JOHOR BARU: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia has developed a parking payment method that uses a text message (SMS) system, which will be implemented for 20,000 parking lots under the Johor Baru Central Municipal Council (MBJBT) beginning April 1.
The 'SMSParkir' based on a state-of-the-art information and communication technology infrastructure, was developed by a research team led by UTM Faculty of Electrical Engineering's Prof Dr Sevia M. Idrus.
It will enable the public to pay their parking fees by sending an SMS or through a free mobile phone app without the use of coupons.
"The payment is done by deducting the parking fee from the mobile phone user's prepaid or postpaid account through SMS or through the mobile app.
"Users need to text information of their vehicle plate number, parking lot number and parking duration to a 5 digit short code.
"UTM has also developed a device that prints out the fines issued to motorists using this system," she said after the Synergy Symposium involving institutes of higher learning, industry and the Johor government at the Sultan Ibrahim Chancellory Building in UTM, Skudai today.
Sevia said the new parking system was part of UTM's effort in improving the effective parking operation using mobile phones.
She said the system was expected to be adopted by other local councils in Johor by the end of the year before it was expanded to local councils throughhout Pahang and Terengganu.