Smart kerbs to take the pain out of parking

The NSW Government is partnering with Liverpool City Council to deliver a new digital smart kerbs pilot to show in real time where street parking is available.

Minister for Digital and Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the investment in technology will pave the way to better allocate kerb space and free up parking in suburban business districts.

“In busy city suburbs like Liverpool, kerb side parking is valuable real estate. We need to ensure we use it to its optimal level. We also need to guarantee drivers and small business are getting an equal share because – it is so important to ensure our suburban economies get back up and running,” Mr Dominello said.

“This type of data could be used to introduce new technology, such as a parking app, to make customers’ end-to-end journeys more seamless with less time spent looking for parking.”

Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said investment in new technologies, like the smart kerbs pilot, is vital to improving parking availability across Sydney.

“The data collected during this trial will help inform future transport planning, which means we could see the introduction of things such as digital parking signs directing drivers to parking spots, where this live data is fed through to provide information on parking space availability.”

“We know how frustrating it is to drive around trying to find a park and this technology will take that pain away. It will also reduce congestion as fewer cars will be on our roads circling for a spot. That means more time for people to get out to local cafés, restaurants and businesses to enjoy their time, rather than looking for a carpark,” Mr Constance said.

Liverpool City Council Mayor Wendy Waller said the revolutionary trial marks the first time that kerb space data has ever been consolidated in NSW.

“The data we collect will also help shape safer pedestrian and cycling connectivity to offices, schools and shops and could help create smarter loading zones that share availability information, to make deliveries quicker and easier,” she said.

The Liverpool Kerbside Data trial will run for 12 months, thanks to $1 million in funding from the NSW Smart Places Acceleration Fund.