Council installs car parking sensors in Woombye
Ten sensors have also been installed on poles along Blackall Street for the Data Driven Decision Making (DDDM) pilot project.
Twenty car parking bay sensors, pictured, have been installed in Blackall Street Woombye to capture data about how many vehicles use the main street’s parking bays, how long they stay and the peak times.
“The data that these sensors capture will provide council with information that enables us to make informed decisions on future projects,” said Division 5 Councillor Winston Johnston.
Council is also capturing data on people movement, water use and ambient temperatures in Woombye to help with streetscape planning.
Ten sensors have been installed on poles along Blackall Street for the Data Driven Decision Making (DDDM) pilot project which is part of council’s Smart City Framework.
“This pilot project will capture real time information about pedestrian and vehicle movement in the area,” said Cr Johnston. “It will capture data on how long they’re in this area and their direction of movement.”
A networked water meter already provides council with data on things like how many people are using public amenities, how much water is being used and if there are water leaks. “This data helps council run these facilities in more environmentally sustainable way,” Cr Johnston said.
He said a weather station and ambient temperature sensors were also installed as part of the pilot program.
“A thermal image camera will also provide council with data on temperature comparisons between asphalt, concrete, grass, canopy or shaded locations. This information will be used to improve planning and design of public areas, using materials and colours which provide cooler, more comfortable open spaces for our community.”
“It’s actually not all that expensive to install and what it really boils down to is it means the streetscape planning is a lot more efficient and you tend not to make mistakes.”
Cr Johnston reassured residents that the technology maintained people’s privacy.
“The technology obscures people’s faces and number plates so no-one can be identified. There’s nothing ‘Big Brother’ about it,” he said.