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WMATA Real-Time Parking
Information Feasibility Study
Handheld Devices and Mobile Telephones
Chapter 5: OPTIONS AND PREFERRED
SYSTEM FOR WMATA
As discussed above, the demand for information via handheld devices is expected to
expand considerably in the coming years. The opportunities for WMATA to build on its
existing efforts to support information delivery via handheld devices will likewise expand.
Open questions remain regarding both the types of information and delivery methods
that WMATA should support. One excellent opportunity includes carpool matching,
which can currently be accessed via the existing 511 Virginia page. Typically, an
agency provides the information on its web site via publicly available portals, allowing
third party resellers to repackage the information. Under this framework, the actual
application becomes irrelevant to WMATA. As long as accurate and timely information
is available to all parties, WMATA does not need to match industry formats.
Zone-level Detection vs. Space-level Detection
The review of existing WMATA applications indicates there are systems in place to
communicate parking availability to Metrorail users. The decision that must be made is
on how detailed that information is. It is basically a question of space or zone detection.
Options are described in general terms for these detection levels and supporting
components. This is followed by development and evaluation of four basic scenario
options.
Zone-level Detection
The surface lots at each station and other portions of parking facilities may be
appropriate for zone-level detection. Zone-level detection counts entries to and exits
from a lot or section and uses that information to determine the number of available
spaces. Because zone-level detection does not identify whether an individual space is
occupied, detection equipment need only be placed at the entrances and exits to a lot or
section, though accuracy may be improved if additional detection elements are included.
For each zone, detection is needed at each entry and exit lane. If permitted by the
payment system, exit detection can be coordinated with the payment system.
Figure 5-7 shows a schematic of a zonal detection concept for a generic station with
both in-structure and surface spaces. Vehicles are counted as they enter the driveway
into the facility’s circulation lanes. Information from these detectors provides a count of
the number of vehicles within the facility. From there, vehicles are counted again as
they move into each of the three parking zones. The two surface lots each represent a
separate zone. The garage structure is represented here as a single zone, however, it
can be internally divided into multiple zones covering each floor. The number of spaces
within each zone is fixed – the number of vehicles entering and exiting that zone can be
compared against the total to determine availability. The system must be able to match
vehicles as they enter and exit each zone, and use the total entrance and exit numbers
to verify that the zonal levels are in agreement.
Page 5-12 June 2009