Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates is set to roll out a new ‘barrierless parking’ system in partnership with Parkin PJSC, marking a significant step in enhancing parking accessibility for millions of shoppers.
The advanced parking system, which aims to streamline the entry and exit process at the mall, will also be extended to City Centre Deira and City Centre Mirdif in the near future.
Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Properties, the developer behind Mall of the Emirates, announced the upcoming system in October 2023, with initial plans to launch it by January 1, 2024.
However, the exact start date has yet to be disclosed. This new system promises to eliminate the need for traditional barriers, offering a smoother parking experience to visitors.
With over 20 million cars passing through these malls each year, the ‘barrierless’ system is expected to alleviate congestion and improve traffic flow in the parking areas, which collectively offer 21,000 parking spaces.
The system will rely on state-of-the-art sensors and cameras, which will automatically track each vehicle’s progress, capturing license plate information to monitor the duration of stays.
As drivers enter the parking facility, they will receive instant notifications via SMS or the Parkin app, detailing the cost of parking. Visitors can pay directly through the app or Parkin’s website, avoiding any long queues or delays.
“Our smart systems will reduce congestion and enable smooth traffic flow, enhancing the overall customer experience at some of the busiest and well-known retail locations in Dubai,” said Mohamed Abdulla Al Ali, CEO of Parkin, when the initiative was first announced.
Despite the shift to barrierless technology, there will be no immediate change to the parking fees. MAF Properties confirmed that parking at Mall of the Emirates will remain free for the first four hours, City Centre Deira for the first three hours, and parking at City Centre Mirdif will also remain free.
Additionally, visitors who transact in one of the malls’ stores will still have the option of validating their ticket to waive off fees for extended stays.
Khalifa Bin Braik, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management, clarified that the main goal of the partnership with Parkin is to better manage and regulate parking at the malls, rather than introducing fee increases. “The charges will remain as they are,” he said, reassuring customers about the unchanged pricing structure.
This move follows similar efforts seen at other Dubai shopping centers, including Dubai Mall, which already operates a barrierless parking system with automatic fee deductions via Salik user accounts.
However, the system at Mall of the Emirates is set to offer even more seamless integration, making parking easier and faster for customers.
By utilizing the latest parking technology, the new system is not only a step toward more efficient mall operations but also a reflection of the growing trend toward smart city solutions in the UAE.
With its large number of visitors, Mall of the Emirates stands to benefit greatly from the enhanced traffic management, contributing to a more pleasant and less stressful shopping experience.