feasibility study of real time parking information at ... - WMATA.com
feasibility study of real time parking information at ... - WMATA.com
feasibility study of real time parking information at ... - WMATA.com
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<strong>WMATA</strong> Real-Time Parking<br />
Inform<strong>at</strong>ion Feasibility Study<br />
Chapter 4: REAL-TIME PARKING TECHNOLOGY<br />
rel<strong>at</strong>ive to the value <strong>of</strong> the service provided to the customer and to the long-term<br />
revenue potential th<strong>at</strong> could result from increased customer s<strong>at</strong>isfaction.<br />
Interactive Voice Response<br />
VDOT currently oper<strong>at</strong>es an interactive voice response (IVR) telephone <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong><br />
system th<strong>at</strong> uses the standard 511 access number. The 511 Virginia service <strong>of</strong>fers a<br />
jump to <strong>WMATA</strong> IVR service. Neither network currently <strong>of</strong>fers direct st<strong>at</strong>ion-specific<br />
<strong>parking</strong> <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong>.<br />
Once <strong>real</strong>-<strong>time</strong> <strong>parking</strong> <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> is available for transmission to users, it is anticip<strong>at</strong>ed<br />
th<strong>at</strong> the <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> can also be made available to one or both IVR systems. The<br />
existing system would need to be expandable to include additional menu options for<br />
<strong>parking</strong> <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong>.<br />
Highway Advisory Radio (HAR)<br />
Highway advisory radio (HAR), also known as traveler <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> st<strong>at</strong>ions (TIS), include<br />
low-power AM st<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>of</strong>ten oper<strong>at</strong>ed <strong>at</strong> the 530 kilohertz frequency. The st<strong>at</strong>ions are<br />
usually oper<strong>at</strong>ed by st<strong>at</strong>e highway departments but can be oper<strong>at</strong>ed by other<br />
government authorities. HAR typically broadcasts traveler <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> such as we<strong>at</strong>her<br />
conditions or highway closures. HAR st<strong>at</strong>ions are licensed by the Federal<br />
Communic<strong>at</strong>ions Commission (FCC). FCC regul<strong>at</strong>ions require th<strong>at</strong> HAR oper<strong>at</strong>ors be<br />
government entities (<strong>WMATA</strong> does qualify) and specify th<strong>at</strong> HAR st<strong>at</strong>ions cannot<br />
transmit <strong>com</strong>mercial <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong>. It is anticip<strong>at</strong>ed th<strong>at</strong> <strong>WMATA</strong> would qualify as a<br />
government entity and could oper<strong>at</strong>e HAR if its charter does not specifically prohibit it<br />
from doing so. The <strong>com</strong>mercial restriction does not forbid the use <strong>of</strong> HAR to guide<br />
travelers traveling to <strong>com</strong>mercial enterprises. HAR is currently used to guide travelers to<br />
and from the <strong>com</strong>mercial <strong>parking</strong> oper<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>at</strong> Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.<br />
At least two airports currently provide <strong>parking</strong> <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> via HAR. Chicago O’Hare<br />
Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Airport uses the 1630 kHz frequency to broadcast <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> regarding<br />
availability, proximity to terminals and fees. Newark Intern<strong>at</strong>ional Airport in New Jersey<br />
uses the 530 kHz frequency to transmit <strong>real</strong>-<strong>time</strong> <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> about available <strong>parking</strong> in<br />
each <strong>of</strong> the airport's lots.<br />
Wayfinding<br />
For the purposes <strong>of</strong> this discussion, wayfinding indic<strong>at</strong>ors are defined as signage or<br />
other devices th<strong>at</strong> provide directional <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> to drivers while they are driving.<br />
Wayfinding indic<strong>at</strong>ors can include dynamic message signage and can also include infacility<br />
signage.<br />
• External<br />
Roadside signage can be augmented with displays indic<strong>at</strong>ing the loc<strong>at</strong>ion and<br />
availability <strong>of</strong> <strong>parking</strong> <strong>at</strong> a garage or lot. In the U.S., wayfinding <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong><br />
systems have been installed in conjunction with <strong>parking</strong> facilities in downtown St.<br />
Paul and two Metra <strong>com</strong>muter rail st<strong>at</strong>ions in suburban Chicago. Additional pilot<br />
projects have used DMS on highways to convey <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> regarding <strong>parking</strong><br />
availability. Providing <strong>real</strong>-<strong>time</strong> <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> is expected to result in improved<br />
Page 4-13 June 2009
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