We have posted several articles recently about a range of new mobile technologies and location-based applications for parking. For the most part, these have been built as open software, from consumers, for consumers, to aggregate parking information – either by pricing or by availability. Until now, at least in Australia, we were not aware of these applications actually coming from the public sector or administrators of the parking services.
VicRoads has recently launched an iPhone application called ‘SmartPark’. According to the description on its website, ‘SmartPark can help you when parking in Melbourne clearway zones and timed parking spots by reminding you to get back to your car before the time expires. SmartPark can also give you directions back to your car.’
You can use SmartPark in Melbourne to:
* Set a clearway reminder for the clearway you are parked in.
* Set a parking-meter timer to remind you when it will expire.
* Set your location when you park, and help you find your way back to your car.
It seems like a good tool for both sides: consumers will be less likely to receive a ticket or be towed; VicRoads, in keeping the clearways free, will help ensure that peak traffic flows in the city are not hampered by people who forget about where they parked their cars!
You can read more about the application on the VicRoads website here.
And thanks to one of our blog subscribers, Nick Parker, for sending this to us!