Systems to Help Drivers Find Parking
The most common advanced parking systems assist drivers in finding parking facilities with available space. They do this by obtaining information about available parking spaces, processing it, and presenting it to drivers. Information may be presented via static or changeable message signs, phone, the Internet, or in-vehicle navigation systems. See our Telecommunications Diagram on Parking Management for more information.

The first such systems were implemented in European cities in the late 1970's. Among European and Asian cities with these systems are Frankfurt am Main and Koeln, Germany; Bristol, UK; Ghent, Belgium; and Yokahama and Toyota, Japan. In the US, systems have been implemented in St. Paul, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. Click here to take a virtual tour of the Smart Park at the Baltimore/Washington Airport.

Benefits
These systems reduce the time spent searching for a parking place, reduce congestion, and reduce illegal parking. They also allow better distribution of parking demand and higher utilization of parking facilities.

Automatic Parking Systems
These systems automatically store the cars within the facility. They have been implemented in Japan and Vancouver, British Columbia. Their purpose is to reduce the amount of space needed for parking.

Electronic and Wireless Payment
Like toll roads, some parking facilities are introducing electronic payment. It works in the same way as electronic toll collection; drivers have a transponder in their car that is read as they enter and leave the parking facility. This reduces queueing at the entrance and exit to the facility and reduces money handling costs. The wireless transmission of parking fees sent via mobile phones is also becoming an alternative to cash payments at meters. This m-commerce application is currently being tested and implemented around the globe.

Advanced Parking Meters
These meters can provide real-time information regarding whether the parking place is occupied and if the meter has expired or not. This information is transmitted by wireless modem to a server where parking enforcement staff can see which spaces contain vehicles with parking violations. These meters can also verify parking permits for special classes of vehicles, such as disabled people or adjacent residents. Such meters can reduce violations and increase revenues.

Authors: Lauren Smith and Hans Roth. Last Updated 07/29/03