Background
Westfield Shopping Towns operates one of the world’s largest shopping centre portfolios, managing all aspects of shopping centre development, from design & construction through to leasing, management and marketing. Its objective is to own and operate the best and most productive assets, and create value by increasing return on equity through a more capital efficient business.
When Westfield London opened its doors for business in 2008 it was the largest shopping centre in the UK, incorporating a 4,500 space car park.
Customer Requirement
At the very outset consideration was given to the design and construction of parking facilities. Critically the car park had to provide sufficient parking spaces, be easy to access and result in no detrimental impact on the surrounding area.
Westfield developed a comprehensive technology strategy in order to evaluate potential suppliers of equipment that would enable the efficient and effective management of their car parks.
APT Solution
APT Skidata was selected to provide access and payment management systems for the car parks. The pay-on-foot system comprised of;
- 13 entry columns and barriers
- 13 exit columns and barriers
- 33 payment machines
All equipment was connected off the IP backbone centre to a Skidata management server. The Skidata system also had to interface with a complex internal car park space-finding and assigning system.
In 2010 APT was approached once again to provide a solution that would protect the entry and exit points of the service delivery areas against a hostile vehicle borne attack. Working closely with both Westfield and the consultants involved, APT Security Systems provided a design brief and was subsequently sub-awarded a contract to supply and install anti terrorist PAS 68:2010 road blockers and bollards.
Result
APT Skidata installed and commissioned the access and payment management systems that allow Westfield to successfully operate parking facilities continue to generate substantial revenue.
Whilst the solution provided by APT Security Systems offers protection in the event of a vehicle borne terrorist attack on the Westfield site.
