Method and system for projecting dynamic parking availability based on an ongoing survey for remote lots with high demand
First Claim
1. A method of forecasting parking availability for a parking lot of given capacity comprising the steps of:
- a) upon a vehicle entering the parking lot, providing information relating to an estimated length of stay of the vehicle, associating a time of entry with said information, and issuing an identifier to the vehicle that is linked to the parking lot entry;
b) forecasting an additional number of vehicles entering and staying in the parking lot based on a remote checkpoint that identifies the additional numbers of vehicles or historical data of vehicles entering the parking lot;
c) forecasting space availability in the parking lot using the information gathered from the number of vehicles that entered the lot and the forecasted number of vehicles that will enter the lot;
d) providing the projected space availability to vehicles at one or more locations, at least one location remote from the parking lot entry so that alternative action can be taken if no parking availability exists.
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Abstract
A system forecasts parking availability for a time in the future based on driver-reported estimations of how long each vehicle in the parking area will stay and on forecasted arrivals. Current conditions in a parking area might misrepresent parking availability at the time when a driver will arrive. When accessing parking, drivers need a data input mechanism to report their expected stays, such as a smart ticket dispenser or parking meter. The data goes through a computer algorithm to forecast parking availability. This forecast can be communicated to remote parking access points.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of forecasting parking availability for a parking lot of given capacity comprising the steps of:
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a) upon a vehicle entering the parking lot, providing information relating to an estimated length of stay of the vehicle, associating a time of entry with said information, and issuing an identifier to the vehicle that is linked to the parking lot entry;
b) forecasting an additional number of vehicles entering and staying in the parking lot based on a remote checkpoint that identifies the additional numbers of vehicles or historical data of vehicles entering the parking lot;
c) forecasting space availability in the parking lot using the information gathered from the number of vehicles that entered the lot and the forecasted number of vehicles that will enter the lot;
d) providing the projected space availability to vehicles at one or more locations, at least one location remote from the parking lot entry so that alternative action can be taken if no parking availability exists. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for projecting parking availability for a parking lot of given capacity comprising:
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a) a parking area entry device which is adapted to receive information relating to an estimated length of stay of a vehicle, associate a time of entry with said information, and generate an identifier related to the vehicle that is linked to the parking area entry;
b) a database storing information received from the parking area entry, either historical information of vehicle traffic to the parking lot over time or information from a remote checkpoint which is adapted to receive information relating to a vehicle traveling to the parking lot and an estimated length of stay (or both), and optionally an exit device;
d) computing means for projecting availability of spaces in the parking lot based on database information; and
e) communicating the projected parking space availability at least in a location remote from the parking lot. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification