areas of the city where the new technology has been installed. The icons that show as green – indicate available spaces where you can park your car. Amber and red icons indicate areas where parking is already taken.

Cllr Ramesh Patel, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability at the City of Cardiff Council, said: “Although our priority is to get as many people to use public transport as possible, city centre parking is also important. I am pleased the implementation of the Smart Parking pilot is complete and we now want as many people to download the free app as possible. If the scheme is successful, the Council will look at all available options to extend the scheme city wide. It goes without saying that we ask all those using the app, only to use their mobile phone when safe and legal to do so.”

Group Chief Executive Officer, Paul Gillespie from Smart Park Ltd, said: “SmartPark is a tried, tested and proven solution that will make it easier for drivers in Cardiff to find a parking space. Customers are able to make better informed decisions about their parking location and change their behaviour by seeking parking availability in less occupied streets close to their desired destination. Not only does this improve the customer experience by reducing the time taken in looking for a parking place. It also indirectly helps to reduce congestion and frees up space for others, making parking in Cardiff easier and more convenient. We’re confident that residents, businesses and visitors to the City will have their driving and parking experience transformed in the months and years ahead.”