Nottingham’s road network is managed through the Traffic Control Centre (TCC). At present it monitors car park spaces independently to car park operators. Under the new system data will be fed from the car park operators to the TCC and then onto electronic message boards.

It will take up to 12 months to roll out the whole strategy; however some of the technology needed for the scheme is already here. The TCC is already managing interactive parking signs, and it is a relatively small step to set up the zone monitoring and provide internet displays of car parking availability.

All five NET Park & Ride sites have vehicle occupancy monitors, and it may even be possible to send car park occupancy, incident report and congestion data to satellite navigation systems.

In spring / summer 2008 you will start to see new street signs and the car park variable message signs going up around the city centre. It is hoped that the ParkSmart project, including the technology, will be in place by March 2009.