Parking Guidance And Information System

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

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Abstract— Parking is almost limited and expensive in every metropolitan city of the world. Finding a vacant car parking space is becoming difficult owing to the fact that innovative parking system has not gained much popularity especially in some developing countries. With a prolific increase in number of public as well as private transportation on the road, traffic problems bound to exist. To make this problem almost obsolete, Smart Parking Systems must be implemented so that commuters can find a vacant parking space and park their vehicles with much ease. In this paper, we describe what a Smart Parking System is all about, its need and how it can be implemented using various innovative techniques and in which areas research work needs to be conducted.

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Introduction

To search a vacant car parking area in every major city of the world is itself very time consuming as well as results in traffic congestion and air pollution since vehicle cruise in a certain area only for a vacant parking space. Situation is mainly worsened by the fact that roads are comparatively narrower than western countries [1]. A study in [2] shows that during peak hours in many big cities, traffic caused due to vehicles takes up to 40% of the total traffic. This causes wastage of time and fuel and leads to driver’s frustration. To make such traffic congestion less intense, many Smart Parking Systems are deployed to provide convenient and hassle-free parking.

These Smart Parking Systems aim to solve the above mentioned problems face by commuters. Innovative parking is considered to be of much importance for car park operators and for patrons as well [1]. The information provided by this system efficiently reduces travel time and time required for searching a parking space. The space utilization can be increased and intelligent management can be achieved with the help of wireless communication in these Smart Parking Systems. With the proper enforcement of subsystems, illegal parking leading to traffic congestion and problems related to vehicle thefts can be reduced to a greater extent. A parking process can be considered as a birth-death stochastic process from the management’s point of view [3].

Parking Guidance and Information System

PGI is a parking technology that guides and provides information about the availability of parking spaces located in major cities. Information, ranged from "empty" or "full" lot, to the number of availability, or to the exact location of available spaces, are displayed at various spots so that drivers can make better decision[1]. PGI includes either the entire city area or function only within the car park facility [2].PGI along the city assists the commuters to know about the status of parking areas throughout the city paired with other relevant information. While PGI within a particular parking area helps in locating the vacant parking slots. Both the techniques present driver with dynamic information on parking within controlled areas and direct them to appropriate parking spots [5]. Parking information can be displayed on variable message signs (VMS) which make use of sensors deployed at the parking lots. These VMS are deployed at major roads streets and intersection or it may be disseminated through the internet [3] [4].

Various implementation methods can be adopted for parking guidance. The system in Shinjuku and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania segregates the city into color coded areas for in providing guidance [6] [1].In [7] the author describes that the PGI implements shortest path algorithm to calculate the shortest distance from parking berth to nearest preferred entrance. The system operates by monitoring the availability of vehicle berth and making the information collected available for patrons and car-park operator. In [11] a parking management subsystem is used to which data is sent, processed and forwarded to database module via gateway transceiver module associated with the subsystem. The database module stores the event based on sensor data and display the corresponding information on the parking lot GUI. Smart Parking Assist System (SPAS) in [12], includes 16 sensor nodes, 4 guiding node, 3 parking lots. Sensor node check the status of parking spaces and send the report to the MCU(AVR Controller) which transmits the status information to Parking Status Display Unit(PSDU) .The system makes use of LED to indicate whether the respective is free or not.

Internet also plays a major role in guiding commuters to available parking areas. Drivers can also access the central system via mobile phones. GPS(Global Positioning System) in [8] maps the driver’s current position based on GPS data along with the status of three of the nearby car-park are sent to the mobile phone based on commuter’s current location. Other technology used for guidance includes GIS technology [9] which disseminates to users via Internet, mobile phones. In [5] a Smartphone application is developed through which drivers interact with the "smart parking" system.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology developed in recent years. The RFID reader reads the encoded information of RF card via radio frequency technology and this information is sent to computer via USB interface [13].In [5], the system performs ID checking using RFID technology for off-street parking. RFID tags in [10] are used for guidance so that commuters can locate the assigned parking slot easily.

Critical observation Parking Guidance and Information System consists of different approaches through which drivers can get access to the critical information related to the parking area in a very convenient way via VMS. This can be further improved by using user interfaces such as Smartphone apps via internet to get better parking information.

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Occupancy Monitoring

Car parking occupancy monitoring plays a very critical role in assisting the drivers on the fly and within car parking area. This can be done by detecting the vehicles in the car parking area using various techniques such as deployment of sensors.

Vehicle Detection Techniques Vehicle sensors and detectors are broadly classified into 2 categories which are:

Intrusive sensors

Non-intrusive sensors

Intrusive Sensors

These sensors are the ones which lead to the invasive procedures of installation. Typically these sensors are installed in the holes on the road surfaces, tunneling under the road surfaces and these can be installed easily on the ground and the ceiling of the car park. There are different types of the sensors available on the basis of the costs, environmental conditions, calibration, accuracy, range implementation and on the design basis. They are Infrared sensors, Inductive Loops, magnetometers, magneto resistive sensors. These types of sensors generally require the cuts on the roads or on the ceiling for the installation and thus may indirectly lead in reducing the life of these roads or ceiling whenever they are being installed.

Infrared sensors

This type of sensors is used for finding the empty spaces on different floors. Infrared sensors detect the vehicles by emitting the infrared energy and thus detect on the basis of the amount of the energy that is reflected. By using this sensor the accurate position of vehicle, speed is detected. Problem arises in this sensor at the time of the snow and dense fog which may affect the operation of the sensor.

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Acoustic Sensors

Acoustic sensors are the ones which perform detection of the vehicles on the basis of sound produced by the vehicles through the microphones installed for the detection of the vehicles. The acoustic sensors thus has an advantage that they can support multiple lane operations but the complication arises in the area of data accuracy at the time of the cold temperature and also a few specific acoustic sensor models are not recommended for the slow moving vehicles in stop and go traffic.

Video Image Processor

It usually comprises of one or more cameras, software for image interpretation and microprocessor based computing. It is typically used to monitor multiple lanes or zones and can easily add or modify detection zones. For surveillance, it is available in many parking lot. CCTV cameras can be cost effective only if good lighting is available. But some models are affected by `camera motions due to bad weather conditions like winds. This is the reason that most Smart Parking Systems do not deploy them for detection of vehicles.

Critical Observation: An indispensible element of smart parking system are the vehicle detectors and play a very crucial role in detecting a vehicle in parking areas so that updated information can be provided to commuters.

Innovative Advancements

Parking through User Interface

To find a parking space in most metropolitan areas especially during the rush hours is difficult for drivers. So by periodically knowing the parking status from the sensors deployed in parking areas, the reservation service is affected by the change in physical parking status [1].Using an advanced technology, a commuter may enquire about availability of parking space or make a parking reservation at a given destination and pay online. The system is accessed through a variety of methods like mobile phones or internet. Required information can be provided to the commuter before or during making a trip to the car parking area.

In [2] a smart phone application is built through which driver interacts with the smart parking system by logging in with a unique ID and driver’s general information such as license number, credit card number etc .The system reserves an optimal parking space for a driver based on the user’s requirements that combine proximity to destination and parking cost. A study in [3] reveals options of using the internet through WAP(wireless application protocol) enabled mobile phones in addition to SMS service for drivers to access the information and reserving the parking space.

In [4] the paper describes the reservation of the parking spot by using a software interface called Extensible Markup Language(XML) which displays the available slots in a user friendly manner. In this system, the reservation order consists of reserved parking slot, a timestamp and transaction expiration time information. The driver can also use this interface to cancel his reservation. Various companies during the recent years are involved in the development of e-parking system such City and Suburban parking Ltd.(City and Suburban n.d.), ParkingCarma (ParkingCarma n. d.). Some sophisticated implementation techniques proposed in [3][5] requires the use of smart cards and magnetic cards and Bluetooth so that commuter can get access to the parking area.

To address the problem of multiple car chasing a single slot, some designers reduce the number of vacant spaces when publishing the live availability information to keep a buffer[6].

Automated Parking

It is a mechanical or computer controlled technique which minimizes the area or effort required to park the car into appropriate slot. Automated parking system efficiently allows stacking and the commuter need not to go the car park area providing extra safety measures covering both vehicles and patrons [1].First use of automated parking system was made in Paris, France in 1905 at the garage Reu de Ponthieu[2]. Automated parking system was a spurt of interest in the U.S. In the late 1940’s and 1950’s with browsers, Pigeonhole and Roto Park systems[2].Europe, Asia and Central America had been installing more technically advanced automated parking systems[3].using this automated parking, drivers and passengers are safer since they don’t have to walk through parking lots, garages and consequently, handicap access is improved[4][5].

Commercial parking systems developed by companies such as Automation Parking System(Automation, n.d.), Fata SkyParks(FATA SKYPARKS, n.d.), PARKMATIC Automated and mechanical parking system(PARKMATIC, n.d.) that design and manufacture fully automated and mechanical parking systems for automatically identifying, moving and storing and retrieving cars from parking lots thus providing the drivers with a fast, safe and valet type of parking experience.

It is very important to ensure that there is a proper safety and no mishandling of vehicles by this automated, computer controlled mechanism. A three level software design in a research by Mathifssen and Pretorious (2007) introduced a three level software design which includes Logical Layer(LL), Safe by Layer(SL) and Hardware Abstraction Layer(HAL) so that vehicles are stored in a safe manner and there is no misuse and improper handling.

An Human Machine Interface(HMI) is used in[6] to enforce automated parking which uses DC Motor for the movement of the mechanical arm placing and fetching the cars.

Smart Payment System

Smart payment system makes use of advanced technologies such as Smart Cards instead of using conventional payment techniques via parking meters so that no inconvenience is caused to the commuters due to delay. A Smart Card being a credit card sized piece of plastic is identified uniquely by a microchip embedded in it and has the ability to store, process and write important data.[8].Its use has become an alternate and most viable means for the patrons to pay for transport services.The system allows fast and convenient payment, improving collection rates for fine and also the rate of assaults on parking officials is reduced [1].

Smart payment systems are implemented in places such as Finland, Italy, London and the United States[2][3][4][5].Technologies include debit card, credit cards, smart cards which are included in contact method since they require contact of card with a parking meter and contactless method which comprise of Automated Vehicle Identification(AVI) and RFID technologies[5].Parking meters also make use of other technologies such as having a solar power source and wireless connectivity.

Some technologies like Wi-Fi connectivity (Photo Violation Technologies, n.d.) which handle payment of fines and take photos of vehicles violating parking rules for evidence are used[6].Prior registration via Internet and capability of Short Message Service(SMS) notification is also incorporated in some systems to remind the commuter to settle the payment for additional time extension if necessary [4].

Since the data related to the patrons such as personal account information is highly confidential, it is possible that smart payment systems may lack on the grounds of security and privacy. Also, attacks such as sniffing, spoofing, denial of service, malwares, worms[7]exist in RFID implementation.

Transit Based Parking System

Limited availability of parking contributes to roadway congestion, air pollution and driver’s frustration and confusion. Auto access to park and ride lots which is fast and convenient, is essential to make transit competitive with the auto in sub-urban areas. Transit based information system is implemented in countries like France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Switzerland, the United States and the United Kingdom [1]. Recent applications provide real time information to patrons about the availability of parking spaces in park and ride lots and traffic conditions such as accidents and delays. This scheme benefits in the sense that it increases the utilization of public transportation as commuters can park their vehicles in the parking area and use public transportation easily. It also lowers down the consumption of fuel and transit revenue increases [1].

In order for the transit based information system to be successful, proper planning is done for selecting location for park and ride parking. The smart parking proposal for Valley Transit Authority (VTA) along highway 17/880 in Santa Clara Country (San Jose-area), California, incorporates advanced technologies in park and ride lots to encourage drivers on congested roadways to use transit or ride share [2].

Research conducted for siting park-and-ride car parks in Columbus, Ohio uses Geographic Information System (GIS) [3]. Additional calculation conducted by [4] considers some factors such as geographical, network, travel time from points of demand to park-and-ride facility location.

Critical observation: All these innovative advancements have brought a revolutionary change in the implementation of smart parking system. We can add more advance feature like energy conservation mechanism and vehicle maintenance units to make the current Smart Parking Systems more efficient and advanced.

Recent Smart Parking Techniques Used

Traffic authorities in many cities are building smart parking systems over past two decades since parking in many major cities around the world is limited and is not cost effective. In this section, we present the details of various advancements done recently in developing smart parking systems.

In [1], a new "Smart Parking "system is proposed for an urban environment. The system assigns and reserves an optimal parking space for a driver based on user requirements that combine proximity to destination and parking cost while also ensuring that the overall parking capacity is efficiently utilized. For their pilot project, use of ultrasonic sensors is done which are mounted in MEMSIC IRIS wireless sensor motes. All sensors in one level of a garage or on one street construct an X-Mesh wireless network which connects all sensors and transmits sensing data to upper tier via gateway. With this technology, far away placed sensors can still transmit data to gateway. Foroff- street parking, the system performs ID checking using RFID technology at the gate of a parking lot. While for on-street parking, this system uses a light system is placed at each parking spot, where different colors indicate different parking spot states.

Other system mentioned in [2] proposes an Intelligent Car Park Management System based on wireless sensor networks. The system makes use of Motes Processor Radio boards(MPR),sensor boards equipped with the sensor of light,acoustic,temperature and a sounder. The sensor nodes are deployed to a car parking field and transmit the collected information to the gateways. The Mote Interface Board (MIB) MIB510 provides the gateway for the motes and allows the display of sensory data on user PC and other standard computer platforms via a RS232 serial interface.

A Smart Parking system proposed in [3] is a novel, secure and intelligent parking system based on the concept and framework of NOTICE which is a privacy-aware architecture for the notification of traffic incidents. The sensor belts are embedded in the road at regular intervals. Each belt consists of a collection of piezoelectric pressure sensors, a simple aggregation and fusion engine and a few small transceivers. The pressure sensors in each belt allow every message to be associated with a physical vehicle passing over the belt. Vehicles are also fitted with a Tamper Resistant Device(TRD) such as a Event Data Recorder(EDR). The vehicle’s transceiver unit, speedometer, gas tank , sensors for outside temperature feed their own readings into TRD. To prevent misdetection of vehicles, both Infrared devices and sensor belts are used to double check if the vehicles are behaving correctly.

Management of Car Parking System Using Wireless Networks proposed in [4] aims at implementing smarter and better parking guidance mechanism which reduces significantly vehicle travel time and parking time. In this system, all the infrared sensor nodes sense the status of the car space and transfer the information to the AVR Controller. Consequently, AVR sensor senses the status of car parking space and displays the information on the LED screen for the user. Thus time required by the driver to find vacant parking space is reduced. Also, the chances of entering into unusual space leading to congestion are also reduced.

[5] Proposes PGS Parking Guidance System based on wireless sensor networks .The system consists of a WSN based VDS(Vehicle detection subsystem ) which gather information on the availability of each parking lot & displays it on a VMS(Variable Massaging system). VDS consist of T-sensor nodes, T- sink node & T-BS. Each T-Sensor node has a magnetic sensor which detects, ferrous materials in a vehicle & notifies the detected events to the T-Sink node which then forwards the information to T-BS.T-BS is equipped with a T-Sink node to communicate with other Sink nodes & also acts as a gateway between WSN & conventional internet.

According to [6] A Prototype Parking System using wireless sensors networks, describes the smart parking management system based on WSN technology with advanced features like remote parking monitoring, automated guidance & reservation mechanism , a system architecture & its subsystem level components is designed . The architecture is based on the embedded system & also proposes a real time scenario of parking management system by a prototype model.

Intelligent car parking system proposed in [7], identifies the available spaces for parking using proximity sensor and infrared sensor. A proximity sensor detects the presence of the nearby objects without any physical contacts. This system also makes use of a human machine interface [HMI] and DC Motor for the movement of the mechanical arm which would be placing and fetching the cars. The [HMI] helps in entering the unique identification no. during the entry of any car ,which helps in searching for the spaces where the cars is parked while exit. Thus it doesn’t take the help of any human personnel . An Indraconrol L10 PLC controls the action of the parking system.

In [8] the paper introduces the parking guidance system utilizing wireless sensor network & ultrasonic sensor, which implements shortest path algorithm to calculate the shortest distance from the parking berth to the nearest preferred entrance. The shortest path calculation is done using A*(A-star) shortest path algorithm which is a bi–directional heuristic search , best- first algorithm. The system updates by monitoring the availability of the vehicle berth & the information gained from the ultrasonic sensor detection and calculation from the A* algorithm is used to guide patrons to the parking berth.

Future Directions

With the development of the smart parking systems, nearly all parking demands are met. But some basic issues which are holding back these innovative parking systems include cost, security and reliability. No doubt, with the use of wireless technologies like Zigbee, the infrastructure cost has been reduced and the necessary security ensuring the identity of notes integrity is provided.

More efforts should be concentrated to make the issues of misparking and reservation conflicts completely obsolete. Energy conservation and environment friendliness are also two major criteria in which thorough research work should be directed.

Conclusion

In our study, we have put forward the need of proper enforcement of Smart Parking Systems and their implementation using various techniques. We have also presented what role do the vehicle detectors play in collecting information about the parking space and how that information is displayed to driver via VMS or User Interface. We have also studied various innovative techniques, recent work carried out and what possible measures should be taken to outweigh the system’s shortcomings.