Beijing-parking-ITDP-China

problems is done within an acceptable timeframe.The complex parking system is to be managedby a single entity, best done by a contractedoperator which is responsible for the procuring,management and operation of all components inthe system, from the hardware and software to thehuman resources and administrative aspects.A modern parking system is based on anautomatic data collection, information share,equipment surveillance and task distribution.Monitoring interface can display the status offront equipment and controllers, such as parkingmeter battery status, payment amount, alarms,locations, occupancy rate of the zones, etc. Thisreduces the need for large amounts of staff.Main features of the technologyThere are two mainly parts involved in the technology-hardware and software. The technologymust be developed according to the requirementof the city as well as the rich experience of theparking operator, so that it provides a perfectcombination of the technology and management.Modern parking systems equipment are:●●Smart parking meters●●PDA for parking controllers●●Occupancy sensors●●LED occupancy boards●●On-board tag.Smart parking metersIt is recommended to use smart parking meters,also known as pay-and-display machines, whichserve multiple on-street parking spaces. Driversneed to able to find a parking meter within closeproximity from the parking space (1 parkingmeter per 40 parking spaces is used). Driversenter their license plate number on the smartparking meter’s touch screen and then providedifferent payment options. Multiple paymentoptions provide a better service to drivers andincreases adherence to parking fee payment. It isrecommended to include the following paymentoptions:●●RFID card: this smart card can be integratedwith the Beijing City Transport Card, thatis already in use for payment on Beijing’smetros, buses, taxis, P+R parking and numerousshops and services.●●Bank card (with NFC technology)●●Cash: although not a preferred option froman operational perspective (requires expensiveand intensive manual labor and is prone tovandalism and theft) the cash option withbank notes only is recommended to increaseacceptance of the system and compliance tothe fee.●●Cell phone payment: the most convenientpayment option is by cell phone. Paymentcan be done using text messages to phonenumbers clearly indicated on the parkingmeters, or by using an app on smart phones.These apps can also provide additional informationand services, e.g. real-time vacancyof parking spaces, both on- and off-street.Cell phone payment eliminates some of theproblems associated with parking fee collection.Numerous companies offer cell phonepayment systems for parking which chargecustomers a small service fee, thereby passingdown any costs associated with the service tothe customer, not the government or operator.Cell phone payment is also a good way to getbuy-in for introducing paid parking becauseit makes parking so much easier for drivers,who don’t need to look for coins or rush backto a meter when the paid parking time isrunning out.●●On-board tag: for fully automated parkingpayment, drivers can choose to register withthe operator and have an on-board tag installedin their car. This tag registers location,time and movement and detects when, whereand for how long drivers are parked. Paymentis linked to accounts and payments are processedautomatically. Overviews of paymentcan be reviewed online.Formal receipts can be printed on the meter onrequest, but tickets of payment proof need not beplaced underneath the windshield.Solar-power, with batteries for incidentaldowntime, reduce energy use and do not requiredigging up the pavement for ordinary electricitysupply with cables. This make installation muchcheaper, faster and more flexible during operation.The parking meters communicate with themain system through wireless GSM networks(GPRS/3G/4G), for which cables are not needed.Data on parking behavior are transmitted realtimeand problems can be reported withoutthe need for manual checks. The parking meterBeijing Parking, ITDP-China 1261 March 2015