- Following a successful trial, Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council have appointed AppyWay to continue operating their Smart City Parking solution for up to a further 4 years.
- Overwhelmingly positive driver feedback highlighted the benefits of real-time availability of spaces and seamless payment experience.
- The app and the Smart City Parking scheme are seen as instrumental to the recovery of the high street as Harrogate exits lockdown and looks to build back better.
Harrogate’s Smart City Parking
London UK, 12th May 2021, kerbside management and smart city parking firm AppyWay has today announced that Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet and senior members at North Yorkshire County Council have confirmed the appointment of AppyWay and their Smart City Parking solution following a successful trial across Harrogate town centre.
The trial, launched in January 2019 and was a world first scheme involving the installation of 2,156 smart sensors and the consolidation of digitised parking data, parking sensors, parking payments, ANPR barriers and linear pricing into a single solution for the two authorities that enabled a totally seamless experience for users of their mobile app, AppyParking.
The scheme, which provides real-time availability of parking across Harrogate town centre and simpler, one-click, pay-per-minute payments has proven to be a hit amongst its 14,500 users.
During the trial over 600 smart parking users were surveyed and their feedback has shown that the smart city parking scheme creates a better parking experience for residents and visitors to the town, and provides a benefit to the local economy and environment, as well as financial advantage for both councils and the customer.
Of these customers, 83 per cent said the app alleviates stress normally associated with using a pay and display machine, 62 per cent said they stay longer as a result of not worrying about a ticket expiring and 56 per cent have saved time finding a car parking space.
The scheme has also provided a number of unforeseen benefits in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic with Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for sustainable travel, commenting
”What we weren’t aware of at the time of launch, was that the contactless payment element would also prove beneficial during the Covid-19 pandemic.
When we first implemented this comprehensive smart parking solution, we were the first local authority in the country to do so. It is clear we have led from example as this award-winning app is now being adopted by other authorities across the country.
The data from the trial period has shown it not only makes parking easier and more convenient for people, it also saves people money and encourages them to visit the town centre and stay longer. The smart parking solution continues to form part of Harrogate Borough Council’s economic growth strategy and Covid recovery plan, that aims to attract global businesses to the district, create high-quality jobs as well as improving the local transport infrastructure.
North Yorkshire County Councillor Don Mackenzie, executive member for access,
”AppyParking brings great benefits to users but also to us as the local authority. The smart parking scheme means that we need to collect less cash from ticket machines, and we derive more data on parking behaviour, which is very useful.
User benefits include being able to check in advance on free spaces, and to book and pay for parking from inside the vehicle. Making parking easier and quicker for visitors to the town centre is good for the local economy.
Dan Hubert, Founder & CEO, AppyWay adds,
”We’re thrilled to have been appointed by Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council and to see our world-first Smart City Parking scheme in Harrogate extended by up to a further 4 years.
Our solution, which allows residents and visitors to Harrogate to see live parking availability in the app and start pay-as-you-go sessions that automatically end when they drive away, provides an exceptional customer experience that has resulted in hugely positive feedback, longer parking sessions and more time spent in the town.
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with these innovative councils and playing a significant role in helping the local economy and high street recover from an extremely challenging year.
To find out more or to contact one of our Smart City Parking specialists please contact us here.
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