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APT Technologies, part of the APT Controls group of companies, has provided innovative bay monitoring technology for the busy Gunwharf Quays ca
The APT Group of Companies, the vehicle access, revenue parking and vehicle counting business, has recently completed the installation of a com
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.”
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