Dynamic Pedestrian Pathfinding in Indoor Parking Facilities
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large and complex indoor parking facilities, users face challenges in finding a suitable parking spot close to pedestrian access points, leading to increased cognitive load, long distances traversed on foot, and safety risks due to the lack of pedestrian crossings and unpredictable parking availability.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that identify suitable access points and vacant parking spots near them, determining dynamic paths that navigate through navigable gaps between parked vehicles, using sensors to collect data on parking spots and gaps, and providing users with safe and efficient routes via a user interface, while also instructing vehicles to park with sufficient gaps for pedestrian access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users park at the first available vacant parking spot, then parking availability is quickly resolved, but the distance to pedestrian access points increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of pedestrian access points and their locations before the user arrives. By pre-processing spatial information about access points and calculating optimal parking spots near these points, the system enables users to park closer to their destination without increasing overall parking facility utilization time
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different quality standards to different regions of the parking facility. Instead of treating all parking spots equally, it identifies and prioritizes parking spots located near pedestrian access points, creating zones of varying quality based on proximity to exits and walkability metrics
2Adaptability or versatility
If users traverse large distances through parking facilities, then more parking spots become accessible, but user safety and cognitive load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes spatial relationships between parking spots, pedestrian pathways, and access points. This intermediary system calculates safe and efficient routes, reducing the cognitive burden on users while maintaining access to various parking areas through optimized navigation guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-identifies safe pedestrian pathways and access points before users begin their journey. By calculating and presenting optimal routes in advance, users can navigate confidently without needing to make complex decisions during traversal, reducing cognitive load and safety risks
3Device complexity
If parking facilities lack designated pedestrian pathways, then vehicle access is simplified, but pedestrian safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual representation or copy of the physical parking facility layout, including pedestrian pathways and driving lanes. This digital model allows the system to identify and recommend safe pedestrian routes without physically altering the facility structure, maintaining layout simplicity while enhancing safety through information provision
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and computer program product for managing a parking facility, and specifically generating dynamic paths to guide a user in a parking facility is provided. The method comprises identifying an access point in the parking facility suitable to be utilized by the user. The method further comprises receiving data related to one or more of vacant parking spots and navigable gaps between parked vehicles in the parking facility. The method further comprises determining a path to be traversed by the user for reaching the access point, wherein the determined path, when traversed, comprises navigating through one or more of the vacant parking spots and the navigable gaps between parked vehicles. The method further comprises sharing the determined path with the user via a user interface. The method further comprises instructing vehicles in the parking facility to park leaving gaps at least equal to a threshold distance.