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Underground and Overlooked: Why Your Car Park Is the Smartest Investment You’re Not Making

Think about the last time you arrived at a commercial building as a visitor. Chances are, the experience didn’t begin at the reception desk. It began the moment you turned into the car park — searching for a bay, hoping the visitor section wasn’t full, wondering whether the space marked ‘reserved’ actually was. For most…

Cheap Parking Bollards vs High Quality: What Really Saves You Money?

thatsmyspot extra tall remote control parking bollard TMS-APL1 installed into commercial office in canberra to solve tenant parking pain

A lower price is genuinely hard to argue with. We understand why cheap parking bollards are tempting. When two bollards look similar in an online listing, choosing the cheaper one feels logical. But after more than 17 years supplying parking bollards across Australia — to strata buildings, commercial offices, hotels, and EV charging bays —…

Accessible EV Charging: Why Better Design Still Matters

person with disability is using the ev charging bay

The world is moving quickly toward electric vehicles. Public chargers are growing. New developments promote charging as a premium feature. Governments want faster adoption. That is positive progress. But one question still gets missed. Can disabled drivers actually use EV chargers? Are they truly accessible? For many drivers with a disability, the issue is not…

Why Protecting Your EV Charging Bay Is Just as Important as Having One

Fuel prices are rising. Supply is uncertain. Across Australia, drivers are switching to electric vehicles faster than ever before. But the moment someone decides to buy an EV, one question immediately replaces the old ones at the petrol pump. “Where do I charge — and will the bay actually be free when I get there?”…

Smart Cities Are Built Below the Surface: Why Smart Parking IoT Solutions Start Underground

Smart parking IoT solutions are transforming underground car parks into connected mobility systems, reducing congestion and emissions in smart cities.

Smart parking IoT solutions are becoming essential to smart city strategy, yet most conversations about smart cities still focus on what we can see. Smart lighting, smart kerbs, smart streets and smart buildings dominate conference stages and policy documents. These visible IoT layers shape how urban innovation is imagined and funded. However, cities do not…

Smart Parking Systems: From Bollards to Building-Wide Platforms

Smart Parking bollards installed in residential building.

How intelligent parking solutions enhance Building Performance – driver experience, safety and long-term property value This article comes from an editorial article written by Angelique Mentis and featured in Build Australia’s January 2026 edition It reflects current Australian parking trends, evolving smart-parking technologies, and real-world implementations across strata, healthcare, education and commercial property. Why the…

5 Top Tips for Choosing the Perfect Parking Bollard

thatsmyspot manual parking bollards installed in industrial site for Cushman and Wakefield to solve tenant parking challenges with NSW Government

If you live in a strata apartment building, you may already know how challenging it can be to secure your parking bay. With neighbours, visitors, and even random drivers occasionally overstepping boundaries, you need a reliable solution that protects your spot. This is where a parking bollard comes into play. But with so many options…

Why Parking Bollards Make Life Easier | Smarter Parking Solutions

smartphone-parking-bollard-in-EV-charging-bay-to-prevent-iceing

Parking stress is something almost everyone has experienced. From arriving home to find your allocated space taken, to navigating crowded commercial car parks, parking problems have a way of turning small inconveniences into daily frustrations. Across residential buildings, commercial developments and public spaces, parking bollards have quietly become one of the simplest ways to remove…

Melbourne Cup 2025 Parking: Smart Tips & Spots

Melbourne Cup 2025 event tips and spots

The Melbourne Cup is more than just a horse race — it’s a full-blown cultural moment. The hats, the suits, the champagne and the parking chaos.  Every year, over 100,000 people make their way to Flemington Racecourse for Australia’s most famous race. And while the horses might have their lanes sorted, most of us are…

NSW Strata Law Changes 2025: Sustainability and EV Charging in Shared Parking

Indoor EV charging station with three designated green parking bays, two occupied by a white Tesla Model 3 and a dark gray SUV, with the center bay marked 'EV' in white paint and wall-mounted chargers installed in a modern concrete garage.

From 1 July 2025, major reforms to NSW strata law took effect, embedding sustainability into the governance of every strata scheme. Under the Strata Schemes Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (NSW Government – Key Changes), strata committees must now include sustainability as a standing item on every Annual General Meeting (AGM) agenda. This means energy efficiency,…

Proposed Changes to Disability Parking Permits in Australia: What Every Building and Facilities Manager Needs to Know

2025 changes to disability parking permit laws in Australia.

If you manage any building or public asset with parking, then you need to stay up to date with rules around the Australian Disability Parking Permits Scheme. As a building manager, facilities manager, strata manager, car park operator or council, accessible parking is always a sensitive area and one that’s hard to police.  While Disability…

Surveying Visitor Parking – how does your building stack up?

thatsmyspot manual parking bollards installed for visitor parking in an apartment building for Meriton in Sydney and for commercial tenant parking

Visitor parking is one of the most in-demand—and misunderstood—resources in strata buildings. Whether it’s an apartment complex, mixed-use development, or commercial strata, parking spots meant for visitors are often at the centre of disputes, confusion, or even breaches of by-laws. So we asked the people who know best: building and facilities managers, strata committees, and…

Protecting Disabled Parking Spaces

upset disabled driver in a wheel chair who cannot access their disabled parking bay because of another illegally parked car Cars illegally parking in a disabled parking bay which would not occur if the disabled parking spot was secured by thatsmyspot parking bollards

How Remote Control Parking Bollards Enhance Accessibility and Compliance Ensuring equitable access to parking for individuals with disabilities is not just a matter of convenience—it’s a legal and moral imperative. Despite clear regulations and designated spaces, misuse of disabled parking bays remains a pervasive issue across Australia. Implementing solutions like remote control parking bollards can…

How to Make Money from Your Parking Space with Parking Bollards

row of remote control parking bollards installed in Melbourne

For many Australians living in strata apartments, having an extra parking space can open the door to a steady income stream. As urban areas become more congested, drivers often struggle to find secure and convenient spots for their cars. If you’re a property owner, facility manager, or strata committee member, learning how to monetise these…

Leading with Impact: Women Driving Innovation in Parking

Parking Industry conference

It was 4am in Sydney, but totally worth it. On 8 March 2025, I had the absolute privilege of joining the global conversation with the National Parking Association’s (NPA) Women in Parking Spring Leadership Conference in celebration of International Women’s Day. Representing Australia on an international panel alongside trailblazing women from the US and Europe,…

How to Get Approval for a Parking Bollard in Your Rented Parking Space

Installing-remote-control-parking-bollards-at-goodman-property-at-rosebery-engine-yards thatsmyspot parking bollards for for visitor parking and commercial parking and industrial parking and hotel parking and EV charging

Living in a strata apartment building often presents parking space challenges, particularly when you return home only to find your designated spot occupied. You’re not alone in dealing with this frustrating situation, and fortunately, there’s a solution: installing a parking bollard. But before you rush into installation, you must go through the appropriate approval processes…

The Role of Data in Urban Mobility and Parking

Aerial view of a crowded parking lot with diverse cars organized in rows. Overlaid digital graphics depict data and technology concepts, suggesting innovation.

Why do we need to think about parking data in Australia?  How important is parking data in cities in Australia?  How much smarter does the data make us or what does it help us do? The answer is data about vehicles, population, mobility and in our case, parking, is very important in our cities. To…

5 Ways To Improve Your Property’s Parking Returns With Smart Parking Solutions

Smart Parking Solutions in Building parking

Investing in smart parking solutions is a transformative step for building and property owners to enhance their parking returns on investment and improve user satisfaction. As drivers demand efficiency, convenience, and security, smart parking systems offer numerous benefits to enhance ROI and driver experience. Here are five compelling reasons on how smart parking systems are…

Solving Parking Problems in Apartment Buildings using Parking Bollards

Parking problems in apartment buildings can be a real headache. They cause frustration for residents and make building management more challenging. One effective solution is the use of parking bollards. These barriers can enhance the parking experience in your residential building. In this blog, we’ll explore how bollards can solve parking problems, improve safety, and…

How do parking bollards solve visitor parking Issues in apartment buildings?

Modern apartment building against a clear blue sky, featuring multiple balconies and large windows. The structure is stylish and contemporary.

Solve Visitor Parking Issues As a resident of a strata building, do you often face parking problems? With limited parking spots available for both residents and visitors in residential apartment buildings, we hear of a lot of disputes, stress, and frustration. But there’s an effective solution to make life easier for residents in strata buildings…

Ten of the top Places to Rent Long-Term Parking in Sydney

Long-term parking at Sydney Airport with shuttle services

Finding a secure parking spot in Sydney can be challenging, especially if you’re looking for a long-term parking spot. secure parking Sydney Whether you need a place to park your car for work, home, or while traveling, Sydney offers several options that combine safety and convenience. In this blog we look at  10 of the…

The Best Parking Solutions for Commercial Mixed-Use Developments

automated parking bollards installed in Goodman Properties

Mixed-use developments are gaining popularity, offering a blend of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces within close proximity. These urban spaces foster community interaction, reduce the need for car travel, and promote a walkable lifestyle. However, managing parking in these developments can be tricky. Ensuring that each use has adequate parking without wasting valuable space presents…

The Disability Parking: Understanding Invisible Disabilities

upset woman finding a note on her windscreen about illegally parking in a disabled parking bay which would not occur if the parking spot was secured by thatsmyspot parking bollards

As someone who’s spent a lot of time around parking, I’ve seen first hand the misunderstandings that swirl around disability parking. Many people wrongly assume that only those with visible, physical disabilities, such as using wheelchairs, qualify for accessible parking. But in reality, 9 out of 10 disabilities are invisible. Conditions like brain injuries, congestive…

The Future of EV Charging: Insights from FuturePlace and Angelique Mentis Interview

A panel of five people, three men and two women, sits on stage at the EV Infrastructure Summit, engaging with an audience. The mood is professional.

In a recent interview with FuturePlace, I had the pleasure of speaking about the current state and future prospects of electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI) within the Australian parking industry. The full interview is included below, with these key takeaways. Future Outlook: In the next decade, Australian parking operators and property owners will likely increase…

Cheap Parking Bollards vs High Quality Parking Bollards?

thatsmyspot remote control parking bollards installed in commercial tenant parking bays to solve visitor parking challenges commercial-property-parking-solutions-goodman

Parking bollards are essential assets in any parking facility, providing security, organisation, and guidance to drivers. While it’s easy to fall in the mindset that cheap bollards are best, it’s definitely not the solution for durability and longevity. While budget-friendly bollards might save you some cash upfront, when it comes to car park security, cheap…

How to use Google Maps latest Fuel Saving Feature?

A driver is using her phone for google map latest feature

With cleaner, greener transport in mind, coupled with rising petrol prices, it’s a priority to navigate  sustainably and efficiently when driving.  Google Maps  has recently launched two groundbreaking features which address and  enhance both efficiency and sustainability in your driving.To help drivers reach their destination faster and in a more eco-friendly way. In this blog…

New Vehicle Towing laws for NSW Strata buildings

In NSW, strata buildings used to have the benefit of specific legislation in s.125 of the Strata Management Act 1995  to give them authority to remove or tow illegally parked cars from strata property. However, authorities quietly repealed that provision in July 2020. As a result, removing illegally parked cars from strata buildings in NSW…

Why Does Electric Vehicle Charging Make Sense in Apartment Buildings?

An EV Owner charging his EV Car in a strata building Electric Vehicle Charging bay.

Inner-city living often means limited space for parking. This can be a major hurdle for apartment residents considering electric vehicles (EVs). However, with the growing popularity of EVs, there’s a solution that benefits everyone: installing EV charging stations in apartment buildings. Just look at Australia’s largest cities, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Adelaide. …

New Vehicle Towing laws for Queensland Strata buildings

towing an illegally parked car in Queensland

Queensland has recently adopted new vehicle towing laws for Queensland strata, clarifying the contentious issue of towing illegally parked cars from common property. Amendments to Queensland’s Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (TOA), and strata regulations clarify towing rules, outlining when and how vehicles can be towed from strata property. In this article, we…

So how and where do you park a flying car?

A silver flying car with BMW engine

Well the answer is …. It depends! As we enter an era where smart cities and sustainable cities are more than just buzzwords, flying cars are just one of the innovative modes of transport mobility to consider. The pipe dreams from days of the Jetsons with flying cars are now our present reality.  So in…

Accessibility and Inclusivity in Disability Parking

woman with visible disability park in disability parking bay.

Disabled parking bays are vital for mobility for access for people with mobility challenges. The prevalence of able drivers either misunderstanding the rules and signage or thoughtlessly parking in those spots,  often hinders the effectiveness of disability bay parking.  For example, cross-hatched shared access bays next to designated accessible parking bays are intended for wheelchair…

How to Solve Parking Challenges and EV Adoption in Strata Buildings?

In the realm of strata buildings, where shared living presents a myriad of unique hurdles, parking challenges often emerges as a primary concern. During a recent podcast interview with Amanda Farmer on Your Strata Property, the spotlight was cast on the evolving landscape of parking issues intersecting with the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs) within…

The Pros and Cons of EV Charging in Strata Buildings

EV Cars are lined up to charge in the EV Charging Station.

EV Charging in Strata Building in Australia is currently at the forefront of a transformative journey toward a greener future, by the growing adoption of EVs. As we navigate this eco-friendly shift, challenges faced by strata buildings is the seamless integration of EV charging infrastructure. Unlike individual homes, strata buildings accommodate multiple residences, necessitating a…

Parking’s Impact on the Urban Parking Ecosystem

A line of cars affected by traffic peak hour.

Population in our cities is growing rapidly with the United Nations predicting that over 68.5% of the world’s population will be living in cities by 2050. That’s just 27 years away! And with this the number of vehicles, traffic congestion and where these cars will park, has a significant impact on urban centres. To keep…

Future of Parking Stations: A Necessity in the Modern Cityscape

A modern parking station in Australia featuring white cars neatly parked in designated spaces. The sleek design incorporates modern architecture and efficient parking solutions for urban mobility.

The parking industry stands at a crossroads, facing a future teeming with autonomous vehicles, electric, and flying cars. As urban populations swell—an estimated 27% increase over the next 26 years according to UN data—we must rethink our car parks and parking stations to serve not just today’s needs but those of the coming decades. The…

Connected Mobility in 2024

Autonomous mobile being upgraded for connected mobility features.

Connected mobility has become an integral part of our lives, revolutionising the way we navigate our cities and park our vehicles. As 2024 approaches, it’s the perfect time to revisit how this technology is transforming our transport landscape. Unleashing the Power of Constant Connectivity These days our vehicles are more than just modes of transportation;…

Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles: A greener future?

The Hyperion XP-1 Hydrogen car

At our recent Parking Australia panel discussion, we looked at the impact of alternate energy on the future of transport mobility. One standout point of discussion was the potential of hydrogen as a game-changer in the automotive industry. While electric vehicles (EVs) currently leading the charge in the passenger vehicle market, hydrogen-powered vehicles are revving…

$10 million in grant funding to make NSW strata buildings EV Ready – apply now!

Smart parking bollard being installed in EV Charging bay.

This week the New South Wales government finally rolled out details of its EV Ready grant program that was announced in late 2022 to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative targets residential strata buildings and aims to assist in the deployment of EV charging infrastructure. Why Is the EV Ready Grant Program…

Revving Up the Future of Parking

The outlook conference 2023 panel interview.

On October 11, 2023, Parking Australia hosted our bi-annual Conference, Outlook 2023 in Sydney at the International Convention Centre, alongside National Roads and Traffic and eMobility Live – which attracted crowds of close to 10,000 people. As a board director since 2021 and as current President, I was absolutely delighted with the entire event of…

How Sustainable Parking differentiates your building and increase its value

A modern tower building with a touch of sustainability.

In Australia, as in many other parts of the world, sustainability is becoming a cornerstone for commercial real estate success. With increasing number of consumers and investors prioritising eco-friendly choices, sustainability is not just a buzzword—it’s a business strategy. For commercial property owners and managers, embracing sustainability offers a twofold advantage: brand differentiation and enhanced…

The Advantages of EV Charging at Your Workplace

A white car owned by an employee is charging in the newly installed EV Charging port.

As Electric vehicles (EVs)  accelerate us towards a cleaner and more sustainable world, businesses aim to align their strategies with sustainability. One aspect of their Environmental impact – installing EV charging stations at the workplace is becoming an increasingly popular trend – as it both satisfies ESG goals, while also enhancing employee satisfaction. In this…

The Rise of EVs and the Need for EV Charging Etiquette

EV-chargers-in-an-apartment-building

Finding an available electric vehicle charging bay when you need it has become critical with the accelerating popularity of EVs.  As the world increasingly embraces sustainable energy, electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly gaining popularity. Today, over 1.8 million publicly accessible charging points are available, 37% increase in 2021 compared to the previous year [1]. However,…

Enhancing Access Control with Bollards: Securing Safety

The Parking bollards are installed in front of a mall

Bollards are a vital part of access control when it comes to managing parking spaces and protecting pedestrian security. These durable structures serve as a practical way to control traffic, protect restricted areas, and preserve a safe area. We will discuss how parking bollards can significantly improve parking solutions, creating a more efficient and safe…

How to be EV ready in your Strata Building

ev-charging-in-a-strata-building

With the rising popularity of EVs, it’s essential for strata communities to create an environment that supports sustainable transportation, including electric vehicles (EVs). In this article we address the key issues that strata buildings need to think about and and step-by-step guide to becoming EV Ready. New Regulations about EV charging in strata buildings Effective…

Electric Robotaxis have arrived

An electric autonomous robotaxi is now operating in the highway.

In recent years, the automotive industry has witnessed a significant transformation with the emergence of electric autonomous vehicles. A groundbreaking development in this realm is the introduction of electric autonomous robotaxis in the United States. In this blog we’ll provide an informative overview of the rollout of these innovative vehicles, drawing insights from various sources[1][2][3]….

In Tokyo you need proof of parking before you buy a car!

The busiest central highway of Tokyo with Thousands of car running everyday

Are you considering buying a car in Tokyo? While you may think all you need is money to pay and a driver’s license, that’s not all in Tokyo. You also need to show proof of having a parking space before you even buy a car! The city of Tokyo implemented this unique policy to reduce…

The Top 10 Coolest Car Parks in the world

two cars beside the earth with famous tourist attraction in the world.

Dull, grey, and unexciting … Blah! Car parks generally don’t have a very reputation for being cool, creative or having inspiring design. But we’ve scoured the globe to bring you the top 10 most creative and interesting car parks. And with this, we’ll change your perception of these usually overlooked spaces. From multi-level structures to…

How Reserved Parking Reduces Carbon Emissions

Hundreds of car are parking in an open field parking space.

In our fast-paced world, reserved parking space is already considered because finding a parking spot can be frustrating. Cruising in search of an available parking space is tough! It not only wastes time and adds stress to our daily lives but also has a significant impact on the environment. However, with the advent of smart…

The Benefits of Car Sharing

smiling-woman-exiting-car-sharing-vehicle-uber-evee-ohmie-go

Finding sustainable transport options is more crucial than ever in today’s fast-paced world. One innovative alternative is car sharing. As a well-liked substitute for traditional car ownership, car sharing benefits the environment significantly. This is especially the case as urbanization and traffic congestion rapidly increase. When you car share, it has a beneficial impact on…

How to make a bollard blend in

coloured-painted-bollards-to-blend-in-to-art-gallery

Bollards are used as a practical solution to improve safety in some environments and to control the traffic in others. However, let’s face it, sometimes they are a bit of an eyesore. And those bollards stand out like a sore thumb – and not in the attractive, appealing kind of way!  Here we’ll teach you…

How to paint a rusty bollard

woman-painting-a-rusty-bollard

Are you tired of looking at those boring rusty bollards in your parking basement that don’t pass the attractive aesthetic check??  Well, don’t worry! We’re going to bring some colour, order and spice, into your lives (literally!!). In this blog we’ll teach you how to paint a rusty bollard. Painting a bollard is not as…

How to Remove Bollards

man-showing-how-to-safely-remove-bollards

In today’s help article, we’re going to show you how to remove bollards safely. W H Y do you need to know how to remove bollards? Bollards are frequently employed to regulate traffic in public areas, both for vehicles and for pedestrians. However they occaionally cause trouble or get in the way. Or other times…

The Top 10 Benefits of Smart Parking Bollards in Your Residential Building

thatsmyspot extra tall smartphone parking bollards installed in an underground parking basement in sydney

Parking management is a common problem for strata managers and residents in residential buildings. Unauthorised parking, limited visitor spaces, and lack of control over who parks where can lead to frustration and even conflict! In this post, we’ll take a look at the top 10 benefits of smart parking bollards for your residential strata building….

Work with your Owners Corporation to Solve Parking Problems

owners-corporation-and-body-corporate-meeting-to-discuss-parking

Are you part of an Owners Corporation in a strata building and you receive calls from residents who can’t park? You know the calls – from tenants, staff or owners who are irate. Because someone has parked in their parking spot again? Or because someone is overstaying in visitor parking? You know the ones! Do…

Why are Safety Bollards required at Fire Exits in Australia

Pink-safety-bollards-outside-a-blue-wall-and-fire-exit

Why Are Safety Bollards Required at Fire Exits in Australia  Hopefully you’ve never had to face trying to escape from a building in case of an emergency. But if you have, it’s pretty stressful and alarming ! That’s why Australian safety standards require buildings to install safety bollards at fire exits. Safety bollards at fire…

How to Assess EV Charging for Your Strata Building

ev-charging-made-easy-with-little-girl-in-front-of-EV-charger

Electric vehicle (EV) usage is on the rise, and with it, the need for convenient and reliable EV charging infrastructure. If you’re a strata building owner or manager, you might be wondering where to start with EV charging installation in your strata building. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll go over…

What’s the best Bollard for your Parking Space?

Parking spot bollards are a crucial instrument in traffic management and pedestrian safety in high traffic regions. For the purpose of separating lanes of traffic and establishing distinct borders for automobiles and other vehicles, these strong, cylindrical posts are used. It might be challenging to decide which style of bollard is best for your parking…

Bollard Maintenance: Taking care of bollards

How to Install a Parking Bollard | Step-by-Step Guide

Bollards are an important safety feature, whether in parking lots or in pedestrian areas. They serve as a physical barrier, preventing collisions between buildings, pedestrians, and vehicles. However, in order for them to continue doing their job effectively, you need to make sure you properly maintain them. This blog post covers bollard maintenance and care…

Preventing ICEing: Smart Parking Bollards as a Solution 

thatsmyspot Remote Parking bollards installed in EV charging bays at Wilson parking in Melbourne to prevent ICEing and non-ev drivers parking in those EV charging bays

As vehicle (EV) popularity accelerates, it’s more important than ever to keep EV charging stations accessible for drivers. This is a key focus for parking operators and buildings equipped with EV charging infrastructure. One major roadblock? ICEing – when non-EV vehicles park in EV charging spots, or when EVs misuse these bays, and park there…

What are Australia’s No Parking Rules?

A woman and a man in a car, both smiling. The woman appears joyful, and the man gives a thumbs-up, conveying excitement and happiness.

Australian councils and governments have implemented no parking rules and install parking signs to remind drivers where they can and can’t park. Parking signs that enforce no parking rules must comply with Australian standards to make them easy to understand. And this is not always an easy thing to do!   These signs typically have…

President of Parking Australia – Vision for Smarter Parking & Industry Collaboration

Angelique Mentis elected President of Parking Australia 2025

An honour to serve as President for Parking Australia with my fellow directors and CEO. In my role as President of Parking Australia, we will engage in significant community engagement, and want to hear from YOU. What are the biggest challenges you face with parking? How can our association help you? What else would you like us…

What is a bollard?

Heavy-duty-black-steel-security-bollards

Have you ever got stuck accidentally running into a lane delineator when searching for a parking spot in a jam-packed parking lot? Have you ever hit a signage pole when trying to reverse into a parking spot in the basement of a building? Car parks these days guide traffic and parking with various hardware, such…

Flying Cars in Smart Cities – Benefits, Challenges, Future Trends

electric flying car in smart cities

What is the role of flying cars in smart cities of the future? How are flying cars in smart cities a significant component of urban air mobility? How do flying cars fit within an overriding transport mobility strategy in smart cities? In our last blog we talked about the recent launch of two new flying…

Flying Cars: The Future of Urban Air Mobility (Xpeng X2 & Wisk Aero)

Futuristic drone aircraft hovers over an industrial landscape with mountains and cranes. The scene conveys a sense of innovation and advancement.

When Henry Ford first invented the motor cars in 1896, he was revolutionary. After all, when he asked people what they wanted, they responded with “faster horses”!  Yet he was an innovator. A disruptor. The same is now true for the innovators working on flying cars. Will flying cars become an integral part of the…

Common pitfalls to avoid in parking design

Green and orange indoor parking station with good parking design

Parking isn’t the most foremost consideration with new building design. It’s generally not the first thing that parking owners think about when they’re thinking about efficient construction. Parking bollards, help solve pitfalls to avoid in parking design. They will play a bigger part in the future mobility landscape. In this blog, we discuss common pitfalls…

The Geelong Bollard Trail Walk

lifesavers-bollards-geelong-bollard-walk

The Geelong Bollard Trail Walk is a walking trail that features bollard sculptures representing scenes and people from Geelong’s history. The trail was created in response to community demand, and the bollards were constructed over a period of five years. Here at that’s MY spot, we will provide an enlightening look at Geelong’s past. Geelong…

How to Effectively Manage Multi-tenanted Parking Allocation

woman-overlooking-city-streets

What is Multi-Tenanted Parking? Multi-tenanted parking is when multiple tenants, either commercial business or residential apartment owners, share the same parking facilities. Commercial How it works In a commercial setting, each tenant is assigned a certain number of parking spots and they are responsible for managing their own employees or customers’ vehicles and who is…

Are Women Better at Controlling Driverless Cars?

A woman and man sit in a car, both smiling cheerfully. The woman looks at the camera, while the man gives a thumbs-up, conveying joy and excitement.

Research study shows that women are better at controlling autonomous cars The age-old heated topic – who are better drivers? Women or Men? According to some new and interesting research published by Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, when it comes to driverless cars,  W O M E N are better drivers! How the study…

How to Paint a Car Park: The Ultimate Guide

Line Marking in a Car Park If you are planning to paint lines in a car park, you should always opt for the highest quality paint. Asphalt is a good option which prevents paint for sticking to it. This article will guide you how to look at what are the best paint for car park….

Visitor Parking in Residential Apartments – a Case Study

melbourne-apartment-building-with-visitor-parking-problems

The problem with visitor parking …… There always seems to be a problem with visitor parking in residential apartments, especially for strata – and it’s only getting worse. A wonderful new residential apartment building in Melbourne as part of a new development. With 36 visitor parking bays servicing over 230 apartments, as the apartments in…

Why is Parking Enforcement a Challenge for Apartments?

Anyone in strata knows that no matter how many signs you put up, parking in apartments is going to be a problem. From misuse, to insufficient quantities, to the ever-evolving needs of apartment residents – such as parking minimums or EV charging compatibility requirements. Effective management of parking is never easy, but why is that?…

Have We Worked Out How To Charge EVs in an Apartment Building?

Row of modern townhouses with gray siding and white garage doors, each featuring balconies. Sunlit scene with a neat, suburban feel.

If you’re lucky enough to own an electric car, you probably know that one of the challenges is finding a place to charge it. While there are public charging stations out there, it’s also possible and even necessary to charge your EV at home. This is because recharging an electric vehicle takes a lot longer…

How can Parking Bollards stop ICEing EV charging bays?

large trucks and cars ICEing-EV-charging-bays

What is ICEing? ICEing is a common acronym used in the world of EVs. It describes when an Internal Combustion Engine (“ICE”) (=petrol or diesel) vehicle parks in an EV charging bay. Clearly the petrol/diesel engine doesn’t need to use the EV charger, so it’s commonly referred to as ICEing. Because it has BLOCKED or…

How to Stop Illegal Parking on Private Property in New South Wales 

wheel clamp with parking sign

According to the New South Wales government, key responsibility of managing illegal parking lies with the landowners, managers, and occupiers of said property. It is advised that landowners take reasonable precautions and measures to deter illegal parking on private property. This can be done through various security measures, including clear and visible signage to inform…

Case Study – Hotels and Hospitality

Night view of a luxury beachfront resort with a glowing blue pool, surrounded by palm trees. A curved building overlooks the sea under a deep blue sky.

Hotels and hospitality venues generate a lot of traffic as they entertain guests coming and going throughout the day. Naturally, this allows for people and vehicles to gather in the venues parking bay, which becomes a contested resource among patrons. The more traffic that exists in these public spaces the more safety equipment becomes necessary…

Parking Bollards – The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

Folding bollards to protect car parking spots

Overview of Bollards Bollards cover a wide range of uses in various environments. From parking bollards that solve common and persistent car park pain points, to steel bollards that cover asset protection and improve safety, each type offers an efficient service. A bollard shop will host a wide range of security solutions, from parking bollards…

Disability Parking Permits in Victoria – Eligibility, Rules & Proper Use

disability parking bays

We have seen a rise in a particular kind of client for our durable parking bollards – those who require access to disability parking bays. People who carry a disability permit require select bays as they are closer to exits and entrances, have higher visibility surrounding them, and are made to be wider to cater…

Are Electric Cars more cost-effective?

Here at That’s My Spot,  We love technological innovation.   We love simplifying daily tasks. We love seamless and stress-free parking. We love reducing our carbon footprint! And we incorporate these passions into our products.  Take our Automatic bollards for example. Did you know that an average driver wastes 17 hours a year just cruising for parking,…

Parking Bollards for Every Problem: Do Any of These “Bad Parkers” Sound Familiar To You?

Bad parkers

We frequently get asked this question. What are the different types of bollards available and in what situation would you choose them? There are as many different types of parking bollards as there are parking problems. To illustrate this, we’ve placed the different types of bollards into some of the various “bad parker” scenarios they…

Parking at twice the cost of a new luxury car??

Parking_with_dollar_sign

Did you know ….? The record for the most expensive parking spot in Sydney doubles the cost of a brand new Porsche Cayenne? Are you ready for this? The record for the most expensive sale of a car parking space in Sydney is a whopping total of $ $264,000. Bet you didn’t realise a parking…

Can a Formula 1 Racing Car Drive Upside Down? 🏎️🏎️ 💨💨

Formula-1-car-driving-upside-down

FUN FACT: Can a Formula 1 car really drive upside down? 🏎️💨 According to the Formula 1 Official website, the answer is YES. A modern Formula One car is capable of developing 3.5g lateral cornering force (three and a half times its own weight) thanks to aerodynamic downforce. That means, that theoretically, at high speeds…

Visitor Parking: What can you do when residents abuse?

Angry man driving car thatsmyspot parking bollards for visitor parking and commercial parking and industrial parking and hotel parking and EV charging

In our last blog we explained who can, and how they should, use visitor parking bays in a residential strata building. What can you do when residents and owners abuse visitor parking bays in residential strata buildings? Parking their own vehicles there excessively? 😡😡😡 There’s a series of things the Owners Corporation can legally do…

Strata parking – who’s who in the Parking Zoo?

how_to_manage_parking_in_strata_buildings_

Parking spaces in residential strata buildings are a very sensitive and often hotly contested topic. Most strata buildings have parking spaces allocated to residential lots and a few visitor parking spaces. In New South Wales, for example, the New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment, has issued SEPP 65 and the Apartment Design Guide…

Challenging behaviour that infuriates people accessing disabled parking

disabled parking bays painted with green extra long access zone and blue with extra width zone which could be fitted with thatsmyspot parking bollards to ensure only authorised disabled drivers get access

Disabled parking bays are often designed with shared access bays next to them. These are generally either cross-hatched or marked out as shared space, so people don’t park right next to the disabled parking bay. These shared access bays are to allow access for wheelchair ramps to be opened from a car, but often other…

Off-street parking solutions – how the latest technology is improving the way we park

colourful-indoor-parking-lot-saint-gervais-paris

Is traditional on-street parking on the way out? Since COVID, in early 2020, cities across the world vastly reduced on-street parking to allow for improved social distancing. So has this started the beginning of a global shift away from on-street parking? MIT Professor, Eran Ben-Joseph estimates there are 800 million surface parking spaces in the…

How to Install a Parking Bollard

How to Install a Parking Bollard | Step-by-Step Guide

YAY! You’re excited now you’ve found a solution to stop other people parking in your parking spot! A parking bollard from thatsmyspot to protect your parking space. And now, how to install it? Easy as! 😀😀😀 Like taking the stress out of your parking pain, we make it simple to install as well. All our…

Solving your parking pain points ! 😡😡😡

Angry man driving car thatsmyspot parking bollards for visitor parking and commercial parking and industrial parking and hotel parking and EV charging

ISN’T IT SO FRUSTRATING WHEN SOMEONE PARKS IN YOUR PARKING SPOT SO YOU CAN’T USE IT! SOLUTION: INSTALL A PARKING BOLLARD! 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 OMG – HOW FRUSTRATING is it when you pull up in your own designated parking space, whether at work or home, and some inconsiderate sod has decided that they would just find it…

Connected Mobility 103 … Smart Roads

city-held-in-hand-on-smartphone

Every year A$3.37 billion is lost to traffic congestion in Australia’s busiest capital cities & increasing with population growth. Proving “smart roads” – by retrofitting our existing highways with smart sensors & cameras, into either the surface or overhead, our transport agencies gain the ability to monitor the traffic flow, ground conditions & overall performance…

Why use parking bollards?

row of remote control parking bollards installed in a childcare centre carpark in Sydney

In many areas where both pedestrians and vehicles use similar spaces, parking bollards should be used. The reason they are used is strategic – to protect both people and assets. They are designed to both protect and manage designated parking areas for vehicles, and also to provide safe designated areas for pedestrians to use. Protecting…

Connected Mobility 102 … Features of a Connected Vehicle

Features_of_a_connected_vehicle

Moving on from last week… exploring some of the smart features incorporated in a connected vehicle. Such as: Connected vehicles can also: With all these smart features and functionality, connected mobility is revolutionizing on-road travel. Do these excite you? Please let me know at angelique@thatsmyspot.com.au #transportmobility #connectedmobility

Connected Mobility 101: What is it and what does it mean?

What_is_connected_mobility

Connected Mobility is the term used to describe the ability of various modes of transport to be integrally connected to a seamless platform… So that these disparate systems can communicate with each other, sharing data, and improving the efficiency and user experience of an entire transport mobility network. Think Smart Transport. What’s more … It…

When something is important enough to do, you do it even if the odds are not in your favor … Elon Musk

elon-musk-quote-when-something-is-important-enough-you-do-it-even-if-the-odds-are-not-in-your-favor

12 years ago… When I created thatsMYspot.com.au… It was to solve an underlying problem I experienced. Although the odds were not in our favor (as no one else had come up with a simple solution to parking problems)… It was important for me to find a solution. Here’s why: My time is valuable, and so is…

5 future trends for our cities that COVID has taught us

5 future trends for our cities that COVID has taught us | thatsmyspot

Our behaviours in cities have changed. That’s a no brainer. Propelling us to improve urban planning… To accommodate the necessary physical and social distancing changes. These are 5 of the clear future trends for our cities that COVID has taught us, and we adapted in 2020. 1. We CYCLE AND WALK MORE… so local governments…

What’s your biggest bug-bear YOU face when it comes to parking?

What's your biggest pain point in parking?

So this week I thought I would ask you What is the biggest bug-bear YOU face when it comes to parking. Is it … When someone steals your parking spot? When someone parks in your designated parking spot in your apartment or office building? When residents in the strata building you manage park endlessly in…

Self-Driving vehicles and Food Trucks; technology to feed our hungry 💡🚚 🍔

Smart Linden autonomous food truck

Introducing the Self-Driving Food Truck. We love vehicle self-driving vehicle technology that can support our homeless and feed our hungry. Since early 2020, each and every one of us has experienced the dire impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The economic effects of millions of job losses, businesses closing, crippling unemployment rates, soaring homelessness, and poverty…

What Does Working From Home Mean For Your Parking?

Stephanie and Rosie working from home | thatsmyspot

Is working from home the new future of Australia’s corporate workforce culture? Even on a part-time basis? To date, it seems as though Australians have adapted and embraced it well. When companies like Atlassian announce that they will no longer require their employees to return to the office for work even after the pandemic ends,…

Faster horses? Innovation in the auto industry

thatsmyspot autonomous vehicles self-drivig vehciles

785 words. Approx 4-5 min read “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” This quote, attributed to Henry T Ford, illustrates just how far innovation in the automotive industry has come. The last decade has seen massive technological transformation in the auto industry. Most recently with electric vehicles,…

How We Can More Sustainably Share Parking

thatsmyspot Sustainable parking aerial view of parking lot with trees

The long-term impacts of coronavirus on our cities are difficult to predict but history teaches us that adversity has been hugely influential in shaping our cities. Our cities will inevitably endure, adapt, and grow. However, it is our critical thinking and the subsequent action steps that we take to accommodate pandemic type fears, that will impact…

5 simple tips to “happify”​ your customers’​ parking experience 😁 😁 😁

Happify your parking experience

Thought of the day for my fellow parking industry gurus… What have you done to make a difference to happify your customers’ parking experience…? Hope we’ve been able to add a 😁 to your day. Article takes 3-4 minutes to read, approx 760 words On average, drivers will waste 17 hours a year looking for…

How To Make Off-Street Parking More Affordable in Australia

thatsmyspot parking solutions

Parkopedia recently released their 2019 Global Parking Index Report, and their findings for off-street parking in Australia are well … rather expensive! Source 1.   Australia is the most expensive country in the world for daily off-street parking with the average Australian daily cost of off-street parking in 2019 (in car-parks that are both privately and publicly owned) at…