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 6: PILOT PROJECT CONCEPT<br />
the <strong>parking</strong> facility. The second type will be loc<strong>at</strong>ed <strong>at</strong> key decision points inside the<br />
<strong>parking</strong> facility g<strong>at</strong>es and are design<strong>at</strong>ed “internal” wayfinding signs. These will direct<br />
drivers to the proper zone within the facility th<strong>at</strong> has available <strong>parking</strong>. For example, if<br />
the garage has available spaces but the north lot is full, the sign will direct drivers to go<br />
directly to the garage and not waste <strong>time</strong> looking for a space in the north lot.<br />
The local server will determine wh<strong>at</strong> <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> to display on these wayfinding signs,<br />
based on the <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> from the various detectors. The <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> may be either the<br />
number <strong>of</strong> spaces available, or simple messages such as “full” or “open.”<br />
Communic<strong>at</strong>ions Equipment<br />
The <strong>com</strong>munic<strong>at</strong>ions equipment continuously sends <strong>parking</strong> <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> from the local<br />
server to the central <strong>WMATA</strong> server. Inform<strong>at</strong>ion is sent via fiber media from the cabinet<br />
<strong>at</strong> the <strong>parking</strong> facility to the <strong>com</strong>munic<strong>at</strong>ions room <strong>at</strong> the st<strong>at</strong>ion. This <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> is<br />
routed through a switch to fiber th<strong>at</strong> sends the <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> to the central <strong>WMATA</strong> facility.<br />
From there, the <strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> is delivered through another switch to a central <strong>parking</strong><br />
server.<br />
Central Parking Server<br />
The central <strong>parking</strong> server for <strong>WMATA</strong> staff <strong>at</strong> the central <strong>of</strong>fice will allow staff to view<br />
<strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong>, run reports, modify parameters, and administer the system. The central<br />
<strong>parking</strong> server will also provide an interface with the <strong>parking</strong> web portal and will connect<br />
to all future local <strong>parking</strong> servers <strong>at</strong> individual st<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />
Parking Web Portal<br />
The <strong>parking</strong> web portal will assemble and transmit <strong>real</strong>-<strong>time</strong> <strong>parking</strong> availability<br />
<strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong> to the <strong>WMATA</strong> web servers. The <strong>parking</strong> web portal will also serve as the<br />
interface between <strong>WMATA</strong>, VDOT, and the Regional Integr<strong>at</strong>ed Transport<strong>at</strong>ion<br />
Inform<strong>at</strong>ion System (RITIS). Communic<strong>at</strong>ion to the non-<strong>WMATA</strong> systems will initially<br />
use the internet. As systems are improved, upgraded, and interconnected, the <strong>parking</strong><br />
web portal will also be interfaced with other agencies using these new connections.<br />
Technologies Utilized<br />
The specific controllers, switches, <strong>com</strong>munic<strong>at</strong>ions, etc., are best determined during the<br />
final design, or potentially in the implement<strong>at</strong>ion process. Because technologies remain<br />
progressive and evolve quickly, some <strong>of</strong> the technologies discussed in this report may<br />
be outd<strong>at</strong>ed by the <strong>time</strong> the project is implemented. As discussed in the Task 3<br />
Technical Memorandums, depending on the procurement method for this project, it may<br />
be best for the selected vendor to select the technologies subject to a rigorous list <strong>of</strong><br />
requirements from <strong>WMATA</strong>. However, for preliminary costing and requirements, two<br />
specific types <strong>of</strong> technological approaches are discussed for sensors and traveler<br />
<strong>inform<strong>at</strong>ion</strong>.<br />
Page 6-8 June 2009
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