Advertisement

Beijing looks for smart solutions to solve city’s parking problems

Authorities planning system that will show drivers where there are free spaces and allow them to pay for parking via smartphone

Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
More than a million motorists in the Chinese capital regularly struggle to find a parking space. Photo: AP

Beijing is set to tackle its parking problem with a new smart system which will provide real-time guidance to motorists, state media reported on Tuesday.

Nearly a quarter of the capital’s motor vehicles – 1.3 million out of 5.7 million – regularly struggle to find parking places, People’s Daily reported.

Citizens often complain about the cost of street parking and small car parks, Zhou Zhengyu, head of Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport, told reporters.

Advertisement

The smartphone system will allow drivers to find available parking spaces near them and pay their parking fees with a digital wallet.

Advertisement

The city’s transport commission will provide a live map of all car parks and guide motorists to them in an attempt to cut the time-consuming and often frustrating process of driving around looking for a free spot.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x