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

More documents

Recommendations

Info

WMATA Real-Time Parking Information Feasibility Study Chapter 5: OPTIONS AND PREFERRED SYSTEM FOR WMATA Figure 4-3, depicts a server residing within close physical proximity to other WMATA servers. It is assumed that the vendor will supply and configure this system to communicate with other WMATA systems such as the WMATA web servers. The information from the pilot site will be made available at the WMATA operations center in real or near real time. Compatibility with Other Systems The parking information system will incorporate and comply with all applicable ITS standards. The system will be compatible and integrated with VDOT, the Regional Integrated Transportation Information System (RITIS), and the Virginia 511 system. Information Transmission Requirements These applications will require at a minimum the following information fields to be transmitted from each facility: • Facility identifier • Spaces available or occupied (by type of space) • Date/time stamp Two types of additional information will also be needed. The first are standards related overhead. These are other pieces of information that may be required from one or more ITS standards. The second is additional calculated information that can be calculated either on-site by the facility, or by the same computer that prepares the text feed for the WMATA web site. The calculated fields will include: • Current status (open, near full, full, closed) • Nearest alternative with available parking Once the information is received and additional fields are calculated, the information received from each garage can be placed into one of the following formats, as shown in Figure 5-1, depending on the status of the facility. This format would reside at the central smart parking server. Figure 5-1 Templates for Real-time Parking Information Messages Spaces available message: Current time: 7:20 AM Franconia Springfield Parking AVAILABLE 305 spaces Limited availability message: Current time: 7:20 AM Franconia Springfield Parking LIMITED 30 spaces available Nearest alternate parking: Van Dorn Street Full/Closed message: Current time: 7:20 AM Franconia Springfield Parking FULL Nearest alternate parking: Van Dorn Street Page 5-2 June 2009
WMATA Real-Time Parking Information Feasibility Study Currently Existing Applications Chapter 5: OPTIONS AND PREFERRED SYSTEM FOR WMATA Northern Virginia currently has a number of existing applications that could potentially include or incorporate real-time parking information. These are described below. The information from the smart parking system is discussed relative to each application. WMATA Web and Mobile Device Interfaces WMATA provides an extensive web site (http://wmata.com). The site currently offers a variety of real-time information, including alerts for service changes and interruptions and the status of accessible elevators. Arrival information for the next trains at each station is Figure 5-2 WMATA Next available. Bus arrival information had previously Train Information been provided by NextBus; however, that service is not currently available on the WMATA site. WMATA also currently provides a version of their web page enhanced for portable devices (http://wmata.com/mobile). The agency also makes service alerts and other information available via RSS/XML feeds, including train arrival information, as shown in Figure 5-2. Because WMATA is already delivering real-time information to its customers, the addition of parking information to existing systems can be done with minimal need for additional resources. The same basic information feed that would be used on the WMATA web site can also be used for many of the other applications described herein. Initial Installation The first deployment would be on a test web site, which could be either inside or outside of the WMATA domain. Following internal user testing, the links could be made available for public testing. It is recommended that the test link be emailed to a subset of SmarTrip users who are known to have used the facility in the past thirty days. The test link can be followed some days later with a brief web-based customer service survey that will seek to identify if the information is perceived favorably by users, and whether the use of the information is causing them to alter their use of the facility. It is possible that improved information could result in increased demand for parking and that, as a result, the facilities could fill sooner and need to be closed earlier. Following satisfactory results of the pilot test and incorporating user feedback, the information link can then be included in the following WMATA information pages (a graphic representation is shown in Figure 5-3): • Station information pages for stations with real-time parking information, • Parking information for those stations, and • Online maps with driving directions link for those stations. Page 5-3 June 2009
Page 3 and 4:
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF REAL TIME PARK
Page 5 and 6:
WMATA Real-Time Parking Information
Page 7:
Page 10 and 11:
Page 12 and 13:
Page 14 and 15:
Page 16 and 17:
Page 18 and 19: WMATA Real-Time Parking Information
Page 106 and 107: 256 23 20 30 FULL 6 15 20 WMATA Rea
Page 118 and 119:
Page 120 and 121:
Page 122:
show all

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

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?