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

WMATA Real-Time Parking
Information Feasibility Study
Chapter 3: BEST PRACTICES REVIEW
the regular long-term lots must walk to a bus stop within the lot to access the
shuttle)
In 2004, the BWI Airport APMS was completed at an estimated cost of $6 million. The
unit cost of the equipment was approximately $450 per parking space. The APMS was
estimated to cost between two and five percent of the overall construction cost of the
new parking facility (excluding land costs).
General Project Information - The BWI Smart Park system provides information on the
availability of parking spaces at the facility, floor, aisle, and parking space level.
Ultrasonic occupancy sensors mounted over each parking space monitor the vacancy
status of each space. Occupancy status information is processed by a central computer
which polls each sensor several times a second for real-time occupancy. The dedicated
computer system communicates to a real-time light emitting diode (LED) display above
each parking space. Green arrows direct motorists to lanes with vacant spaces. Red Xs
indicate lanes where no spaces are available. Blue lights direct disabled patrons to
accessible parking areas. Parking guidance information is also provided to drivers via
Dynamic Message Signs (DMSs) on the airport access road, which indicate either
“Open” or “Full” for each facility, as well as billboard signs at the entry of each level
indicating the number of spaces on that floor. Signs on the up/down ramps of the
garage also indicate the number of spaces on the floors above and below. The new
garage, Daily Garage A, also has a sign at the main entrance listing the number of
spaces available on each floor.
Over 13,000 spaces in BWI parking garages have been equipped with the smart parking
technologies which include 27 signs on each garage level, 167 aisle signs, and 11,900
LED indicators above each space. The BWI Smart Park system is not integrated with
the regional ITS infrastructure.
In the vicinity of the airport, drivers may tune to 1040AM for BWI Airport Parking
Information.
Fees – The fees charged at BWI include:
• Hourly Garage: The first 30 minutes are free; each half hour thereafter is $2 with
a daily maximum of $20.
• Daily Garage A: Rates at $2 per hour with a daily maximum of $10.00.
Lessons Learned – Based on interviews with BWI staff and review of literature, the
lessons learned include:
• Consider the impact of various technical and design aspects when calculating
cost estimates
• Ensure proper operations and maintenance
• Identify key design issues in the deployment of advanced parking management
systems
• Involve all appropriate stakeholders in a formal and collaborative manner during
each phase of the project
• Confirm detector operation periodically. (System accuracy is a critical
component of a successful system. System errors can cause the inventory count
to be in error, in either a positive or a negative direction. Under-counting
available spaces means a lost opportunity for a patron and lost revenue for the
operator, while over-counting available spaces results in frustrated patrons and a
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