Upfront Conor Greely looks at smarter parking now and in the future and getting the public on board Smart thinking The parking sector is entering an exciting and also on pages 14-16 of this issue, the new age. Developments in smart cities and National Parking Platform (NPP) continues to connected transport areas are going to develop at pace, with increasing pilots moving have a huge impact on motorists, the retail towards a full national rollout. The NPP and environment, and the wider UK economy. digital traffic regulation orders (see pages 24-26) As chair of the BPAs Technology, Innovation can contribute to the productivity gains that and Research (TIR) Board, Im privileged to the UK urgently needs. This in turn will lead to gain early access to some of the emerging benefits for the public sector and motorists. technologies that will serve us in the future. Essential to explaining these changes While local on a wider scale authorities have, at will be improved Our sector can ensure times, had a reputation communications the UK remains at the for antiquated from the BPA and forefront of parking and processes and clunky, by the public and mobility innovation out-of-date technology, private sectors. The many are trailblazers BPA recognises in the delivery of new services that incorporate this and is prioritising communication that world-leading technologies. These will not only ensures all stakeholders are well informed and deliver benefits today, but also provide the move forward with us as these exciting new building blocks for the smarter cities and selfdevelopments take shape. driving vehicle revolution of the near future. By continuing to work collaboratively with A more connected parking world, local authorities and combined authority underpinned by Alliance for Parking Data mayors, our sector can ensure the UK remains Standards (APDS), allows for so many at the forefront of parking and mobility possibilities for a more productive and efficient innovation and interoperability and that the economy. Opportunities include facilitating more general public wholeheartedly embraces the multimodal transport linkages, allowing for more positive change this will bring. environmentally friendly last-mile logistics and optimisation of EV charging points to ensure *See bit.ly/PNNov22NPP they are achieving maximum utilisation. The future with connected and communicating car Chair of the BPA Technology, Innovation parks, vehicles and logistics companies allows and Research Board for endless possibilities. info@britishparking.co.uk As featured in last months Parking News,* Conor Greely 3 PN Nov 2022 pp02-03 Upfront.indd 3 26/10/2022 16:05