MOTORISTS will soon be able to find vacant parking spaces in Manchester city centre using their mobile phones.
The sensors are being placed in 200 bays but if the trial is successful, the system could be extended to other parts of the city centre.
Manchester City Council is testing technology, used in American cities, with electronic sensors placed in parking bays in the Northern Quarter and Chinatown areas.
In what will be the first major trial for a UK city, motorists will be able to download a mobile phone app which will enable them to see in real time which bays are available.
The free Parker app, available for iPhones and Android devices, can also act as a sat nav directing motorists to the nearest available bay and is voice-activated so can be used while driving.
The app, which recently won an innovation award at an award ceremony in Barcelona, will also be linked to the City Council’s existing pay by phone system.
Meanwhile, it will also enable parking bosses to see detailed information about which bays are being used at what times, and for how long.
The City Council, along with its contractor NSL, is working with US-based company Streetline to trial the new system, which is currently being used successfully in cities such as Los Angeles, Washington DC and New York.
The company is providing the equipment free of charge for the six- month trial set to start in March.
The sensors are being placed in 200 bays but if the trial is successful, the system could be extended to other parts of the city centre.
Councillor Nigel Murphy, Manchester City Council’s executive member for the environment, said: “This technology has proved very successful in US
cities, where it has been welcomed by both businesses and motorists who say it has made finding parking spaces much easier and reduced the need for people to drive around looking for available bays. I believe motorists coming into Manchester to shop, eat in restaurants or go to the theatre will find it just as useful."
The sensors will be placed in bays on the following streets: King Street, George Street, Faulkner Street, Charlotte Street, Nicholas Street, Princess Street, Tib Street, Thomas Street, Turner Street, Spear Street, Hilton Street, Stevenson Square and Newton Street.
