The National Parking Platform: making parking simple

Jonathan Allan, head of learning innovation and research at the British Parking Association, explains how the NPP connects existing systems to offer a consistent, simplified experience for drivers, reduce costs for councils, and foster innovation in the digital parking space

The problem

For years the experience of paying for parking via mobile apps at local authority-operated parking sites across the UK has been inconsistent, fragmented, and often frustrating for drivers. Each local council tends to contract with different parking app providers, resulting in a patchwork of systems that vary from town to town and even between car parks within the same city. This fragmented system not only causes inconvenience and stress for drivers but also undermines trust in digital parking solutions. It can discourage visits to town centres, impacting local businesses and tourism.

What is the National Parking Platform (NPP)? - It’s not an app!

The NPP is an agnostic platform designed to simplify parking for everyone. It integrates various parking services and technologies to provide a seamless experience for users. It is not an app but a system that operates behind existing parking apps, linking them to a wide range of car parks and on-street parking across the UK. This means that drivers can use their preferred parking apps at any participating car park, creating a consistent and convenient parking experience.

How does the tech work?

The NPP is based on an international data standard called the Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS). This is a global initiative formed by the British Parking Association (BPA), the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI), and the European Parking Association (EPA). It aims to create a uniform, global standard for parking data to enable seamless data sharing across platforms.

What does APDS cover?

The Alliance for Parking Data Standards (APDS) covers data elements and definitions – it establishes a common language for parking and mobility data. It covers interoperability, ensuring different systems work together smoothly and real-time data sharing, managing parking availability, pricing, and enforcement. APDS covers integration of technology, it supports seamless integration of various platforms. It also covers sustainability, promoting efficient use of parking assets and global adoption, being recognised globally as an ISO standard.

What does the NPP mean for local authorities?

The NPP offers a unified system that connects hundreds of parking sites, allowing drivers to use their preferred apps for payments and services. This eliminates the need for multiple apps and accounts, creating a seamless parking experience across different regions. For local authorities, this means improved efficiency – the NPP simplifies the management of parking services by providing a centralised platform for data exchange and digital payments, reducing administrative workload and lowering operational costs for local authorities. It offers enhanced customer experience, by enabling compatibility with a wide range of parking apps, the NPP allows users to choose their preferred parking app, increasing convenience and satisfaction. The new platform offers better data and insight, facilitating the collection and analysis of parking data, enabling local authorities to make informed decisions, implement effective policies and better manage urban mobility.

The NPP supports seamless interoperability between different parking operators and service providers, reducing fragmentation and enabling a more cohesive service delivery.

With simplified onboarding, local authorities can join the NPP without undergoing lengthy, complex procurement processes, accelerating adoption and reducing associated costs. The NPP enhances service resilience by supporting multiple parking apps. If one app fails, users can quickly switch to another, ensuring uninterrupted access to parking services.

The NPP fosters an open market for new service providers, encouraging innovation and competition while offering users a wider range of choices.

Is the NPP a government-run initiative?

The NPP originated as an initiative by the Department for Transport and has since evolved into a not-for-profit company. It is governed by a board of elected representatives, including local authorities, service providers, and the British Parking Association. This collaborative governance model ensures the platform remains responsive to stakeholder needs and continues to develop based on user feedback.

How can local authorities sign up?

Joining the NPP is straightforward and involves a few key steps. This first is the application: local authorities need to submit a membership application, undergo basic due diligence, and sign a connection contract. Next comes the service setup: once approved, authorities can begin setting up their services on the platform. Finally comes the ongoing participation: membership is open-ended and voluntary, allowing authorities to participate in key decisions.

Will the NPP replace cash and other forms of parking payments?

No, the NPP does not aim to remove existing payment machines. Instead, it allows equipment providers like pay and display machines to integrate their systems, offering benefits like improved occupancy and availability data. This means that drivers can continue to use cash and other traditional payment methods if they prefer.

How does the NPP improve the experience for drivers and customers?

The NPP allows customers to use their preferred parking app at any participating car park, with no need to download a new app when travelling to a different area. This creates a consistent, seamless parking experience across the UK. 

As long as a driver’s preferred app is integrated with the NPP, they can continue using it wherever the platform is active. The NPP currently works with Appyway, RingGo, Pay by Phone, APCOA Connect, and Just Park.

Is it more expensive for customers to park using NPP?

No, all parking charges are set through Local Authorities via Traffic Regulations Orders (TROs), the platform supports fair and transparent pricing. Since apps are competing for customers, we expect the fees they charge for their services to go down.

Can the app help customers who move across local authority boundaries frequently?

Absolutely. NPP is designed to eliminate fragmentation, allowing customers to park, pay, and manage their journeys across multiple towns and cities without switching apps or creating new accounts.

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