With parking and traffic enforcement based on work practices established in the late 1950s, the City of Melbourne is examining existing technology to transform and improve the way Council does business.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the days of “teams of people walking around the city chalking tyres have come to an end”.
“Proposed new technology would mean a more consistent and reasonable approach to parking enforcement with a five minute grace period built in across the entire municipality,” he said in a statement.
“There’s no change in the expectation for drivers – you pay for your parking, observe the time limit and don’t over stay.”
According to the Council the technology being proposed includes: in ground sensors – a parking detection device that records when a vehicle moves in and out of a parking pay; license plate recognition systems; pay by phone trial; and updating hand held devices for council officers.
Councilors resolved, on February 2, to go to tender and begin a consultation process with staff and stakeholders.
According to the Council the technology being proposed includes: in ground sensors – a parking detection device that records when a vehicle moves in and out of a parking pay; license plate recognition systems; pay by phone trial; and updating hand held devices for council officers.
Councilors resolved, on February 2, to go to tender and begin a consultation process with staff and stakeholders.
“We have already been talking to our staff about this technology for many months and depending on the outcome of the tender process, it could be introduced by mid-year,” Cr Doyle said.
“It is expected there could be an impact on our parking and traffic and by-laws compliance teams in terms of the way we do business.”
According to the Mayor this could mean council officers would focus on local law compliance such as noise, litter and other issues which impact on the amenity of the city.
“If any of these proposed technologies were to go ahead, an extensive community information campaign would be undertaken, including clear signs indicating where sensors operate and advertising across relevant publications and websites,” Cr Doyle said.
“If any of these proposed technologies were to go ahead, an extensive community information campaign would be undertaken, including clear signs indicating where sensors operate and advertising across relevant publications and websites,” Cr Doyle said.
However if the proposal goes ahead it wouldn’t impact on people’s right to contest or question fines and our staff will still be able to check if a vehicle which has overstayed a limit has disabled access, he added.
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