Summary

This project identifies the advantages and disadvantages of smart parking - the use of advanced technologies to improve the efficiency and speed of locating, reserving, and paying for parking. Smart parking optimizes the use of parking infrastructure, which increases the number of parking spaces in a parking structure. Then, drivers are permitted to reserve these parking spaces ahead of time. Lastly, smart parking also makes use of changeable message signs (CMS) which provide real-time information to motorists about remaining parking spaces in a parking structure, the departure time of local public transportation, and local roadway traffic conditions.

This three-year pilot program uses concepts and resources from the existing smart parking field operational test (FOT) at the Rockridge Bay Area Regional Transit (BART) station for the San Diego COASTER commuter rail system. Ideas include CMS alongside highways approaching COASTER stations to alert drivers of traffic conditions ahead and available parking spots at each station, smart cards or vehicle-based transponders to expedite payment transaction time for parking, and a shuttle service between privately or publicly-owned parking structures around COASTER stations.

The program is separated into three phases: 1) the implementation of the smart parking pilot program, linked to COASTER stations in San Diego, 2) the evaluation of the program based on behavioral responses, cost-effectiveness, functional and technical performance, and institutional barriers, and 3) a commercial deployment strategy based on the evaluation.

Related PATH Articles/Journals

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