Sharjah sets up 2 AI-powered public parking lots in Al Khan, Al Nad

In accordance with the phenomenal growth in infrastructure services within the Emirate of Sharjah, and considering the distinctive and dynamic population, tourism and investment patterns it is experiencing, the Sharjah City Municipality has announced the establishment of two public parking facilities in the city that function in a smart manner: Al Khan and Al Nad (in the Al Qasimia area).

A number of other areas are currently being prepared based on a detailed study of each area's parking needs. This initiative forms part of the ongoing endeavour to leverage artificial intelligence and digital transformation within the work system, and to implement smart inspection methodologies for public parking facilities, monitor violations and deliver optimal services.

Khalid Bin Falah Al Suwaidi, Director of Customer Service at Sharjah City Municipality, has confirmed that the municipality is working to expand the establishment and opening of smart parking areas across the city of Sharjah.

The aim is to provide regular parking for residents and visitors, in light of the qualitative boom the emirate is experiencing: a significant population, urban and tourism boom. The Director of Customer Service emphasised that smart inspection and artificial intelligence are integral to the operation of the public parking service. These are key features of municipal work and are firmly embedded in the municipality's plans and strategies.

The civic body is committed to developing and modernising services and aligning with the vision and directives of the Emirate of Sharjah in its digital transformation. Hamed Al Qaed, Director of the Public Parking Department at Sharjah City Municipality, stated that the smart areas provide public parking spaces for customers to park their vehicles in a regular and correct manner.

Vehicles are dealt with in these areas in a smart way in terms of calculating the parking period and fees, which supports the municipality's efforts to save time and effort, provide services digitally, and facilitate the public. He further noted that the two parking facilities in the Al Khan and Al Qasimia areas offer 392 parking spaces, providing customers with a wide range of options for parking duration, including short periods ranging from one hour to five hours. These options align with the parking fees applicable in various areas of the city.

Additionally, the parking facilities provide for seasonal subscriptions, offering the option to subscribe for a day, a week, a month, or a full year. Customers can subscribe to these parking services through the "Mawaqif" smart application, which is affiliated with the Public Parking Department.

The "Mawaqif" smart application is available on smart application stores, and the process of subscription is facilitated by entering the vehicle plate in the system according to the subscription period.

He also explained that the smart parking areas operate according to an advanced mechanism whereby a vehicle enters the parking place from the designated entrance. The smart cameras installed at the gate of the zone then read the vehicle's number plate and save its data. Upon completion of the parking period, the vehicle's plate is scanned once more by the smart cameras, and a special system calculates the duration of the stay.

The Mawqif application then notifies the vehicle owner of the parking period and the calculated fees, facilitating the completion of the payment process via the Mawqif smart application. Hamed Al Qaed stated that these facilities offer intelligent solutions to address the challenges posed by the increased demand for public parking and the people's need for parking at various times, particularly in tourist and commercial areas.

Consequently, the municipality undertakes continuous monitoring of parking needs in these areas and prepares them in accordance with annual plans, reports and public comments.