Sensor System for Unmarked Street Parking Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parking systems, particularly in urban areas, face inefficiencies in locating unmarked parallel street parking spaces due to lack of reliable information on space availability and size, leading to increased fuel consumption, pollution, and revenue generation challenges, as well as difficulties in metering and charging for unmarked spaces.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing sensors and an algorithm to provide real-time information on available unmarked parking spaces, including size assessment and object presence, coupled with a wireless notification protocol to drivers, allowing for efficient space utilization and revenue generation without the need for in-person monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are placed close together to accurately detect vehicle size and presence, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor functions into a single integrated system. The sensor array detects both vehicle presence and size estimation simultaneously by analyzing the pattern of triggered sensors, rather than using separate detection systems for each parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system performs multiple functions: detecting vehicle presence, estimating vehicle size, determining parking space availability, and providing data for revenue generation. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate specialized systems.
2Productivity
If more sensors are deployed to increase parking capacity monitoring, then productivity improves, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The parking area is divided into discrete sensor zones that can independently detect and report vehicle presence. This segmentation allows the system to scale by adding or removing individual sensor modules rather than redesigning the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback to drivers about available parking spaces through wireless communication, enabling them to locate open spaces without searching. This feedback loop increases parking productivity by reducing search time and improving space utilization.
3Ease of operation
If marked parking spaces are used to clearly define parking areas, then ease of operation improves, but area utilization decreases due to wasted space between marked spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the physical markings from the parking system, extracting only the essential function of defining parking spaces. Virtual boundaries are created through sensor detection algorithms rather than physical paint or curbs, eliminating wasted space while maintaining space definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of space definition from physical (paint, curbs) to digital (sensor data, algorithmic boundaries). This allows for more flexible and efficient use of available space while maintaining clear identification of parking areas through electronic means.
4Area of stationary object
If unmarked parking spaces are used to maximize area utilization, then area utilization improves, but reliability of parking information decreases making it difficult for drivers to locate available spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system acts as an intermediary between the unmarked parking spaces and drivers. It detects vehicle presence and translates it into reliable digital information about space availability, which is then communicated to drivers through wireless devices, bridging the gap between unmarked spaces and information reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical markings with electronic detection and communication systems. The mechanical/visual system of painted spaces is substituted with sensor arrays and wireless data transmission, providing reliable information about unmarked spaces without requiring physical demarcation.
5Productivity
If parking meters and monitoring systems are installed to generate revenue from unmarked spaces, then revenue generation improves, but device complexity and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system automatically detects vehicle presence, duration, and size, and generates billing information without human intervention. The system serves itself by collecting all necessary data for revenue generation through the same sensors used for detection, eliminating the need for separate metering and monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The same sensor array used for detecting vehicle presence and size also provides the data needed for revenue generation and metering. This multi-functional use of sensors eliminates the need for separate billing infrastructure, reducing complexity while maintaining revenue generation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of providing information and directions to drivers in relation to the availability of parallel street parking places within a certain area is provided. Such a method includes the utilization of properly placed sensors working in combination with a particular algorithm to provide reliable information in terms of actual availability for certain vehicle sizes on a continuous basis. As well, this system accords a manner of properly assessing actual parking place sizes, potential obstacles (such as driveways, hydrants, and the like), and other important information for electronic relay to any driver (through, for instance, a suitable wireless program and router to a hand-held or dashboard mounted communicator) to locate and assess for himself the potential for utilizing such a vacant parking place. Furthermore, such a system may also provide an effective means to properly charge a driver for parking without the need for parking meters or other like mechanisms.