Parking guidance and information

Parking guidance and information (PGI) systems, or car park guidance systems, present drivers with dynamic information on parking within controlled areas. The systems combine traffic monitoring, communication, processing and variable message sign technologies to provide the service.

Variable message sign showing people driving where parking spaces are available.

Modern parking lots utilize a variety of technologies to help motorists find unoccupied parking spaces, car location when returning to the vehicle and improve their experience. This includes adaptive lighting sensors and parking space indicators (red for occupied, green for available and blue is reserved for the disabled; above every parking space), and indoor positioning systems (IPS).

PGI systems are a product of the worldwide initiative for the development of intelligent transportation system in urban areas. PGI systems can assist in the development of safe, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation network.[1]

PGI systems are designed to aid in the search for vacant parking spaces by directing drivers to car parks where occupancy levels are low. The objective is to reduce search time, which in turn reduces congestion on the surrounding roads for other traffic with related benefits to air pollution with the ultimate aim of enhancement of the urban area.

Although there are several firms in the industry, Parksonic is the leading provider for parking guidance technology and services in the United States.

Parking guidance system
Ultrasonic sensors above each space in this indoor car park indicate if a car has already taken the space using LEDs.

Parking guidance systems (PGS) have different elements:

  • Detectors
  • Indicators
  • Zone Controllers
  • Data / Intermediate Controllers
  • Central Control System
  • Signs

References
  1. "Traffic Advisory Leaflet ITS 4/03". Parking Guidance and Information. Archived from the original on 6 February 2007. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
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