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WMATA Real-Time Parking
Information Feasibility Study
Chapter 5: OPTIONS AND PREFERRED
SYSTEM FOR WMATA
Operational Needs
The operational needs are expressed in Chapter 4 as the system goals and objectives.
Each goal will be discussed separately with a high level indication of how the needs will
be met by the ultimate system design.
Goal - Maximize efficiency of parking facilities
• To operate facilities as a system (not just as individual garages and lots)
• Increase efficiency of facility staff
• Direct vehicles approaching facilities to available parking
• Generate real-time information on parking availability
The needs for this goal are from the highest level to the lowest. It is desirable to operate
the facilities as a system. If one lot is full, WMATA wants the customers to proceed to
any open facility. To do this, WMATA needs knowledge of each individual facility. The
staff can then better determine when they need to move signs or accomplish other tasks
assigned to them. When information is available for a particular facility, customers
approaching that facility can be informed of the current availability of the parking. To
accomplish this, the system must have the capability to provide real-time monitoring of a
facility.
Goal - Improve customer experience and satisfaction
• Direct customers to open spaces when they are not readily apparent
• Prevent cars from entering the facility when spaces are not available
Both of these needs relate directly to informing motorists. The first need is informing
motorists that have already entered the facility where empty parking spaces remain.
The second is to ensure that vehicles do not enter a facility that is already at its limit.
Both require real-time information from the system. The first objective implies the ability
for at least a zonal level of detection and the use of internal wayfinding signs. The
second can be accomplished with entry/exit detection only.
Goal - Maximize efficiency of parking payment system
• Have complete up to date pricing information available to operators and users
This need is really more directed to the payment system than the smart parking system.
The information can be available to the public through a variety of sources.
Goal - Share real-time parking information with other regional agencies
• Support coordination with other traffic management and traveler information
systems deployed in immediate region as necessary
The main system for parking management at WMATA will establish links to VDOT and
the Regional Integrated Transportation Information System (RITIS) to share real-time
data. Additional information will be posted on the web site for WMATA and made
available to other agencies and third parties as desired and allowed.
Page 5-22 June 2009