Digital street signs spotted in Sydney

New parking signs anger Aussie drivers as many declare it as ‘a solution for a problem that didn’t need solving’

New digital parking signs are being trialed on Sydney streets in a move designed to make parking simpler, however many have questioned the use of the high-cost technology.

The signs were spotted around Chalmers Street in the inner suburb of Surry Hills and will be trialed for 18 months, with more to be installed around Elizabeth Street later.

The Smart Signage trial is a part of the NSW government´s $695 million Smart Technology Corridors Program.

There has been mixed responses to the introduction of the new signs. Picture: Supplied

The electronic signs show the parking restrictions that apply at the time, rather than the old metal signs which can include a bewildering array of different rules that apply at various times through the week.

‘Smart Signage will replace confusing parking, clearway and bus zone signs with one simple, digital sign that is updated and monitored remotely,’ Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward said.

‘Not only will this technology potentially reduce parking fines, putting money back in people´s pockets, but it will also help prevent accidental parking in clearways, which adds greatly to congestion.’

Some social media users questioned those claims, with one person describing it as ‘a solution for a problem that didn´t need solving’.

There has been mixed responses to the introduction of the new signs. Picture: Supplied

There has been mixed responses to the introduction of the new signs. Picture: Supplied

‘Great, at night we can know where we can park assuming that it doesn`t change unannounced but in the daytime who knows. Parking signs already work,’ one commenter on Reddit said.

Others said it would make parking more simple.

‘As someone who moved here from overseas, some of the parking signs can be absolute riddles and this will help them be easier to understand by only showing the relevant rules for that time of day,’ another person commented.

There has been mixed responses to the introduction of the new signs. Picture: Supplied

There has been mixed responses to the introduction of the new signs. Picture: Supplied

The screens also contain security cameras that will monitor for signs of vandalism and damage, as well as letting authorities know if screens need to be replaced.

They are powered by solar energy however contain a back-up battery if it fails.

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