You only have to type 'events near me' into Google to discover everything that's happening in your area. From sports to music, festivals to shows, Australia's main cities play host to the country's biggest and most-frequented events.
For many attendees who live outside of these urban areas, driving in and parking is the easiest option. However, large attendance can cause high levels of congestion for those entering and exiting onsite car parks. Could smart parking solutions make for a more streamlined operation?
Attendance at Australian events
Recognised around the world for its tremendous sporting culture, it's hardly surprising tens of thousands of locals and tourists choose to get amongst the action. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) currently holds the record for the biggest Victorian Football League (VFL)/Australian Football League (AFL) crowd, with 121,696 people attending the AFL final against Carlton and Collingwood in 1970.
Today, Australia's biggest stadiums continue to draw in large crowds. British pop sensation Adele broke box office records back in 2017 when her show was seen by 100,000 fans at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.
British pop sensation Adele broke box office records back in 2017 when her show was seen by 100,000 fans at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.
What problems can large events cause?
While it's great Australian cities have the means to accommodate a huge number of patrons in stadiums and venues, high-frequented events don't come without their frustrations.
Visitors driving and parking can experience a number of issues, including – but not limited to – the following:
- Huge surge in demand for parking during peak traffic flows when trying to access the event in a short period of time.
- Poorly managed parking, often undertaken by staff who can become overwhelmed at volumes and impatient drivers.
- Difficulties finding a space when faced with other drivers looking to do the same.
- Problems trying to exit the car park once the event has finished, including lengthy queues.
Venue managers and officers can also experience a range of problems related to parking, including:
- Directing drivers into available spots when faced with time constraints.
- Managing large volumes of congestion with limited staff.
- Dealing with driver frustrations.
With the steady increase in the number of vehicles coming to already rapidly-urbanised areas, cities' traffic and congestion problems are only getting worse. As outlined, this creates a logistical nightmare for both drivers and event organisers – so, what's the solution?
How can smart parking technology help with event parking?
To combat the problems of event parking, many companies are investing in smart parking solutions. Such systems run on the Internet of Things (IoT) framework, which involves connecting several smart devices on a wireless network in order to engage and share valuable information with one another. In parking instances, this typically involves sensors, smart parking maps and handheld applications for enforcement officers.
All connected components give attendees and staff real-time information on parking spot status, as well as extras such as the best route to the event. Such information enables visitors to make informed and faster decisions on where to park, all before reaching the car park itself. This not only saves fuel circling around looking for an available spot, it also eliminates frustrations for those trying to park in a busy facility in a short space of time. Better yet, smart parking technology means attendees can spend less time worrying about parking and more time enjoying the event, free of hassle and stress.
For event managers, the introduction of smart parking systems means less staff are needed to oversee and manage drivers in the parking facility. This leads to lowered wage costs and less potential of verbal abuse by frustrated drivers.
A smart parking solution is essential for any event as it offers unbeatable efficiency, streamlined operations and a stress-free experience for all end users. Get in touch the smart parking experts at Duncan Solutions to see how we can help improve your parking operation.
