Web-based parking and traffic management system and method

• US 20060015397A1
• Filed: 07/13/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parkmobile, LLC (Parkmobile USA)
• Original Assignee: Click and Park, LLC
• Inventors: Klug, Robert, Halleran, Thomas, Vitrano, Anthony Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,941,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/13
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/14 indicating individual free spaces in parking areas

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a web-based system and method for managing traffic and congestion associated with large events while decreasing operating costs and increasing event revenues. A user accesses a webpage to purchase a parking pass for a predetermined event via a user interface. Once the parking lot has been determined and the spectator charged for the pass, a customized map and driving directions are generated for the spectator, detailing the route to the event the spectator is to follow. The system gives the event management advanced revenues and planning information to devise evacuation plans, emergency response plans, security, and traffic pattern designs.

Claims

1. A method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network, comprising the steps of:

receiving, via a user interface, data representative of a selected event;

retrieving, from a first associated database, event information corresponding to the selected event, wherein the event information includes;

data representative of a venue for the event,

data representative of at least one available parking location, and

data representative of a cost corresponding to the at least one available parking location;

displaying the event information corresponding to the selected event to an associated user via the user interface;

receiving data representative of a payment corresponding to the available parking location; and

verifying the payment data received.

2. The method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying the event information further comprises displaying a recommended parking location and at least one available alternate parking location.

3. The method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

receiving information corresponding to a point of origin associated with the user;

retrieving a list of travel routes from the point of origin to the venue from a second associated database; and

displaying at least one travel route from the list to the associated user via the user interface.

4. The method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 3, wherein the second associated database is a third-party map database.

5. The method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the status of the user, wherein the status of the user corresponds to at least one of the group consisting of an existing customer and a new customer.

6. The method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 5, wherein the status of the user corresponds to a new customer, further comprising the steps of:

receiving data representative of user information; and

storing the user information in a user account on a user database.

7. The method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 5, wherein the status of the user corresponds to an existing user, further comprising the step of retrieving user data from a user account database.

8. The method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 1, wherein the computer network is the Internet.

9. The method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 1, wherein the user interface is located on a remote electronic device.

10. The method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 9, wherein the remote electronic device is located in one of the group consisting of a kiosk and a store.

11. A system for managing event traffic flow via a computer network, comprising:

means adapted for receiving, via a user interface, data representative of a selected event;

means adapted for retrieving, from a first associated database, event information corresponding to the selected event, wherein the event information includes;

data representative of a venue for the event,

data representative of at least one available parking location, and

data representative of a cost corresponding to the at least one available parking location;

means adapted for displaying the event information corresponding to the selected event to an associated user via the user interface;

means adapted for receiving data representative of a payment corresponding to the available parking location; and

means adapted for verifying the payment data received.

12. The system for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 11, wherein the means adapted for displaying the event information further comprises means adapted for displaying a recommended parking location and at least one available alternate parking location.

13. The system for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 12, further comprising:

means adapted for receiving information corresponding to a point of origin associated with the user;

means adapted for retrieving a list of travel routes from the point of origin to the venue from a second associated database; and

means adapted for displaying at least one travel route from the list to the associated user via the user interface.

14. The system for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 13, wherein the second associated database is a third-party map database.

15. The system for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 11, further comprising means adapted for determining the status of the user, wherein the status of the user corresponds to at least one of the group consisting of an existing customer and a new customer.

16. The system for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 15, wherein the status of the user corresponds to a new customer, further comprising:

means adapted for receiving data representative of user information; and

means adapted for storing the user information in a user account on a user database.

17. The system for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 15, wherein the status of the user corresponds to an existing user, further comprising means adapted for retrieving user data from a user account.

18. The system for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 11, wherein the computer network is the Internet.

19. The system for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 11, wherein the user interface is located on a remote electronic device.

20. The system for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 19, wherein the remote electronic device is located in one of the group consisting of a kiosk and a store.

21. A computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for managing event traffic flow via a computer network, comprising:

instructions for receiving, via a user interface, data representative of a selected event;

instructions for retrieving, from a first associated database, event information corresponding to the selected event, wherein the event information includes;

data representative of a venue for the event,

data representative of at least one available parking location, and

data representative of a cost corresponding to the at least one available parking location;

instructions for displaying the event information corresponding to the selected event to an associated user via the user interface;

instructions for receiving data representative of a payment corresponding to the available parking location; and

instructions for verifying the payment data received.

22. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 21, wherein the instructions for displaying the event information further comprises instructions for displaying a recommended parking location and at least one available alternate parking location.

23. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 22, further comprising:

instructions for receiving information corresponding to a point of origin associated with the user;

instructions for retrieving a list of travel routes from the point of origin to the venue from a second associated database; and

instructions for displaying at least one travel route from the list to the associated user via the user interface.

24. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 23, wherein the second associated database is a third-party map database.

25. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 21, further comprising instructions for determining the status of the user, wherein the status of the user corresponds to at least one of the group consisting of an existing customer and a new customer.

26. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 25, wherein the status of the user corresponds to a new customer, further comprising:

instructions for receiving data representative of user information, and instructions for storing the user information in a user account on a user database; and

wherein the status of the user corresponds to an existing user, further comprising instructions for retrieving user data from a user account.

27. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 21, wherein the computer network is the Internet.

28. The computer-readable medium of instructions with computer-readable instructions stored thereon for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 21, wherein the user interface is located on a remote electronic device, wherein the remote electronic device is located in one of the group consisting of a kiosk and a store.

29. A computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network, comprising the steps of:

receiving, via a user interface, data representative of a selected event;

retrieving, from a first associated database, event information corresponding to the selected event, wherein the event information includes;

data representative of a venue for the event,

data representative of at least one available parking location, and

data representative of a cost corresponding to the at least one available parking location;

displaying the event information corresponding to the selected event to an associated user via the user interface;

receiving data representative of a payment corresponding to the available parking location; and

verifying the payment data received.

30. The computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 29, wherein the step of displaying the event information further comprises displaying a recommended parking location and at least one available alternate parking location.

31. The computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

receiving information corresponding to a point of origin associated with the user;

retrieving a list of travel routes from the point of origin to the venue from a second associated database; and

displaying at least one travel route from the list to the associated user via the user interface.

32. The computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 31, wherein the second associated database is a third-party map database.

33. The computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 29, further comprising the step of determining the status of the user, wherein the status of the user corresponds to at least one of the group consisting of an existing customer and a new customer.

34. The computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 33, wherein the status of the user corresponds to a new customer, further comprising the steps of:

receiving data representative of user information; and

storing the user information in a user account on a user database.

35. The computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 33, wherein the status of the user corresponds to an existing user, further comprising the step of retrieving user data from a user account.

36. The computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 29, wherein the computer network is the Internet.

37. The computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 29, wherein the user interface is located on a remote electronic device.

38. The computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 37, wherein the remote electronic device is located on a kiosk.

39. The computer-implemented method for managing event traffic flow via a computer network of claim 37, wherein the remote electronic device is located in a store.