ipark4u analyse rapport 2010-07-02 final vim uk

7/22/2019 Ipark4u Analyse Rapport 2010-07-02 Final Vim UK

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Flanders Institute for Mobility - Vlaams Instituut voor Mobiliteit vzw

Wetenschapspark 13

B-3590 Diepenbeek

T +32 11 24 60 00

F +32 11 24 60 09

E [email protected]

www.vim.be

Project report IPark4U


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Flanders Institute for Mobiltiy Report IPark4U Pag. 2 of 18

Table of content

Intro 31 Research questions 4

1.1 Project organization 52 Technical description 5

2.1 Front-end technology 52.2 Back-end technology 6

3 What were the use cases? 83.1 Use case 1: What is the nearest and available public parking garage? 83.2 Use case 2: How can I pay in-car, off-street? 93.3 Use case 3: Hoe can I pay ON-STREET? 103.4 Use case 4: How to get parking information on my iPhone? 123.5 The missing use case: How can I reserve my parking space? 133.6 The accidental use case: Where is my stolen vehicle parked? 14

4 The demonstration with test users 144.1 User feedback 145 Analysis of the potential 15

5.1 Technological challenges 155.2 Societal relevance 165.3 Business Opportunities and Threats 16

5.3.1 IPark4U opportunities? 165.3.2 Threats for IPark4U? 18


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Intro

There is an increasing demand for parking infrastructure and information. Innovative solutions areneeded to fulfill the demand.The IPark4U demonstration project wanted to show that there is a pragmatic match possiblebetween technology and parking information needs. The broader goal of the project is to usetechnology to create a parking service in city environments to reduce parking searching traffic andoffer the driver a quality service.

In IPark4U an on-board unit (OBU) based system was developed that combined in car navigationwith real time parking information, with the option for the driver to change his SATNAV (satellitenavigation) destination to a parking of his choice, near final destination. Also the paymenttransactions could be done via the OBU, and/or the mobile phone of the driver.

So: navigation, parking en payment in 1 service!

The technological innovation niche of IPark4U was the offering of a quality in car, real time, dynamicparking availability information service in the neighborhood of the destination address, including apayment service.

Dr. Sven Maerivoet (Transport & Mobility Leuven)Bart Lowyck (Flanders Institute for Mobility - Vlaams Instituut voor Mobiliteit)


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1 Research questions

As mentioned in the introduction the aim was to offer the driver dynamic - quality - real time- neardestination parking information with an option to be guided to a selected parking garage and afterparking being able to pay for the elapsed parking time. How?

The information was to be offered in-car, on anOBU (on board unit) or on a Smartphone(iPhone) application.

UnderReal-time we understand minute based information about parking availability.

The informationquality depends on the precision of measurement in the parking garagesthemselves: since this is the (local) decision basis to accept or refuse extra cars in theparking garage, it is accurate enough for this project.

Dynamic implies that the information is time dependent: see the real time aspect of theproject.

The parking spaces to which the driver was guided all are located in parking garages. Near destinationmeans that the driver has to be able to define his destination and receive

route guidance information. Thepayment function isusable for off-street and on street parking, and isbased on the

Belgian SMS parking system.

The information sent to the drivers is not the prediction of availability on the estimated time of theirarrival, but the actual availability. Predicting availabilty would be an interesting study case. Theassumption was that the driver himself would be able to estimate the probable occupancy of the

destination parking in function of the actual number of spaces left, travel time still to be covered andtime of day of arrival.

Research questions:

What is needed to create an IPark4U service?Displaying relevant parking info in-car, with payment functionality and route

guidance.

How?Via an on-board unit and/or Smartphone.

Where?

Q-Park parking garages in Antwerp (Rubens, Astrid), Brussels-Centre, Leuven HeiligHart, and all Belgian Cities with SMS-parking coverage.

Who?15 selected test drivers.

When?

March 2009 March 2010.

The project is mainly intended as a technical demonstration in which (1) it is demonstrated that theconcept is technologically feasible, and is implemented for a selected Group of test users, (2)collaboration between different Parking related parties with technology parties is shown, and (3)

possible business cases are identitfied.


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1.1 Project organizationThe project was initiated by the Flanders Institute for Mobility (Vlaams Instituut voor Mobiliteit or

VIM) in collaboration with a group of private companies. Within the network of VIM there are 170organizations present (private companies, government, knowledge centers, trade organizations).

For IPark4U VIM brought together following companies:

GEO Solutions Mobile-For Q-Park SKIDATA Fleetronic Eurotronics TeleAtlas Oracle Transport & Mobility Leuven

In this cooperative project nearly all partners financed their own participation. VIM took charge ofthe project organization, did the follow up of the test users and financed the remaining loose ends(some hardware, assembly, development, analysis and reporting).

2 Technical description

The system is a combination of front-end and back-end technology:

2.1 Front-end technologyThe front-end consists of the OBUs: these are GPS navigation devices with the ability tocommunicate over GPRS/GSM. These units were installed in the test cars without damaging the cars


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interiors. The OBU receives power from the car battery. The next photo shows the visible part of theOBU: the navigation device with touch screen display:

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There is a second part of the installation, hidden under the dashboard: the track and trace unitthrough which the communication with the IPark4U servers is realized

Parking payments can be done directly on the OBU touch screen, through a customized service ofthe SMS parking payment operator Mobile For with their 4411 service.

The OBU uses the Geo Solution Navigation program, based on the 2009 BENELUX Teleatlas maps,which means that also normal SATNAV functionality is possible.

Extra there was also an iPhone-app on parking availability (without navigation function).

2.2 Back-end technologyThe back-end technology is spread over multiple components. These are responsible for:

Collection and distribution of parking information, coming from the public parking garages. The SMS payment traffic.

The participating public parking garages were:

1. Antwerp Astridplein (station).2. Antwerp Rubens.3. Brussels Centre.4. Brussels Louise.5. Leuven Heilig Hart (hospital).

The project was set up on basis of a reference architecture in which each partner did hiscontribution. The parking garages of Q-Parkthrough the SKIDATAHOSTCOM-module make a widearray of parking data available in a XML-standard. Upon calculation between the final destinationand parking garage, the calculation was made via the TeleAtlas/Oracle Innovation Center(TOIC). In this calculation map technology was used, so one-way streets were taken into

consideration... Fleetronic OBUs were used in the project, equipped with GEO Solutionscustomized SATNAV software. The payment transactions were handled by the servers from Mobile-


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For. The hub of the infrastructure is the CiPark1database the common access point for all parkingrelated information. In IPark4U context it was fed by the Hostcom-module.

Reference Architecture:

1CiPark = Centrally Integrated Parkingplatform (see Vlaams Servicehuis Parkeren below).


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3 What were the use cases?

4 use-cases were implemented. These describe from a user perspective which steps are to be takento reach the set goals:

Use case 1: What is the nearest and available public parking garage? Use case 2: How can I pay in my car, off-street? Use case 3: How can I pay in my car, on-street? Use case 4: Can I get dynamic parking information on my iPhone?

3.1 Use case 1: What is the nearest and available public parking garage?On the OBU the nearest public parking garage and the available parking spaces can be found. Sinceonly 5 parking garages participated nearest could be quite far in reality. To activate this service theuser has only to push the P button on the touch screen (top right corner)

The system replies with the nearest found parking, indicating how many spaces are still free on thetotal capacity of that particular site. Also the (driving) distance to the site is indicated.


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If the driver confirms that he accepts the suggested selection, the OBU will navigate automatically tothe new destination:

Second possibility is first to enter a destination on the SATNAV, and only then to start the auto-search for a parking facility near that destination. If a suitable choice is found, the driver can decideto change the SATNAV destination to that parking instead of the final destination. Remark: in thetest the system only looks for parking options in a radius of max 5 km of the final destination. Ifnone were found the message no parkings available was given.

3.2 Use case 2: How can I pay in-car, off-street?Upon entering the parking garage the driver takes a parking ticket. Before leaving the parking thedriver can pay for the parking via his OBU using the code on the ticket. This code has to be enteredon the OBU over the touch screen interface. The OBU makes a GPRS connection to Mobile Forpayment servers:

The payment is linked to the SMS-payment service based on the cell-phone account of the driver. Sohe will be billed that way. This also means that the clearing of the parking ticket can be done fromthe cell Phone of the user instead of via the OBU.


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Upon leaving the parking, the validated ticket is fed into the reader at the barrier. The validity ischecked on the Skidata servers and the barrier opens

3.3 Use case 3: Hoe can I pay ON-STREET?For street side parking spaces (Mobile For) SMS parking is available in the cities of: Antwerp,Beveren, Bruges, Diest, Hasselt, Kortrijk, Leuven, Lokeren, Schaarbeek, Tienen, Turnhout andWetteren. In the normal SMS parking use case the driver has to text the zone code depicted on thenearest pay and display machine + his license plate number in an SMS and send this info to theservice number 4411. Using the IPark4U OBU the procedure is even simpler since the position codeis not necessary (GPS knows position) and also the license plate number is known in the OBU. Thisinformation is forwarded by simply pushing the start parking button on the touch screen.

After the OBU has transmitted the data over GPRS to the Geo Solutions servers where theconversion of GPS coordinates is done to the SMS parking zone code, that information together withthe cell phone number of the driver is forwarded to the Mobile for servers for billing and clearing.The actual billing will be done either directly on the cell phone bill (only for Proximus customers) orvia a separate monthly 4411 bill.


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After parking the car the driver pushes the Start P button, to end the parking session stop P. Toend a session alternatively the cell phone can be used (texting Q to 4411). The manual option isuseful since you can already text a simple Q while walking back to the car!

The calculation of total amount (on a minute based rate) is handled automatically by the systemand the driver receives an SMS confirmation of it.


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Due to the link of IPark4U with the mobile phone of the user there is a very useful mobile IPark4Uinterface. For example: prolong the street side parking session when the maximum parking time isreached (without having to go back to the car). Upon maximum time the driver receives an alert-

SMS, on which can be replied (per SMS) that extension of the parking session is to be done.

3.4 Use case 4: How to get parking information on my iPhone?Similar to usecase1 real time parking information is offered to iPhone users. In the custom madeapp the user will see a map with all registered public parking lots:

After selecting a specific parking lot, the real time availability is collected and displayed on screen.


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3.5 The missing use case: How can I reserve my parking space?This is a logical and interesting use case: being able to reserve a place from the OBU in your car.

Due to the following arguments made, this use case was not withheld in IPark4U:

In the case of parking space reservation there are a number of difficulties. Reservation ismost useful in parking garages that are almost fully occupied. In that case parking accesswill not be granted to non- reservators and they will find the barrier(s) not opening ->queue before the barriers. Then you need a separate entrance for reserved space users! Toreserve the individual spaces within the parking lot is the second (infrastructural) problem :first solution : an inner-car park a extra barrier disclosable zone within the parking,second solution simply keep the last x reserved spaces available by closing the barrier intime for non reserved customers. For the second solution the last few spaces are usuallydifficult to find and often not very comfortable (smallest parking spaces, badly parked

neighbors,) In that case an inner parking guidance system based on individual parkingspaces detectors is a necessity for larger and or complexer parking garages.

Pricing: should reserved parking spaces be more expensive? If so, how much moreexpensive? If there is no reservation cost calculated, perhaps there is the need for anannulation cost (to compensate missed income). ETA (estimated time of arrival): how sooncan one declare a reserved space as a no-show? When creating the possibility forreservation there are considerable investments to be done in the parking infrastructure : canthese costs be recovered by the (little?) extra income from reservation?

Identification: how can the reserving party be identified? Identification solutions based oncredit card, license plate recognition, barcodes, RFiD, are available but come with a cost !

Considering the arguments above one quickly comes to the conclusion that is an unwise investmentto adapt existing parking garages for reservation unless there is a solid business case that can

justify considerably higher parking rates. It is however to be considered upon planning a new

parking infrastructure, then the extra cost is manageable and if the location of the parking fits thebunisess cases conditions, a reservation system can be profitable .


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On-street reservation of parking spaces is (at this time) not met by a technical solution that isaffordable.

3.6 The accidental use case: Where is my stolen vehicle parked?Interesting though not intentional: 1 of the test vehicles was stolen on February 5th 2010. Thanksto the tracking module in IPark4U, the vehicle was recovered the same day.

4 The demonstration with test users

After technological implementation the system was tested by 15 users. Their cars were equippedwith the IPark4U OBU. In the OBU their license plate number and cell phone number were enteredas parameters for identification and billing.

4.1 User feedbackDuring the testing period, a number of parameters were saved. One of the more important resultparameters was the number of successfully handled transactions. These concerned both off-street ason-street SMS based payments and the vast majority were successful.

The most important feedback came for the test users themselves, so modifications and correctionscould be made to the system. The feedback can be catalogued in 4 categories:

On-board unit

The OBUs booting time is too long: should be faster specifically for the parkingfunctions. Navigation is less critical

The touch screen is insufficiently readable in sunny conditions. The OBUs touch screen has to be switched on/off An always on or standby version

would be more comfortable to, avoid waiting times. This is important when returning tothe car as well for on-street as for off-street parking: waiting 30 seconds to startentering a parking ticket number or to press the stop P is irritating.

A useful improvement of the system would be an automatic end of on-street parking:upon starting and moving of the car.

A theft proof installation of the touch screen or an easier decoupling system from thedashboard would be handy. Occasional problems with urban canyons inaccuracy of positioning. Automatic transition functionality between night and day view of the screen should be

added. A number of times the software failed without probable cause.Navigation

The back-end calculation of the distance between parking and final destination overestimates the distance since it is not using walking distance but driving distance (oneway roads!).

Also the indication of the walking route upon arriving in the parking would be handy;ideally interaction between OBU and Smartphone with walking navigation on the

smartphone. Indication of ETA instead of remaining travelling time


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Automatic destination detection by coupling of (outlook) agenda with the navigationdevice.

One user reported lower accuracy in Brussels then previously used SATNAV systems. Some minor SATNAV errors were reported (wrong indication of direction, incorrect local

map data). After choosing a parking as new destination have the option to cancel this choice and go

back to the initial destination.

Parking Off-street

All (public) parkings should be available in the system, also useful without parkingavailability information.

Park & Ride functionality: upon approach of a P+R the driver should be informed aboutprice and (estimated) travel time to his final destination using P+R.

SMS-parking, On-street

The P button on de navigation screen should be useable for SMS parking on-street aswell (without having to use the sub menu).

Upon entering an SMS parking zone this could be indicated on screen + pricing local on-street vs. nearby off-street parking garages.

Automatic ending of parking sessions upon detection of vehicle movement. Some startup faults were removed (e.g. Not recognized zones, failing end of session

message ...).

Apart from the feedback most test users agreed that the payment comfort had increased : theimproved SMS parking service just press P and the parking session starts/stops is even handierthen normal SMS parking where you still have to text the zone codes en license plate number

5 Analysis of the potential

In this final chapter the potential of IPark4U is analyzed.We consider the technological challenges, the societal relevance and finally the businessopportunities and threats.

5.1

Technological challenges

Apart from the technological demonstration, IPark4U is more importantly a case of successful inter-company collaboration. The fundamental idea was to use existing technology to create a platform forquick results, with an all in one service for the users, consisting of:

Real time parking info on the SATNAV device. Route guidance to a selected parking near the final destination. Payment in-car for off-street and on-street parking.

The First and main challenge is the project organization: it is not a simple thing to orchestratecollaboration between 10 different organizations and companies. In most projects these kind ofcollaborations end in the attempt of individual companies to push their technology, without keeping

the desired final result in mind. That way the original goals are often only partially met.


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During the IPark4U project this was a point of attention from the beginning and close collaborationwas realized to meet fully the desired goals.

Second challenge (not to be underestimated) is the organization of exchange of company owned

data. For IPark4U there were some NDAs (non disclosure agreements) to be established.Technically this is not a problem but when the legal department steps in . There were somedelays in establishing the documents and getting the right signatures of the different boards ofdirectors (who had to be informed and convinced).

Third challenge: the implementation. The plan on paper is always a little simpler then duringrealization. Some minor unforeseen developments were to be done, but since the willingness tocooperate existed no real problems were encountered.

Fourth challenge signal quality. Both GPS and GPRS have their limitations in signal reception: incovered areas like garages and under trees the exact position cannot be calculated: last knownposition was to be used. For GPRS the problem is smaller, only in the deeper underground parkingsthe signal fades, and a technical solution (Signal repeater) was possible.

Other challenges: important in a potential business case for the future: privacy and security. Sincethe position and identity of the IPark4U user is to be known to be able to offer the service dealingwith - and transparency about how this information is used and secured is necessary.

5.2 Societal relevanceIn most cites a parking policy is deployed where the aim is to get the right car on the right parkingspot. The measures most often used are price differentiation, creating /eliminating parking spaces,and static or dynamic parking guidance system/panels streetside.The integration of all the information of this policy into the SATNAV navigation systems is the

obvious next step. In that way the policy goals are easier met and the user comfort increases.

IPark4U allows to manage the information sent to users: apart from sending the dynamic parkinginformation this will allow cities to add info like planned events, road works, local market days, :dynamic routing! So not only can the users be guided to a free parking space, but they even can beguided away from obstacles on the way there. This allows higher city amenity by less traffic jamsless kilometers driven, so better air quality and less noise pollution.

Travelling to an unknown city, or city area, leads to stress and anxiety. IPark4U can take that stressaway (without having to prepare the trip). Relaxed drivers can focus better on the traffic situationthen those in search for a parking solution. Hence higher traffic safety

If (anonimized) user information is fed back to the parking operators and cities, a better image of

the parking demand can be formed, to be followed by measures like price adaptations or rerouting.

5.3 Business opportunities and threats

5.3.1 IPark4U opportunities?IPark4U is a development project from which a further commercial continuation can be started. Butalso some (R&D) spin-off projects are possible, some examples:

Registration technology for onstreet parking, e.g. wireless sensor networks


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Automated parking differentiation: customized parking information for drivers, otherinformation given the context of the driver (long term parking short term parking,business/holiday,)

Offer maximizing measures and concepts: to include private parking spaces in the managedparking pool (e.g. banks, supermarkets, hotels hospitals, private home)

Multimodality (P+R, connectivity, park & taxi, ...) as a service linked to the parking service.Concerning the integration of private home parking space there are already some systemsoperational: SpotScout & SpotCast2, where SpotCasters via a website indicate where and whenthey have vacant space at a certain price. The SpotScouts can find afterwards the best availableparking via the same website: a self-regulating free market, to be integrated in the IPark4U system.

A similar initiative was taken by Gemeentelijk Autonoom Parkeerbedrijf Antwerpen (GAPA). On theirplatform named Parkeermakelaar3 (parking broker), both public- as private parkings aredynamically integrated.

In the Netherlands a similar system exists, with the emphasis on private home and companyparkings:

In order to create ANY viable commercial environment based on parking data, there has to exist acomplete set of (reliable) information. We at VIM believe that the installation of a central and neutralorganization, preferably non profit could facilitate the collection, validation and distribution ofparking data: a Flemish service point for parking. Gradually this should become the collection pointof all parking related data, starting with the information of public parking garages and city parking(on-street) parking information. The information can be made available to application developers ofall kind (at a certain cost/license, mainly to compensate for the data creating and collection andvalidation costs).Next figure depicts a possible organization scheme:

2http://www.spotscout.com/3http://www.parkereninantwerpen.be/parkeermakelaar/


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5.3.2 Threats for IPark4U?When more parties are to be involved in the project, competition will get bigger. The navigationindustry has an advantage since they have a direct link to the customers in their cars (with theirnewest connected PNDs (personal navigation devices)). On the other hand the traffic informationproviders also have their channels to potential users. Question is who will offer a complete(affordable) service. This is not a threat to IPark4U, but more for the already formed partnershipsduring the project. For IPark4U the competition can be a boost to faster technological developments.

ipark4u analyse rapport 2010-07-02 final vim uk

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