Smart parking in Hamilton CBD
A new parking system is being installed in Hamilton as part of a bid to help revitalise the central city
Parking in Hamilton’s CBD is about to get a whole lot smarter.
City council contractors have begun installing 1345 smart sensors in all on-street parking bays as part of a new system trial intended to help revitalise the central city.
The new parking system will start on October 1.
City Transport Manager Jason Harrison said parking availability and management in the central city was identified as a key issue in the development of the Central City Transformation Plan (CCTP).
Sensor installation began on July 18 from Anzac Parade to Hood St and Grantham Dr. Installation should continue until August 15 depending on the weather.
There will be a temporary reduction of car parks in the central city, Harrison said. “We are aiming to limit that disruption by having some of the sensor installation done at night – and within that approach we are striving to ensure any night work isn’t done near hotels or residential apartments.”
The sensors will help the council understand parking trends.
An app is being developed so people will be able to pay by phone and see areas where parking will be available. The app won’t show exact parking spots to ensure people don’t use their phone while driving.
Traditional parking meters will remain for people who don’t wish to pay by phone or who don’t have a smartphone to get the app on.
Council chief executive Richard Briggs said in a media release research showed most city car parks are used by people for less than two hours. From October 1 most of these people will be able to come into the central city and have no parking charges.
“If people want to stay longer than two hours they can choose either off-street parking options or pay an extra charge.”
The cost of parking for more than two hours will be $6 an hour. The current cost is $2 an hour with a limit of 2 hours.
