feasibility study of real time parking information at ... - WMATA.com

WMATA Real-Time Parking
Information Feasibility Study
Chapter 6: PILOT PROJECT CONCEPT
serve as a systems manager, as discussed in section C. above. Additionally, an
independent verification and validation consultant could be retained. This consultant
could serve as a subcontractor to the systems manager, or be hired separately. If
WMATA staff feel they have the proper available staff, these services could be
addressed through internal staff.
The general stages of development and implementation are outlined in the following
pages. It should be noted that these stages should be considered preliminary as they
may be modified as the design engineer completes their work.
Local System
The first step is in the implementation of the detection and information systems at the
parking facility. These subsystems must be constructed and tested to verify they are
working. As in most software development efforts, the field infrastructure is tested first to
verify that the equipment is functioning properly.
• The field devices will be installed and tested independently to verify they are
working. This means that the detectors are properly sensing vehicles in a variety
of conditions, and that the wayfinding signs are able to display information.
• Concurrent to this, the software at the local controller should be developed, and
the user interface and controls worked out on paper with the WMATA staff and
the design engineer. This will ensure the implementer is developing the proper
functionality. The software being developed for the pilot station must be capable
of calculating total facility occupancy as well as occupancy of any defined zones
or detected spaces. Once the software is demonstrated in a lab setting, it will be
implemented at the field controller. An independent verification team should
ensure that the system is properly receiving information from the sensors,
processing that information, and communicating with the wayfinding signs.
• Next, the ancillary services of the local controller should be tested. This includes
the interface with local staff, self checking, and data archiving. All error testing
should be simulated and independently verified. This includes performing selfchecks
and properly notifying others of issues. While some of this is continuous,
other more rigorous tests can take place at night, when the facility is closed and
occupancy is at or near zero.
Transmission to WMATA
The central parking information system controller at the WMATA IT offices will need to
be installed and connected to the field controller.
• Similar to the field controller software, the software functionality for the central
server should be developed in a document in coordination with WMATA to
ensure that all required functions are included. Once the software is developed
and demonstrated in a lab setting, the system should be installed at the central
WMATA offices.
• The systems will then need to be connected. This step will include installing the
fiber from the field to the communications room at the station and verifying that
information can be received at the central WMATA offices. A separate test for
verification of communications will need to be independently performed before
the central server is connected to the field device. This will also involve a new
Page 6-27 June 2009