New park management system makes parking easier

Taupo District Council is trialling a new parking device to help Parking Officers to work smarter and to assist drivers with finding a car park.

The free trial of the Meter-Eye parking management system will be installed early next week on the northern side of Horomatangi Street, between Ruapehu Street and the Starlight Cinema Arcade. This will monitor the P15 restrictions outside ANZ, the Post Shop and a section of P60 along to Kissa-Kai Café and Restaurant.

The wireless device will notify Parking Officers of any vehicles that overstay the time limit, after the usual 5-10 minutes leeway, and will replace the traditional chalk marking system. Meter-Eye will link up to electronic signage, indicating to drivers the number of empty parking spaces available in the street.

‘Towards 2019’ - Council’s ten year plan, includes a proposal for Meter-Eye to be installed throughout the CBD in 2009. This will allow Council to continue to provide free carparking in the Taupo Central Business District, while ensuring maximum turnover of carparking spaces. The free trial of the equipment will enable Council and the public to assess the system prior to committing to it.

“It makes sense to trial the system at no cost to the ratepayer, before we commit to rolling out the system throughout the CBD. I liken it to taking a car for a test drive before you buy it,” said Mayor Rick Cooper.

The free trial will be carried out for up to six months. If you have any feedback on whether Council should continue to use the system, please contact Dianne Thompson, Parking Control Supervisor on 07 376 0899 or dthompson@taupo.govt.n z, or alternatively make a submission to the draft ten year plan early next year.