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 1<br />
INTRODUCTION<br />
This <strong>study</strong> is to evalu<strong>at</strong>e the <strong>feasibility</strong> <strong>of</strong> a <strong>real</strong>-<strong>time</strong> <strong>parking</strong> applic<strong>at</strong>ion for the<br />
Metrorail system, with the purpose <strong>of</strong> improving oper<strong>at</strong>ions efficiency,<br />
reducing oper<strong>at</strong>ing costs by providing guidance to available <strong>parking</strong> spaces,<br />
encouraging more transit usage and reducing congestion.<br />
Study Purpose<br />
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (<strong>WMATA</strong>’s) Metrorail system is an<br />
integral part <strong>of</strong> the regional transport<strong>at</strong>ion system. <strong>WMATA</strong> is <strong>com</strong>mitted to promoting<br />
regional mobility and accessibility and providing safe and convenient transit service<br />
through technology and management initi<strong>at</strong>ives. The provision <strong>of</strong> <strong>real</strong>-<strong>time</strong> <strong>parking</strong><br />
<strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> <strong>at</strong> st<strong>at</strong>ions and on surrounding roads would <strong>of</strong>fer innov<strong>at</strong>ive ways to enhance<br />
connectivity among Metrorail, Park and Ride lots, and the roadway system. It would also<br />
improve <strong>parking</strong> oper<strong>at</strong>ions efficiency and help allevi<strong>at</strong>e corridor congestion by making it<br />
more convenient for drivers to use Metrorail. As such, the purpose <strong>of</strong> the Metrorail Real<br />
Time Parking Inform<strong>at</strong>ion Feasibility Study is to identify the technological solution, best<br />
suited for <strong>WMATA</strong>, which will improve customer s<strong>at</strong>isfaction by providing guidance to<br />
available <strong>parking</strong> spaces within a Metrorail st<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>parking</strong> facility, with accuracy being<br />
the top priority.<br />
Improved st<strong>at</strong>ion access through <strong>real</strong>-<strong>time</strong> <strong>parking</strong> <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> applic<strong>at</strong>ions reflects the<br />
transport<strong>at</strong>ion vision and goals <strong>of</strong> the N<strong>at</strong>ional Capital Region Transport<strong>at</strong>ion Planning<br />
Board, in particular:<br />
• Goal 2: The Washington metropolitan region will develop, implement, and<br />
maintain an interconnected transport<strong>at</strong>ion system th<strong>at</strong> enhances quality <strong>of</strong> life<br />
and promotes a strong and growing economy throughout the entire region.<br />
• Goal 4: The Washington metropolitan region will use the best available<br />
technology to maximize system effectiveness.<br />
This <strong>study</strong> is being funded through the Commonwealth <strong>of</strong> Virginia’s Office <strong>of</strong> Intermodal<br />
Planning and Investment, Multimodal Planning Grant Program.<br />
Study Tasks<br />
The primary objectives <strong>of</strong> this <strong>study</strong> are to:<br />
• Assess existing <strong>parking</strong> conditions<br />
• Research best practices in <strong>real</strong>-<strong>time</strong> <strong>parking</strong> systems in other U.S. cities<br />
• Examine <strong>real</strong>-<strong>time</strong> <strong>parking</strong> technology options<br />
• Determine existing <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> applic<strong>at</strong>ions <strong>at</strong> <strong>WMATA</strong> and the Virginia<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> Transport<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
• Re<strong>com</strong>mend changes, along with order <strong>of</strong> magnitude costs, to the <strong>WMATA</strong><br />
system to ac<strong>com</strong>mod<strong>at</strong>e <strong>real</strong>-<strong>time</strong> <strong>parking</strong> <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> <strong>at</strong> the Northern Virginia<br />
st<strong>at</strong>ions<br />
• Develop a conceptual pilot program th<strong>at</strong> could be tested <strong>at</strong> a selected Virginia<br />
st<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
Page 1-1 June 2009
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