A SMART parking initiative is to be rolled out in Ennis which will see parking censors installed across the town, providing motorists with real-time information on available parking spaces.
The Smart Parking initiative is to be deployed under the Cisco Country Digital Acceleration programme (CDA), which funds digitisation initiatives across the world to support countries, cities, and towns to realise the value of digitisation faster.
The Ennis Smart Parking Project came about through a collaboration between the Western Development Commission and Chambers Ireland. Ennis Chamber identified a series of parking challenges that could be positively addressed through the deployment of technology-based solutions.
The objective of the Ennis Smart Parking project is to provide intelligence to enable better management of traffic in Ennis town centre. Improved traffic management across the town could reduce CO2 emissions from cars, increase shopper footfall, and deliver improved visitor sentiment.
The proposed solution will see Cisco work with its Dublin-based software partner Danalto to deploy a range of technology solutions including parking sensors, ISR routers, and cameras throughout parking areas in Ennis town centre, including surface car parks controlled by Clare County Council, private car parks, and some on street parking bays.
The use of parking cameras and sensors in conjunction with a cloud analytics platform to analyse parking space availability, will allow the public to access real-time information on parking availability. The project will also facilitate the introduction of dynamic digital signage to communicate parking availability to motorists as they approach Ennis.
Shane Heraty, Managing Director, Ireland and Scotland, Cisco said, “Smart, digital technology has the ability to help solve complex challenges in even the most unlikely of places. The smart parking and connected community solution to be implemented in Ennis will provide valuable data and insight into the broader impact of addressing an issue such as parking.
The historic town will be able to not only quantify improvements in traffic flow, but areas such as air quality and footfall for local businesses.” He added “We’re delighted to be partnering with Ennis, the WDC and Danalto on this initiative through the Cisco Country Digital Acceleration programme.”
Margaret O’Brien, CEO Ennis Chamber said, “The work to be undertaken by Cisco and Danalto will result in clear, tangible benefits for the commercial heart of Ennis. Improved traffic management, dynamic digital signage and real-time communication around parking availability will improve footfall and, also the user experience, which in turn will make Ennis an even more attractive destination for shoppers and visitors.”
Mayor of Ennis, Cllr Ann Norton (IND) said, “The elected members of Ennis Municipal District are delighted that Cisco chose to work with Ennis Chamber and Clare County Council on this Smart Parking initiative. Parking can be a challenge in Ennis and a solution devised by global IT leader Cisco, to help improve traffic management and access to parking is most welcome”.
Leonore O’Neill, Senior Executive Officer, Ennis Municipal District, Clare County Council said, “We view this as a great opportunity for Ennis and look forward to working collaboratively with Cisco and Ennis Chamber on this exciting project to develop an innovative digital parking solution for Ennis”.
