Swarco Traffic implements VMS parking guidance system at major retail centre

Swarco Traffic has installed a new parking guidance system at one of Northern Ireland’s premier shopping centres, Abbey Centre, Belfast. A combination of seven variable message signs (VMS) and seven car parking count sensors were commissioned and installed as part of the contract. The technologies combine to alert visitors to where spaces are available, helping to reduce congestion and improve convenience. Abbey Centre attracts some 115,000 visitors every week, and provides 1,265 free car parking spaces. Th
May 26, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
129 Swarco Traffic has installed a new parking guidance system at one of Northern Ireland’s premier shopping centres, Abbey Centre, Belfast.


A combination of seven variable message signs (VMS) and seven car parking count sensors were commissioned and installed as part of the contract. The technologies combine to alert visitors to where spaces are available, helping to reduce congestion and improve convenience. Abbey Centre attracts some 115,000 visitors every week, and provides 1,265 free car parking spaces.

The signs and sensors were strategically installed both outside and inside the car park to direct drivers appropriately. The sensors also automatically report to the relevant VMS on how many spaces are available at each of the centre’s car parks.

Additionally, Swarco implemented its PGS Management software that communicates directly to the centre’s management via GPRS. Key strategic information is made available to inform the client’s decision making, and ensuring they are aware of the centre’s peak times, so that the messages displayed can be amended accordingly.

Air Quality & Weather Systems Parking & Access Control

Related Content

  • Variable message signs continue to deliver travel information
    February 2, 2012
    Arguably the 'face' of ITS, variable message signs are far from being a passing solution
    Read More
  • Slow adoption of European VMS harmonisation
    January 31, 2012
    Alberto Arbaiza, ES4-Mare Nostrum Chair, Directorate General of Traffic, Spain and Antonio Lucas-Alba, ES4 Secretariat, INTRAS, University of Valencia, Spain write about progress towards variable message sign harmonisation in Europe . Particularly in Europe, national road administrations have been faster at generating and adopting new road signs than the standardisation process has been at generating them.
    Read More
  • Clearview and Nedap partner on retail parking solution
    November 4, 2015
    UK fashion and homeware retailer Next has taken steps to improve the parking experience at its new flagship store in High Wycombe, with the deployment of wireless parking sensors in its car park. Nedap partner Clearview Traffic Group has integrated Nedap's Sensit wireless parking sensors into Clearview’s Insight Parking solution to provide shoppers with real time information on available parking bays. Nedap’s wireless parking sensors provide real-time occupancy status per parking bay. The in-ground se
    Read More
  • Swarco completes major VMS installation for North East’s busiest highways
    December 14, 2016
    Swarco Traffic has completed the installation of a network of 27 electronic variable message signs (VMS) at some of the busiest highway locations in the north-east of the UK. The signs are intended to give motorists key information to help them plan their journey and warn them of weather disruption and other potential hazards. Planning and coordinating the works involved consultation and planning with the various local authorities in the region and Swarco Traffic worked closely throughout the project wit
    Read More

Highlighted Content