Intelligent Parking Selection Guide R0 4

INTELLIGENT PARKING Design Guide Intelligent Devices, Inc 4411 Suwanee Dam Rd, Suite 510 Suwanee, Ga 30024 Phone: 770.831.3370 intelligentdevicesinc.com

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE Table of Contents: Introduction 3 Overview 3 How Does it Work? 4 Parking System Overview 6 Vehicle Sensors 7 Hardwired Ultrasonic Vehicle Sensors 7 Wireless Ultrasonic Vehicle Sensors 8 Wireless Embedded and Surface Mount Sensors 9 Loop Counting 10 Zone Controller 11 Electronic Signs 12 Zone Boards 12 Numeric Displays 12 Variable Message Signs 13 Intelligent Parking Software 13 2

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE Introduction Intelligent Parking, a parking guidance system developed by Intelligent Devices, helps drivers make smart decisions by giving them real time information on parking availability every time they have to make a decision on where to park. Intelligent Parking helps parking facilities reduce congestion, make the most of available spaces, and increase their profitability. Overview Intelligent Parking is a revolutionary product created by Intelligent Devices, Inc. that simplifies the way parking works. This system assists motorists in finding available parking in multiple parking zones – allowing them to decide where they will park long before they reach critical intersections. Information is presented to the motorist each time they have to make a decision in order to guide them to the correct lot, the correct floor, and finally to an open bay. The near 100% accuracy of Intelligent Parking erases inefficiencies in the counting process by monitoring every bay. 3

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE How does it work? Inform: Parking guidance begins a long way from the actual parking space. Motorists are able to view real time information on highway signs approaching the parking facility, on the internet, or through a PDA or cell phone. This allows the motorist to make smart decisions and, if needed, find an alternative parking source. This reduces gridlock and traffic issues associated with traditional parking lots. Direct As the motorist gets closer to their destination they can be guided to different lots within the parking facility. Intelligent Parking allows for multiple signs at different locations to display accurate information on exactly how many bays are open in any lot. Motorists are able to make a decision on which lot to park in based on real time information. Guide Upon entering a specific parking lot the motorist is given accurate data about how many spaces are available on each level of the facility. With this information the motorist can focus on getting to their chosen level rather than driving slow while scanning for a space. 4

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE Show Once the motorist arrives at their chosen level they are shown how many open spaces are available on different aisles. These zone boards are valuable in keeping traffic inside the parking facility flowing. As cars pull in and out of bays the zone boards are updated in real time. This ensures maximum usage of the available spaces. Assist Through the use of individual parking sensors the motorist can easily navigate the aisle to an open bay. The bay sensors above the space show a green light if the space is available and instantly turn red once the space is occupied. Parking availability data is constantly being transmitting from the sensors to the signs in order to keep the whole system updated with real time information. Manage The Intelligent Parking system is managed and controlled by a suite of software developed by Intelligent Devices. The Intelligent Parking software works seamlessly with the network of individual sensors and allows access to the system through a single control center. This unparalleled level of control allows you to view exactly what is happening at every stage of the system. 5

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE Parking System Overview The Intelligent Parking System is designed to allow motorists approaching a parking area to make an informed decision on where to park long before they reach each critical decision making point. Using effective traffic and safety engineering, Intelligent Parking then guides the motorists to these open bays with minimum effort in the shortest time possible. • The heart of the system is in the individual parking bays where a sensor is placed in each bay to determine if the bay is occupied or vacant. • The parking area is then divided into zones which consist of groups of parking bays for which there are a limited number of entrances and exits, and typically consists of a contiguous row of parking bays. Each zone can contain up to 127 parking bays. • Each zone is controlled by a zone controller which is linked to each sensor in the zone. The controller monitors the status of each bay and displays this information on the Zone Display Boards which are located at each entrance and exit of the zone. The Zone Display Boards display the current number of available bays, along with a green arrow (if there are any available bays) or a red X (if there are not). 6

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE • Each Zone Controller Board is connected to a central database running the Intelligent Parking software. The communications between the Zone Controller Boards and the Intelligent Parking database server is achieved via NTCIP over Ethernet. • Intelligent Parking Software gives the client an effective tool to monitor, operate and maintain the entire parking facility effectively and efficiently. Additional signs such as Numeric Display Boards and Variable Message Signs can also be added to the system. Numeric Display boards can be used to display information such as the number of available parking bays on each parking level on multiple level parking facilities. These signs are typically used in conjunction with static signs to further enhance their efficiency. Variable Message Signs are ideal for placing at parking entrances and on the roadway to provide motorists with real time information on parking availability in different parking areas. Intelligent Parking also has the possibility of an online reservation system for users to reserve parking at the facility. Vehicle Sensors Hardwired Ultrasonic Vehicle Sensors These sensors use ultrasonic technology to detect whether a vehicle is present under the sensor and have integrated LED status indicators. The sensor is suitable for indoor use, where there is a roof over the parking bay. One sensor is mounted directly above each parking bay and is hardwired for power (12VDC – 24VDC) as well as data (RS485). The sensor sends out ultrasonic pulses on regular intervals and measures the response time of the reflected signals to determine if there is a vehicle in the parking bay or not. The LED status indicators are visible by 360 degrees and are used to indicate whether the parking bay is vacant or occupied. 7

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE The sensor is able to function in an autonomous mode, meaning it will still be able to detect vehicles and display the parking bay status even if communications to the Zone Controller and Intelligent Parking database server are lost. Wireless Ultrasonic Vehicle Sensors Similar to the hardwired ultrasonic vehicle sensor this sensor is also mounted overhead but is mounted on two tensioned PVC coated copper cables. The power (12VDC – 24VDC) is tapped off the mounting cables through connector pins that pierce the cable when the sensor is clipped into place. Communication for this sensor is achieved through a wireless X-Bee mesh network which means there is no need to lay cables for communication. The sensor sends out ultrasonic pulses on regular intervals and measures the response time of the reflected signals to determine if there is a vehicle in the parking bay or not. The LED status indicators are visible by 360 degrees and are used to indicate whether the parking bay is vacant or occupied. The sensor is able to function in an autonomous mode, meaning it will still be able to detect vehicles and display the parking bay status even if communications to the Zone Controller and Intelligent Parking database server are lost. There are four basic statuses that can be displayed by the sensor to the motorist: Status LEDs Red Occupied Green Vacant Amber Reserved Blue Disabled/Handicap parking 8

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE Wireless Embedded and Surface Mount Sensors These sensors are wireless for communication as well as power making them ideal for outdoor parking facilities. The advantage of wireless is that no cabling is needed for power or communication. Two types of sensors are available: embedded and surface mount. The embedded sensors are installed below the surface of the ground which makes them ideal for installations where the sensor needs to be unobtrusive. For example, areas where snow plows are used to clear the parking lot in winter and could damage the sensor if it was not embedded. The surface mount sensors can either be glued or bolted down and are ideal for locations where drilling into the surface is not possible, such as reinforced concrete parking structures. These sensors determine whether a parking bay is occupied or not by measuring very small fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetic field caused by large iron or steel objects, such as cars. The sensor wakes up every 15 seconds to measure this field. If the measurement has changed to a stable level, a message is transmitted through the Router Box to the Zone Controller. Even if no change is detected, the sensor will transmit the data to the Zone Controller every two minutes, to ensure the controller that it is still operating properly. Power to the sensor is supplied from 4 D-cells that provide a minimum battery life of 6 years. Wireless communication is achieved via X-Bee network technology. The complete wireless network between the sensor and the Zone Controller is made up of a Wireless Magnetic Sensor placed in each bay, a wireless router near to the monitored bays and a Coordinator which is connected to a Zone Controller. 9

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE Parking availability is displayed on the Zone Boards placed at the entrance to each zone. Note that no indi- cation is given to the driver of the status of each individual bay with LED’s. Loop Counting Embedded loops are place in the ground to track vehicles that enter and exit a designated parking area. Based on the vehicle count the number of available parking bays available inside the parking area can be displayed on sign at the entrance. The disadvantage of this system is that once a motorist has entered the parking area, they receive no additional information about the location of available parking bays. These systems are not as accurate as an individual bay monitoring system. 10

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE Zone Controller The Zone Controller which is also referred to as a Data Concentrator, are normally placed near the entrance of each predefined zone. The Zone Controllers monitor the status of each parking sensor in the zone in real-time by polling the sensors for their status and relaying this information to the Intelligent Parking database server. The parking availability information gathered by the Zone Controller is also displayed on a Zone Board placed at the entrance of the zone. Each Zone Controller with its connected parking sensors (up to 127) and Zone Board can operate as an autonomous system to indicate the number of available bays in the zone. The Zone Controller includes an IDI controller such as an IDI 1320 card. This card is equipped with one Ethernet port and two RS232 ports to enable communication with the central control system as well as allowing a technician onsite to plug in a laptop and run diagnostic software for maintenance, calibration or fault finding. The Zone Controller also has two RS485 ports which are used to connect to the hardwired sensors and the Zone Boards. If the Zone Controller is being used with the wireless parking sensors it will also have a Wireless Coordinator card connected to one of the serial ports. This allows the Zone Controller to communicate to the wireless sensors through the X-Bee network of coordinators, routers and sensors. The Zone Controller is powered by 24VDC which is provided by a switching power supply that is housed in the same enclosure as the Zone Controller. Power for the sensors and Zone Boards are also provide from the same switching power supply. In cases where the Zone Controller is used outdoors with the wireless sensors, power may be provided by a solar panel and battery. 11

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE Electronic Signs Zone Boards One Zone Board is placed at the entrance to each parking zone to indicate the number of available parking bays. When there are bays available in the zone the number of available bays is displayed on the Zone Board along with a Green arrow pointing in the direction of the parking bays. When there are no available bays in the zone, the Zone Board will display a zero and a red X to indicate the zone is full. The Zone Board is made up of individual LED character panels. These panels can be arranged with the Green arrow on the left or right of the Zone Board depending on the direction of traffic flow into the zone. Each LED panel is 7 pixels high x 5 pixels wide and is capable of pixel monitoring, making reporting of pixel failures to the Central Control System via the Zone Controller possible. Communication to the Zone Board is done via the Zone Controllers RS485 port and power is provided by the Zone Controllers 12VDC switching power supply. Numeric Displays Numeric Displays are used in conjunction with static signs to display additional information about the parking area to the motorists. These signs typically display information to motorists about parking availability at critical decision making points such as entrances to multi level parking facilities. Displays may also be combined with the static signs on gantries over multilane roadways to indicate which parking facilities are open, full, or closed helping guide the motorist to the nearest available parking. Like the Zone Boards, the Numeric Displays are made up of individual LED character panels each being 7 pixels high x 5 pixels wide. 12

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE Variable Message Signs Intelligent Parking makes it possible to place messages on any NTCIP-compliant signs including Variable Message Signs. Placed over or beside a roadway leading to a parking facility, these signs can be used to inform motorists of parking conditions for the entire facility. Messages such as “SOUTH LOT FULL, USE NORTH LOT” or “ALL LOTS FULL, USE OFF-SITE PARKING” can be easily be display using these Variable Message Signs. Intelligent Parking Software The Intelligent Parking software is an effective software tool developed by Intelligent Devices and is part of the Intelligent NETworks software suite designed to monitor, operate and maintain the entire parking facility effectively and efficiently. Benefits of Intelligent Parking: 1. Increased customer satisfaction by helping them find a parking space with minimum effort in the shortest time possible. 2. Less congestion due to fewer vehicles driving around looking for parking. 3. Reduction in time and fuel spent by road user searching for parking. 4. Fewer lines as motorists go to parking areas with the most available spaces. 5. Better flow of traffic reduces the carbon footprint of motorists. 6. Better utilization of parking availability can increase parking revenue. Sources of Parking Data: Intelligent Parking can operate using a variety of data sources for parking information, including: • Integration to an existing Parking Management System • In/Out counter system using loops or other detector technologies. • Individual bay monitoring using hardwired or wireless sensors 13

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE Intelligent Parking is a Windows based software platform which can run as a stand alone system or in a client/ server architecture. Intelligent Parking has a map based user interface which allows the selection of different views of parking areas. In the case of multi-story parking facilities this allows you to drill down to the different levels. Each view gives you an instant real time overview of the operational status of that specific parking zone with regards to: • Number of Open Bays • Number of Occupied Bays • Number of Reserved Bays • Number of Handicapped Bays • Reserved Bays occupied past their reserved time • Vehicles Parked in excess of XXX Days • Faulty sensors The User interface also gives instant health status of all connected devices such as Zone Controllers, sensors and Variable Message Signs. All connected devices can be configured and controlled from this user interface. Intelligent Parking has multiple user levels with password access and records a full audit trail for all logged on operators. Intelligent Parking has full report writing facilities. 14

INTELLIGENT PARKING SELECTION AND DESIGN GUIDE System Reports These reports reflect the status and health of the system over time, and include the following reports as standard: • Communication Statistics Summary by Date By Device (this key performance indicator indicates the overall health of the communication system) • Communications Statistics By Date By Device • Operator Activity by Date (an operator audit trail report) • Current Operators • Offline History By Device By Date • Sensor Errors By Device By Date Parking Data Reports These reports reflect the current and historical parking activity. Current reports can be viewed and printed for violation enforcement. Historical reports can be used for trend analysis. • Current Parking Utilization By Zone • Parking Utilization Summary by Zone By Date • Parking Utilization Detail By Zone By day, week, month, year • Current Overstay Violations By Zone • Overstay Violation By Zone By date • Current Reservations By Zone • Current Reservation Overstay Violation By Zone • Estimated Parking Revenue • Average time bays are occupied by day, week, month, year • Bay stay reporting • Sensor Failures • Estimated Revenue Collected 15

Intelligent Devices, Inc 4411 Suwanee Dam Rd, Suite 510 Suwanee, Ga 30024 Phone: 770.831.3370 intelligentdevicesinc.com

Intelligent Parking Selection Guide R0 4

by Peter Ashley

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