Geospatial data: Transforming School Parking Management

Addressing the pressing issue of parking around schools, councils are increasingly turning to innovative solutions powered by geospatial data. As parking problems continue to increase nationwide, councils grapple with the delicate balance between accommodating motorists and safeguarding pedestrians amidst the growing demands for kerbside space.

Of particular concern is the rise in dangerous parking near schools, jeopardizing the safety of children and pedestrians alike. Increasing instances of vehicles encroaching on zig-zag and double yellow lines not only hinder visibility for drivers but also pose significant risks to those navigating the often crowded pavement space.

In response, councils are pioneering novel approaches to combat these issues. For instance, Fylde Council in Blackpool undertook a trial using double red lines to address the problem head-on. Unlike double yellow lines, which are often disregarded by parents seeking to drop off their children conveniently, double red lines signify a strict “No stopping at any time” policy, making any form of stoppage an offense. Following a successful trial, the council is now expanding the initiative across the borough.

While such measures effectively tackle one challenge, they give rise to new concerns regarding the availability of safe parking areas for parents and caregivers. To confront this, councils recognize the imperative of gaining a comprehensive understanding of the kerbside spaces they are tasked with managing.

Consequently, they are increasingly harnessing geospatial data to devise more efficient kerbside management strategies. Through detailed street-level surveys to enable the digitalization of Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) data, councils can rapidly establish a baseline of speed limits and parking restrictions.

This data, coupled with ultra-high-resolution aerial imagery and comprehensive mapping data, facilitates the creation of a robust digital replica of kerbside spaces. Armed with this information, local authorities can then conduct thorough analyses and modelling of potential alterations to existing TROs, allowing them to ensure the success of strategies to mitigate parking pressures and associated issues.

At Getmapping, we’ve developed a tailored solution to speed up this process and help deliver better outcomes. Our unique Air Down and Ground Up services offer a comprehensive toolkit for all stakeholders involved in kerbside management.

Our cutting-edge 3D Mobile Mapping Solutions swiftly generate digital base maps of TRO data, significantly reducing both time and costs compared to existing survey solutions.

Simultaneously, our CityView 5cm imagery provides a detailed birds-eye view of road and street infrastructure, empowering users to identify development sites and evaluate the repercussions of proposed changes on existing infrastructure and usage.

For more insights on how Getmapping’s on-demand geospatial solutions can enhance your organization’s management of street assets and kerbside space, reach out to our sales team at sales@getmapping.com or via our contact page.