Principal investigator: Dr. Hesham Rakha, Virginia Tech, 540-231-1505, hrakha@vt.edu
External contact: Steve Mouras, Office of Transportation, Virginia Tech, 540-231-4548, stmouras@vt.edu
Project objective: Develop an ITS parking management system
Project Abstract: The proposed study utilizes the Virginia Tech campus to develop a prototype real-time parking monitoring and management system. The project will install a parking monitoring system and collect data for several months, analyze that data, and identify trends in parking facility utilization. Subsequently, recommendations will be proposed to enhance the operations of the parking facilities. Finally, a real-time monitoring system will be integrated within an Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) to display parking facility utilization to the general public, in an attempt to reduce traffic congestion on campus during regular operations and during special events.
Tasks: 1) Characterize the utilization of the Virginia Tech parking facilities. 2) Develop strategies for the optimal management of on-campus parking facilities. 3) Develop a real-time parking management system for typical daily usage and special events. 4) Develop an analytical model to predict parking behavior at colleges and universities.
Milestones: Task 1 will be completed by June 30, 2004. Tasks 2 and 3 will be completed by Dec. 31, 2005. The project will be concluded by June 30, 2006. (Assumes no-cost grant extension.)
Student Involvement: One student.
Budget:
FY04
Faculty 30,000
FY05
Faculty 100,000
Student 10,000
Project
total 140,000
Relation to other research: Project builds on the equipment and wireless network used as part of a National Science Foundation (NSF) project entitled "Developing a Prototype Instrumented City."
Technology Transfer: Direct transfer to Virginia Tech traffic operations. Publication in professional journals and presentations at scientific conferences.
Potential Benefits: Improved traffic management on the Virginia Tech campus. Provision of a model of parking management for application in many other locations, particularly universities.
TRB Keywords: ITS, parking management