Frankston City Council is continuing to make parking easier and traffic less congested for its residents, through two smart parking trial initiatives.
Frankston City Council’s Smart Parking Trial Project kicked off on 15 August, with new technology to make parking more efficient in its area. Additionally, free two-hour parking has been reinstated, extending the initiative which ran during COVID-19.
For this project, Council has partnered with APARC, offering parking management solutions, to ensure that a positive parking experience is offered to commuters.
The Smart Parking Trial is part of a larger initiative to use technology and innovation to take Frankston City Council to the future, and was first listed in the Council Plan 2022-2023 following community consultation.
Signage and in-ground sensors are being installed to make way for the three-year trial, which will:
- Help drivers locate the closest parking spot to their destination
- Allow for secure, cashless and contactless payment of parking
- Send notifications to drivers when parking time is about to expire
- Reduce congestion in typically high-traffic areas
- Give fairer access to parking by reducing parking over-stays
Smart parking optimises space and time in a busy urban environment, and has also been found to reduce travel by up to 10 per cent helping to reduce climate change.
Frankston City Council Mayor, Nathan Conroy, said, “We hope drivers take advantage of this more efficient way of parking which contributes to fuel economy, reduces traffic and is more sustainable for the environment.”
There are two options available for locals who wish to smart park, by downloading two apps: the Strada mobile app (for easy and secure payments) and the soon-to-be-available Guidance app (to locate a parking spot).
Both businesses and commuters stand to benefit now that Smart Parking is available in the following areas:
- Wells Street: from Nepean Highway to Young Street
- Playne Street: from Nepean Highway to Young Street
- Young Street: from Wells Street to Playne Street
- Thompson Street: between Wells Street and Playne Street
- Young Street East Car Park
- Playne Street Car Park
Council has also put together a list of frequently asked questions on the Frankston City Council website to help drivers better understand how to reap the benefits of Smart Parking.
In addition to smart parking, two-hour free parking has also been reinstated in the following areas:
- Mechanics Hall
- Cranbourne Rd (Fletcher Rd Car Park)
- Playne Street Car Park
- Young Street East Car Park
