problems is done within an acceptable timeframe.The complex <strong>parking</strong> 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 <strong>parking</strong> 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 <strong>parking</strong>meter 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 the<strong>parking</strong> operator, so that it provides a perfectcombination of the technology and management.Modern <strong>parking</strong> systems equipment are:●●Smart <strong>parking</strong> meters●●PDA for <strong>parking</strong> controllers●●Occupancy sensors●●LED occupancy boards●●On-board tag.Smart <strong>parking</strong> metersIt is recommended to use smart <strong>parking</strong> meters,also known as pay-and-display machines, whichserve multiple on-street <strong>parking</strong> spaces. Driversneed to able to find a <strong>parking</strong> meter within closeproximity from the <strong>parking</strong> space (1 <strong>parking</strong>meter per 40 <strong>parking</strong> spaces is used). Driversenter their license plate number on the smart<strong>parking</strong> meter’s touch screen and then providedifferent payment options. Multiple paymentoptions provide a better service to drivers andincreases adherence to <strong>parking</strong> fee payment. It isrecommended to include the following paymentoptions:●●RFID card: this smart card can be integratedwith the <strong>Beijing</strong> City Transport Card, thatis already in use for payment on <strong>Beijing</strong>’smetros, buses, taxis, P+R <strong>parking</strong> 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 <strong>parking</strong>meters, or by using an app on smart phones.These apps can also provide additional informationand services, e.g. real-time vacancyof <strong>parking</strong> spaces, both on- and off-street.Cell phone payment eliminates some of theproblems associated with <strong>parking</strong> fee collection.Numerous companies offer cell phonepayment systems for <strong>parking</strong> 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 <strong>parking</strong> becauseit makes <strong>parking</strong> so much easier for drivers,who don’t need to look for coins or rush backto a meter when the paid <strong>parking</strong> time isrunning out.●●On-board tag: for fully automated <strong>parking</strong>payment, 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 <strong>parking</strong> meters communicate with themain system through wireless GSM networks(GPRS/3G/4G), for which cables are not needed.Data on <strong>parking</strong> behavior are transmitted realtimeand problems can be reported withoutthe need for manual checks. The <strong>parking</strong> meter<strong>Beijing</strong> Parking, <strong>ITDP</strong>-<strong>China</strong> 1261 March 2015
automatically sends out errors such as jammedcash, a lack of paper for receipts or full cash boxesto the main system.The system should monitor the operation ofthe meters, indicating malfunctions, forwardingfinancial, statistical and technical data in a scheduledregime to the central database for processing,storage and access. Operational parameters, suchas <strong>parking</strong> fees and times, should be able to bemodified remotely from the control center.The <strong>parking</strong> meters can also be in constantcommunication with the <strong>parking</strong> occupancy sensorsthrough RFID and transmit these data to themain system who can transmit the information tothe real-time occupancy signs.The smart <strong>parking</strong> meters should be clearlyvisible to users, operate continuously (24/7),function at very cold and hot temperatures,be vandalism-proof and operate in ChineseMandarin and English.The <strong>parking</strong> meters greatly help the governmentand operator in monitoring and managementof the <strong>parking</strong> system. The two way informationsystems in these machines allow for real-timeremote monitoring, by:●●sending information about the current workingstate and the technical condition of themachines directly from the machines; thisis used to organize the technical staff, planmaintenance schedules, and troubleshootproblems.●●sending daily information about the revenuegenerated from operations as a system and permachine, as well as usage and turnover information;this information is used to preparereports and accounts, as well as see changesin usage and determine if changes need to bemade in the <strong>parking</strong> pricing, zones, or timesof usage.These smart <strong>parking</strong> meters are different fromtraditional <strong>parking</strong> meters. Traditional <strong>parking</strong>meters control somewhere between 1 and 4specific <strong>parking</strong> spaces and accept coins or smartcard payment. The meters then display the available<strong>parking</strong> time and measure the time passedsince <strong>parking</strong> started. These meters do not provideany of the service to drivers or data to the governmentthat the proposed smart <strong>parking</strong> meters do.A solar powered <strong>parking</strong> meter in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.The number ‘6059’ underneath the P signrepresents the phone number for cell phone payment.After registering with the service online, drivers nolonger need to use the <strong>parking</strong> meter and can paythrough text messaging or with an app.Parking meter in Budapest,Hungary<strong>Beijing</strong> Parking, <strong>ITDP</strong>-<strong>China</strong> 1271 March 2015
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