Parking Sensors Receive Strong Reactions in Melbourne

Database Consultants Australia installed the PinForce Sentinal, a sensor system, at the Templestowe shopping centre in Manningham, a community located to the east of Melbourne.

Within six weeks, parking fines at the complex rose by 24%. It also eliminated the need for parking officials to mark tyres or refer to parking meters, which can often be changed by the drivers.

Estimates published in the Sunday Herald Sun show that the city could earn close to $20 million annually by installing the system at parking lots across the city. City councillors predict that 60% more illegal parking cases will likely be detected with these sensors. Parking officials need to enter a vehicle registration details before the system transmits parking data to the unit held by the officials. In-ground sensors are on trial across the city.

However, on the minus side, it could also mean many of the parking officials also called Grey Ghosts could lose their jobs. It could also negatively impact industrial relations. The council stands divided on whether to go ahead with installing the system at all parking lots, and are due to take a vote on this soon. According to Don Parsons, secretary of Melbourne Business Council, the device will prove to be a deterrent to people who want to visit the city on business.

Source: http://www.data.com.au/