New app can find empty parking spaces
Posted by Jodie Crowther on Monday, 6 Aug 2012, 17:20 in UK Motoring
A new mobile phone application has been designed to help drivers find empty parking spaces. The technology, which is about to be trialled in London by Westminster Council, uses sensors in the road to let drivers know via a smartphone app where they can find vacant parking spaces. The two-month trial starts next Wednesday using 135 on-street spaces in Savile Row, Jermyn Street, Sackville Street, St John's Wood High Street and Burlington Gardens. It is expected that the scheme could be rolled out to other cities across the UK if the trial is deemed to have been a success. A spokesman for Westminster City Council said: "This has potential for the whole country. We're piloting the first system of its kind in Europe from this Wednesday. Smart sensors are being installed in parking bays for the first time on-street in the UK. "The sensors will provide the latest real time information about parking space availability, which people will then be able to view from their phones, iPad or tablet to find a vacant space." It is not all good news for drivers, however. As well as being able to flag up empty parking spaces, the technology can also inform the parking authorities if a vehicle has overrun its permitted timeslot, meaning an enforcement officer can be dispatched to post a ticket on the unlucky driver's windscreen.
