Current Press Archived Press

07/07/2010 | APT AND CIRCONTROL PUT NEW POWER BEHIND ELECTRICAL VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING SOLUTIONS

APT Controls Group, the

05/07/2010 | APT GETS SET TO PUT LUTON STREETS AHEAD FOLLOWING NEW CONTRACT WIN

APT Security Systems, the high-end integrator for high-performance access systems, has helped design a new street scheme for the Arndale Centre

14/06/2010 | APT’S COMPLETE RANGE IN CRASH TEST TRIUMPH

Following the launch of its new ‘Complete' bollard range, APT Security Systems, the high-end integrator for high-performance vehicle access sys

13/06/2010 | APT SKIDATA LAUNCHES NEXT GENERATION IN INTEGRATED PARKING MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY

APT SkiData has taken its thought-leadership in parking management solutions a step further with the launch of Plato Pay, the next generation i

19/01/2010 | APT SKIDATA APPOINTS NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR

Sean Dunstan has succeeded Dermot Murphy as Managing Director of APT Skidata, the UK‘s number one parking technology specialists. Dermot has mo

18/12/2009 | APT EXTENDS RANGE OF CRASH-RATED AUTOMATIC BOLLARDS

A new mid-range automatic rising bollard that can withstand the impact of a 7.5 tonne vehicle striking it at 30mph has been launched by APT Sec

14/12/2009 | APT MAKES A STAND FOR STREET FURNITURE!

What is believed to be the first crash-rated cycle stand with anti-terrorism/ram raid properties has been launched by APT Security Systems (par

07/12/2009 | APT TECHNOLOGY GIVEN LUXURY THUMBS UP FROM HARRODS

Harrods, the luxury London store, is controlling traffic to its delivery bays and valet car park using a number of barriers from APT Security S

30/11/2009 | PARKING TECHNOLOGY FROM APT SKIDATA HELPS VIRGIN TRAINS

Future-proof parking technology from APT Skidata is playing a central role in a £90 million investment programme by Virgin Trains to modernise

16/11/2009 | APT ACCESS TECHNOLOGY KEEPS TIGER FANS ROARING

Sophisticated people access control technology, designed and installed by APT Skidata, is helping fans of the Leicester Tigers gain a speedy an

07/10/2009 | FIRST OUTING FOR APT’S NEW ‘FLEXY BOLLARDS’ AT ANDERSON HOUSE

The UK's most advanced Flexible bollards have been installed by APT Security Systems, the high-end integrator for high-performance vehicle acce

30/09/2009 | APT SKIDATA COMPLETES HAT-TRICK OF UPGRADES FOR BAA

APT SkiData has completed final works on the third of three complete system upgrades and expansions at all of BAA's London Airports – Heathrow,

28/09/2009 | APT LAUNCHES NEW ‘CLASSIC’ BARRIER RANGE

A new ‘Classic' range of cost-effective and highly reliable barriers designed for long-term residential and commercial use has been launched by

20/07/2009 | NEW BOLLARD THAT RISES, FLEXES AND GLOWS IN THE DARK!

An innovative bollard that automatically rises, flexes and even glows in the dark has been launched by APT Security Systems, leaders in vehicul

APT TECHNOLOGIES SHOWS GUNWHARF QUAYS THE LIGHT

APT Technologies, part of the APT Controls group of companies, has provided innovative bay monitoring technology for the busy Gunwharf Quays car park in Portsmouth, owned by Land Securities.

Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth's newest shopping area, is part of the Portsmouth Harbour regeneration project. Situated on the former home of HMS Vernon, Gunwharf Quays is home to some 93 designer retail outlet stores, 29 bars & restaurants (many on the waterfront), a 26 lane Bowlplex, a 14 screen cinema, casino, 24 hour health & fitness centre and waterside apartments & housing developments, along with a 130 bed hotel.

Serving the car parking needs of the scheme is Gunwharf Quays car park, Portsmouth's biggest and busiest city centre car park, as car park manager Paul Plumbley explains: “Parking availability is at a premium in the centre of Portsmouth and we reach car park capacity very quickly every Saturday & Sunday and during school holidays, with queues at the entrance sometimes stretching back two to three miles. The popularity of the car park was becoming a real issue for us, and one that we had to address.

“We knew that bay monitoring technology was available so we invited five companies to tender for the project. All the responses varied widely, with different types of systems, different lights, sensors and various install times. APT Technologies not only offered the quickest install time, which meant minimum disruption to car park operations, but crucially its technology could integrate with our existing APT Skidata pay-on-foot parking system.”

Gunwharf Quay's parking system previously operated on a loop – counting cars in through the entrance barrier and out at the exit, and once at capacity it would only allow a waiting car to enter after another had exited. Gunwharf Quays car park has 1533 parking spaces split over two levels underground, with some three miles of roadway between entrance and exit.

“The problem that we were facing,” continues Paul “was that a vehicle could be stationary awaiting availability of a parking space at the entrance barrier for anything up to 10 to 15 minutes, when in fact spaces were available. The bay monitoring system, however, senses when a car has left a space and automatically sends a signal to the entrance barrier, allowing the next car to enter immediately.”

The bay monitoring technology indicates a car park space's status via red and green lights (or a blue light to indicate a disability space) installed above the parking area. The LED indicators are used in conjunction with electronic variable message signs, displaying space availability to help direct drivers to parts of the car park that have spaces. The system allows drivers to see immediately where spaces are available, greatly improving traffic flow and enhancing their parking experience.

Commenting on this project, Tony Jones, General Manager of APT Technologies said: “The primary reason that Paul and his team considered bay monitoring was to reduce queues at busy periods in order to improve the customer experience. However, the reality for a car park that reaches capacity on such a regular basis is that they will undoubtedly see a greater revenue return. Bay monitoring optimises occupancy levels,” he continues. “It allows waiting drivers to enter the car park more quickly and the 32 guidance signs and 1533 LED indicator lights direct them efficiently to the available spaces. The new system not only improves the customer experience but also aids the car park management team who now have a 32” touch screen in the office showing the status of each level and every car parking space. It is an important car park for the city and we are pleased to be have played a part in improving access to it and easing congestion within the surrounding area.”

The bay monitoring system has only just become fully operational, but Paul and his team are already seeing the difference: “We will still see queues at peak times, this will not change, but these queues are now moving much more quickly and drivers are less frustrated. The installation was successfully completed in six weeks despite them having to work around our peak periods. It was very impressive to watch and looking at the kit now you would not know that it had been fitted retrospectively, it looks as though it has always been there.”

“The system is undoubtedly making a difference,” Paul concludes, “but I look forward to reviewing the figures in a few months time to see the just how much impact it is having.”