PARKING SPACE MANAGEMENT USING VIRTUAL PARKING SPACES

Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for management of virtual parking spaces. Aspects include determining a demand level for parking in geographic area, identifying one or more virtual parking spaces in the geographic area that can be allocated to meet the demand level and receiving a parking request from a vehicle in the geographic area. In response to receiving the parking request, aspects also include allocating one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to a vehicle based on a characteristic of the vehicle. Aspects further include transmitting identification information of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to the vehicle, wherein the identification information includes a location and a dimension of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to parking space management and more specifically, to methods, systems and computer program products for parking space management using virtual parking spaces.

With the exponential rise in number of vehicles in cities and semi-urban areas in both developed and developing nations, parking space has become a much sought-after resource. Accordingly, the management of parking in an efficient manner is important. While current systems for managing parking spaces exist, such systems attempt to manage the supply of a fixed set of parking spaces by adjusting the cost of using the spaces based on demand.

Advances in communications technologies, the Internet of things and mobile devices have made it possible for automobiles to virtually connect to smarter transportation infrastructure. However, present solutions are based on static physical parking space allocations and are not able to dynamically adjust the supply of parking spaces in any given area.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an embodiment, a method for management of virtual parking spaces is provided. The method includes determining a demand level for parking in geographic area, identifying one or more virtual parking spaces in the geographic area that can be allocated to meet the demand level and receiving a parking request from a vehicle in the geographic area. In response to receiving the parking request, the method also includes allocating one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to a vehicle based on a characteristic of the vehicle. The method further includes transmitting identification information of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to the vehicle, wherein the identification information includes a location and a dimension of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces.

In accordance with another embodiment, a system for management of virtual parking spaces includes a processor in communication with one or more types of memory. The processor is configured to determine a demand level for parking in geographic area, identify one or more virtual parking spaces in the geographic area that can be allocated to meet the demand level and receive a parking request from a vehicle in the geographic area. In response to receiving the parking request, the processor is configured to allocate one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to a vehicle based on a characteristic of the vehicle. The processor is also configured to transmit identification information of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to the vehicle, wherein the identification information includes a location and a dimension of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces.

In accordance with a further embodiment, a computer program product for management of virtual parking spaces includes a non-transitory storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes determining a demand level for parking in geographic area, identifying one or more virtual parking spaces in the geographic area that can be allocated to meet the demand level and receiving a parking request from a vehicle in the geographic area. In response to receiving the parking request, the method also includes allocating one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to a vehicle based on a characteristic of the vehicle. The method further includes transmitting identification information of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to the vehicle, wherein the identification information includes a location and a dimension of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Characteristics are as follows:

Service Models are as follows:

Deployment Models are as follows:

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, methods, systems and computer program products for managing virtual parking spaces are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a virtual parking space is a parking space that does not have fix boundaries, which allows the configuration of the parking space to be modified based on real-time demand. For example, in a parking lot comprised of virtual parking spaces, the size, location and layout of the parking lot can be modified by adjusting the boundaries of each of the parking spaces. Such re-configurable parking solutions can be used to more efficiently allocate the available parking area to the cars that need it. Some cars may require larger spaces due to the size of the car and in addition autonomous, or self-driving, cars may require less space to maneuver in and out of the parking space than human operated cars.

In exemplary embodiments, a parking space management system for managing virtual parking spaces is configured to use virtual parking demarcation and allocation using data generated by traffic sensors for supply management and allocation of parking. The allocation or a virtual parking space is determined by parking space management system and an identification of the allocated parking space is transmitted to a vehicle. The transmitted information is used to identify and demarcate the allocated parking space and assist drivers and self-driven vehicles for navigation, parking assistance and electronic payment for use of the space.

Thus, as configured inFIG. 3, the system100includes processing capability in the form of processors101, storage capability including system memory114and mass storage104, input means such as keyboard109and mouse110, and output capability including speaker111and display115. In one embodiment, a portion of system memory114and mass storage104collectively store an operating system to coordinate the functions of the various components shown inFIG. 3.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a system200for managing virtual parking spaces is illustrated. As illustrated, the system200includes a parking space management system202, one or more vehicles210, one or more vehicle detection sensors220and an external data source204. In exemplary embodiments, the parking space management system202receives a request for an allocation of a parking space from a vehicle210and uses information received from the vehicle210, the vehicle detection sensors220and the external data source204to allocate a virtual parking space to the vehicle210. Once the allocation of the virtual parking space has been made, the parking space management system202transmits identification information to the vehicle210, which is used by the vehicle210to park in the allocated space. In one embodiment, the vehicle210may use the identification information r, as well as 3-D holograph imagery for assisting a user of the vehicle in parking.

In exemplary embodiments, the parking space management system202uses the sensors220to capture traffic density data, parking usage/availability data. In addition, the parking space management system202is configured to access external data sources204to obtain other relevant data such as weather or local events (e.g. sporting, festivals, celebrations etc.). In one embodiment, historical parking and traffic data can be used to identify the best predictive factors for parking demand, while real-time data would be used for real-time analysis of the parking demand in the geographical area (e.g. suburb, street, mall etc.).

In exemplary embodiments, the parking space management system202is configured to perform run-time supply management using real-time data and predictive forecasting to identify number and location of virtual parking slots that are needed to meet anticipated demand. In addition, the parking space management system202is configured to determine virtual parking space allocations based on the characteristics of vehicles that request parking allocations. The characteristics of vehicles can include, but are not limited to, a size and type of a vehicle. In addition, the parking space management system202may be configured to determine virtual parking space allocations based on the preferences of users of vehicles that request parking allocations. The preferences of users of vehicles may include, but are not limited to, distance between space and destination, time of day, preferred location, and the like. In one embodiment, the parking space management system202may be embodied in a processing system such as the one shown inFIG. 3. In another embodiment, the parking space management system202may be part of a cloud computing environment such as the one shown inFIG. 1.

In exemplary embodiments, the parking space management system202is also configured to manage allocation and de-allocation of virtual parking spaces. The parking space management system202may include a payment system218that is configured to charge the vehicles210for the use of the virtual parking spaces. In exemplary embodiments, the parking space management system202is configured to communicate with the vehicle210via any available radio communication channel, such as GSM, CDMA etc.

In exemplary embodiments, the vehicle210includes a location system212, such as a global positioning system, a navigation system214and a parking system216. The navigation system214can be used to guide a user of the vehicle210to the allocated virtual parking space. The parking system216can be used to request a parking space allocation and to facilitate payment for use of the virtual parking spaces. In one embodiment, the navigation system214and the parking system216can be used to automatically park the vehicle210in the allocated parking space.

Referring now toFIGS. 5A and 5Ba street300having a plurality of virtual parking spaces in accordance with an exemplary embodiment are shown. As illustrated, a one way street300includes a plurality of lanes301,302,303and304. Depending on the demand for parking and on the traffic on the street, a parking space management system may selectively configure one or more lanes301and304to include virtual parking spaces305,306and307. As illustrated, the virtual parking spaces305,306and307can have different sizes. The size, location and configuration of the virtual parking spaces305,306and307in lanes301and304is determined by the parking space management system to balance the traffic flow on the street300and the demand for parking on the street300. As previously discussed, the virtual parking spaces305,306and307do not include visible indications of the locations and/or boundaries of the virtual parking spaces305,306and307. Accordingly, the size, location and configuration of the virtual parking spaces305,306and307in lanes301and304can be adjusted by the parking space management system. While the parking space management system has been described in managing on-street parking, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the parking space management system can also be used to manage an off-street parking lot as well.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a flow diagram of a method400management of virtual parking spaces in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is shown. As shown at block402, the method400includes determining a demand level for parking in geographic area. In exemplary embodiments, the demand level is determined based on one or more of real-time traffic data in the geographic area, a historical demand level for parking in the geographic area, and a forecasted demand level for parking in the geographic area. The forecasted demand level for parking in the geographic area may be based on scheduled events in the geographic area, such as festivals or sporting events. In addition, the forecasted demand level for parking in the geographic area may be.

Next, shown at block404, the method400includes identifying one or more virtual parking spaces in the geographic area that can be allocated to meet the demand level. The method400also includes receiving a parking request from a vehicle in the geographic area, as shown at block406. In exemplary embodiments, the parking request includes the characteristic of the vehicle and may include one or more preferences of a user of the vehicle. Next, shown at block408, the method400in response to receiving the parking request, allocating one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to a vehicle based on a characteristic of the vehicle. In exemplary embodiments, the characteristic of the vehicle includes one or more of a size of a vehicle and a type of a vehicle. In one embodiment, allocating the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to the vehicle is also based on a preference of a user of the vehicle.

The method400also includes transmitting identification information of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces to the vehicle, wherein the identification information includes a location and a dimension of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces, as shown at block406. In exemplary embodiments, the identification information includes data configured to provide visual guidance to a user of the vehicle to the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces. In exemplary embodiments, the method400may also include facilitating an electronic payment for use of the one of the one or more virtual parking spaces.