UDC upgrading car parks

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has commenced installation activities for a new automated parking system, following the signing of contracts to upgrade four major car parks in Kingston and St James.

The initiative forms part of the entity's wider modernisation programme aimed at improving customer experience, increasing operational efficiency, and enhancing security across UDC-managed parking facilities. The car parks included in this automation phase are the Orange Street Multi-Storey, West Street, and Temple Lane car parks in downtown Kingston, and the Harmony Beach Park in St James.

Danae Vaccianna, director of sales at the UDC, says work began at the West Street Car Park with civil works already under way.

"Our contractor has commenced phase one, which includes widening the West Street entrance and preparing structural adjustments. Minor works have commenced at Temple Lane and works are pending for Temple Lane. "The project will not yet be fully self-service but will introduce a partially automated system that integrates licence plate recognition and card-based access," Vaccianna said.

Vaccianna also explained that automation will significantly improve operational efficiency with personnel assisting with operations where required, but the technology will streamline the process and support better traffic flow and improved monitoring. The UDC expects the system to be fully operational before the end of the calendar year. However, in an effort to ensure smooth customer transitioning to the new system, full implementation is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.

"This is an important step in bringing our parking infrastructure up to modern standards," added Vaccianna.