For six months, from May to October 2023, we are trialling parking sensor enforcement in three local shopping precincts - Glenferrie Road, Malvern, High Street, Armadale, and Toorak Village, Toorak.
Since 2021, across the three precincts 600 parking sensors have been installed to manage and measure parking activity.
The introduction of parking sensors is part of a broader Stonnington Smart Cities Strategy being rolled out across the city. For more information visit the Smart Cities webpage.
About the trial
We are using the six-month trial to test whether we should use parking sensor technology to improve the way we manage parking in our busy activity centres.
The sensors collect important information about on-street parking behaviour, and give us the fact-based data we need to accurately analyse and model how people are using the available parking.
This information is used to:
- improve the way we manage parking in busy shopping precincts
- make access to parking fairer for everyone.
During the trial, the parking sensors will also send notifications to our parking officers when a vehicle overstays the time a vehicle is permitted to park in an on-street parking bay. Using this technology will allow us to allocate resources more efficiently.
What is a parking sensor and how does it work?
A parking sensor is a small electronic device installed underneath a car parking bay. The sensor registers when a vehicle enters and leaves the parking bay. This information tells us a lot about the typical use of bays in different parts of the city. It also alerts our parking officers if a vehicle has overstayed time restrictions for a particular parking bay.
All data collected from the sensors is safely sent to a secure storage facility in Melbourne in line with Australian data sovereignty laws. The sensors do not collect any private or identifiable data like registration plates, names or similar.
Are the sensors accurate?
Yes. The sensors are very accurate and receive regular health checks to ensure they record vehicle movements correctly. The sensor time is synchronised through a central server set to Australian eastern standard time.
Will the sensors be used to issue parking fines?
Yes. As part of the six-month trial the sensors will be used for enforcement purposes. The sensors record when a vehicle enters and leaves an on-street parking bay. When a vehicle has overstayed the maximum time permitted, a parking officer in the immediate vicinity of the vehicle will receive an alert from the sensor. The officer will verify the details and determine whether a parking fine should be issued.
Where are the sensors located?
The parking sensors are located in three local shopping precincts:
- High Street, Armadale
- Glenferrie Road, Malvern
- Toorak Village, Toorak
The sensor locations are marked by the orange line on the following maps (click to enlarge).
What are the benefits of the sensors?
Using parking sensor technology to monitor parking behaviour:
- provides accurate data on the way parking is being used
- allows us to manage parking enforcement more efficiently
- encourages motorists to follow restrictions
- helps improve turnover of parking spaces
- makes it easier to locate available parking via the PayStay app.
What happens after the trial?
At the end of the six month trial, we will assess the sensor data to determine what changes we can make to the parking restrictions to better suit the needs of businesses, shoppers and visitors to the areas.
We will also review the parking enforcement activity to determine whether sensors should be used going forward, to manage parking.