PENANG has become the first state in the country to implement a smart parking system.

The state’s two local authorities – Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) – have appointed ICT firm Heitech Padu Bhd to develop and manage the system for seven years until July 2026.

Heitech Padu will combine cloud computing technology, IR4.0 (Industrial Revolution 4.0), Internet of Things, navigation and online payment systems to direct drivers to their nearest available parking bays based on real-time information.

The system will also enhance council enforcement, reducing parking violations and leakages in revenue.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said sensors will be fixed at each parking bay, and drivers can use the Penang Smart Parking app to find the nearest available spot.

“The app will provide real-time information. Messages will be sent to drivers who are looking at the same parking bay if the space is taken.

“Drivers can also use the e-wallet feature to pay the hourly fee. If they have to extend their parking time, the e-wallet allows them to pay remotely,” he told a press conference at Dewan Sri Pinang today.

The smart system will also help MBPP and MPSP monitor entry and exit of vehicles in each bay, maintenance and increase revenue. 

It will also enhance enforcement exercises, reduce congestion and carbon emissions.

Heitech Padu executive vice-president Abdul Halim Md Lassim said the use of a smart system to manage the two councils’ parking spaces will not affect the current parking charges.

He said the 40 sen per hour rate in Seberang Prai and 80 sen in the island remain unchanged.

Halim added the state and the company will share revenue from the system at 35% and 65% ratio.

The first phase of the project from May to August will involve 1,000 parking bays, with the bulk of them on the island.

The areas covered in the initial phase are George Town’s Lebuh Union, Lebuh Pantai, Lebuh Pasar, Lebuh Queen, Lebuh Penang, Lebuh King, Lebuh Downing, Lebuh Bishop, Lebuh Gereja, Gat Lebuh Gereja, Lebuh China and Gat Lebuh China; and Seberang Prai’s Lorong Langsat and Jalan Icon City.

By the completion of the second phase, which is expected to be by January next year, the smart parking system will cover all 36,000 parking bays in the state.

There are 12,000 parking bays under MBPP’s jurisdiction on the island, and 24,000 bays under MPSP on the mainland.

Currently, drivers pay for parking using coupons. – May 2, 2019