Patent ID: 7049979
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: G08G

Abstract:
1. A method of forecasting parking availability for a parking lot of given capacity comprising the steps of: a) upon a vehicle entering the parking lot, providing information relating to an estimated length of stay of the vehicle, associating a time of entry with said information, and issuing an identifier to the vehicle that is linked to the parking lot entry; b) forecasting an additional number of vehicles entering and staying in the parking lot based on a remote checkpoint that identifies the additional numbers of vehicles or historical data of vehicles entering the parking lot; c) forecasting space availability in the parking lot using the information gathered from the number of vehicles that entered the lot and the forecasted number of vehicles that will enter the lot; d) providing the projected space availability to vehicles at one or more locations, at least one location remote from the parking lot entry so that alternative action can be taken if no parking availability exists.