Computer-implemented system and method for managing interchangeable parking spaces

A computer-implemented system and method for managing interchangeable parking spaces is provided. A parking pool that includes a plurality of parking spaces, which are each interchangeably reservable by motorists, is formed. The parking spaces in the parking pool that are currently-occupied by other vehicles and any reservations by motorists to park their vehicles in the parking pool are identified. The number of the parking spaces in the parking pool free of the currently-occupied parking spaces and the parking spaces in the parking pool that will be used to fulfill the reservations, plus the time available for parking in the parking pool, are displayed.

FIELD

This application relates in general to motor vehicle parking control and management and, in particular, to a computer-implemented system and method for managing interchangeable parking spaces.

BACKGROUND

Public roads primarily facilitate traffic. Parking is offered as a secondary benefit incident to vehicle throughway. Local governments typically regulate parking on public roads, whether at curbside, in municipal lots, or on other public property, through a regulatory scheme that promotes public safety and provides revenue generation. The impact of regulated control over on-street parking affects all motorists, as well as urban residents, local businesses, commercial drivers, and other parties that use or rely upon on-street parking. Drivers who need to park their vehicle are directly impacted by regulated parking control. For example, looking for a parking space wastes time and fuel, contributes to traffic congestion, creates frustration and stress, and increases pollution, while disregarding parking regulations can result in parking tickets, fines, or towing. Still, despite these downsides, parking regulation remains a practical necessity.

Commonly, public parking is controlled through parking restrictions and prohibitions that permit parking on a first-come, first-served basis, with few exceptions, such as allowed by special permit. Parking compliance is regulated through a scheme of fees assessed for fixed intervals of time, after which a motorist is expected to either leave or, if permitted, pay for additional time. Public parking is typically purchased using parking meters assigned to individual parking spaces or through nearby curbside pay stations that collect payment and print a receipt, which must be displayed on the vehicle as proof of payment (“pay and display”); collect payment and provide the parking space number or identifier (“pay and no display”); collect payment and provide a license plate number; as well as other methods of associating proof of payment with use of a parking space, including where payment is transacted by phone or online.

Deploying parking meters at every parking space impacts the appearance and aesthetics of a street and increases maintenance and operating expenses to the local government. Where offered, public parking reservation systems forego physical parking meters and provide motorists with a centrally-operated alternative to the uncertainty of first-come, first-served on-the-street metered public parking. These types of systems allow drivers to plan ahead and reduce their stress over finding parking where and when needed. By enabling motorists to adjust their schedules to account for parking availability, drivers can plan direct and timely routes to available parking and save on time, fuel and headaches. As well, the public benefits from increased predictability and reduced traffic congestion.

Existing parking reservations systems retain the paradigm of traditional metered parking by treating parking spaces as individually-reservable resources, which can create a further set of problems. When reservations are associated with individual parking spaces, each unoccupied space has its own unique list of pending reservations. Time gaps between adjoining reservations may be too short to be usable by other motorists, thereby reducing overall parking occupancy. Moreover, when each individually-reserved parking space has a potentially different amount of time available, drivers without a parking reservation are forced to keep searching until they find an open parking space with enough unreserved time for parking. Conventional parking systems reflect this paradigm.

U.S. Pat. No. RE40,013, reissued Jan. 22, 2008, to Quinn, discloses a method and apparatus for detection and remote notification of vehicle parking space. Local detector devices sense the presence or absence of a vehicle in an individual parking space and communicate individual parking space identification and status information to a computer network. The information is integrated with electronic street maps. The street maps, annotated with the parking space status identifiers, are electronically communicated to any number of networks.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,791,501, issued Sep. 7, 2010, to Ioli, discloses a vehicle identification, tracking, and parking enforcement system. The system includes a meter system that generates image data of a vehicle in an individual parking space, public roadway, and highway entrances and exits. In operation, the system allows license tags, special parking permits, handicapped tags, or other suitable tags to be readily identified, which allows parking areas that have been reserved for handicapped or other personnel to be monitored. Unauthorized individuals that have parked in those locations can thereby be determined. An enforcement and tracking system receives the vehicle image data and generates a vehicle license number, vehicle tag identification number, and facial image. From the image date acquired, monitoring of parking spaces is performed and violation citations or notices are generated.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,768,426, issued Aug. 3, 2010, to Groft, discloses a parking system employing remote asset management techniques. A vehicle detection system and smart meter identify all information as to an individual parking space, including when a vehicle enters or leaves, how long the vehicle has been in the space, whether the parking meter associated with that space is in good operating order, whether the requested charge for parking has been paid, whether the vehicle is in compliance with regulations, whether a violation has occurred or is about to occur, and the status of usage of the collection mechanism. This information is collected, stored, and transmitted to a central command and control interface, which collates, analyses, and transmits reports to a display. All parties involved in parking, from whatever point of view, are able to monitor the status of all parking spaces in near real time and make use of the information developed on an interactive basis, thereby enabling the highest degree of efficiency in management of parking spaces through real time parking information collection.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,579,964, issued Aug. 25, 2009, to Nath et al., discloses a method for intelligent parking, pollution, and surveillance control. Parking meters sense the presence of a vehicle parked in a metered zone by emitting a narrow signal beam around an area where a vehicle can park. Two pairs of miniature surveillance cameras are included in the housing of an intelligent parking enforcement device, such as a parking meter. The presence of a vehicle parked nearby is sensed by a sensor beacon and, on the successful acknowledgement of a vehicle's presence, the system transmits a unique identifier to the parked vehicle and continuously monitors the vehicle for idling. The intelligent parking enforcement device communicates with a automobile registration control system, which is informed of impending parking violations and, when appropriate, a violation summons is issued.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,393,134, issued Jul. 1, 2008, to Mitschele, discloses a parking meter that includes a micro-controller coupled with a vehicle detector that is focused at an associated parking space. A payment acceptance mechanism is coupled with the micro-controller to receive payment for pre-paid parking. Operation of the parking meter is initiated by directing an interrogation signal at an associated parking space and the presence of a vehicle is detected. A parking violation occurs when the driver either fails to make payment within a pre-determined standby interval or when the pre-paid parking interval expires.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,237,716, issued Jul. 3, 2007, to Silberberg, discloses a parking system for sending messages. The parking system has a parking meter in close proximity to an individual parking space. The parking meter receives payment and thereafter establishes a parking period, during which a vehicle is able to legitimately park in the space. A communication means sends a message to the user's mobile phone prior to the expiry of the parking period.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,019,670, issued Mar. 28, 2006, to Bahar, discloses an enhanced meter utilizing user identification technology. A user or vehicle is identified by communication of user data into the parking meter system. If the meter expires with the vehicle remaining in the parking space, a citation is electronically processed and delivered. A vehicle presence detector utilizes infrared, ultrasonic, sonar, photoelectric, or other technology to detect the presence of a vehicle in a metered parking space. Recognition of the user or vehicle further enables the system to limit the individual's or vehicle's parking time to help regulate traffic within a municipality district, as well as prevent people from parking on a metered location for excessive periods of time.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,355, issued Mar. 21, 2006, to Potter, Sr. et al., discloses an electronic parking meter system. Electronically-operated parking meters are coupled with a sensor for positively and unobtrusively sensing the presence or absence of a vehicle in an individual parking space. An induction coil mounted below the surface of a parking area provides positive signals to the parking meter upon both the entrance and movement of a vehicle into and from the parking space. A transaction record can be stored showing exact dates and times of the arrival and departure of the vehicle. This data, when combined with other records, can provide a variety of real time management information to a parking manager, including an electronic citation issuance system.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,317, issued Nov. 23, 2004, to Ouimet et al., discloses an urban parking system. A wireless network covering a large local geographic area is linked to a large number of payment terminals, which are located near a plurality of parking spaces, either at curbside or in municipal lots. Parking data is gathered from motorists at the payment terminals, including vehicle or parking space identification data. The parking data is sent to the wireless network in response to payment. A plurality of portable terminals is provided for use by parking wardens. The wireless network is used to transmit the parking data to the portable terminals of the parking wardens upon receipt.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,493,676, issued Dec. 10, 2002, to Levy, discloses a system and method for charging for vehicle parking. A parking system includes a plurality of mobile parking units that each has a unique identification for installation in a vehicle, and a parking control center for communicating with each of the mobile parking units. Each mobile parking unit checks its location whenever the vehicle is not moving and, if the location coincides with a known parking area, a charge for parking is activated until the vehicle resumes travel.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,782, issued Jun. 8, 1999, to Schmitt et al., discloses an on-board vehicle parking space finder service. When a vehicle enters a parking space, a parking meter, equipped with an ultrasonic, sonar, or other sensor device, senses the presence of the vehicle and changes its internal state to “occupied.” When the vehicle leaves, the parking meter senses the departure and changes its internal space to “available.” As soon as the parking meter detects a change of state, a data message containing the parking meter identifier or location information and parking availability status is sent to a nearby central site. When a driver desires to locate available on-street parking, a request is sent from the on-board navigation computer to the central site. Upon receipt, the central site computer transmits a parking space availability message to the vehicle. The vehicle on-board computer displays the parking space availability to the requester.

There is a need for more efficiently offering public parking to motorists that avoids the inefficiencies of individually-metered or -reserved parking allocation and control approaches.

SUMMARY

A centralized server-based system and method for managing and reserving parking spaces treats sets of parking spaces, such as the parking spaces on one side of a city block, as a parking pool, and a motorist reserves parking by identifying a parking pool or, alternatively, a location nearby the parking pool. The constituent parking spaces within a parking pool are interchangeable for the purposes of making reservations and parking.

One embodiment provides a computer-implemented system and method for managing interchangeable parking spaces. A parking pool that includes a plurality of parking spaces, which are each interchangeably reservable by motorists, is formed. The parking spaces in the parking pool that are currently-occupied by other vehicles and any reservations by motorists to park their vehicles in the parking pool are identified. The number of the parking spaces in the parking pool free of the currently-occupied parking spaces and the parking spaces in the parking pool that will be used to fulfill the reservations, plus the time available for parking in the parking pool, are displayed.

The foregoing system and method provides several advantages over conventional approaches to parking management. First, by aggregating reservations across interchangeable parking spaces, short time gaps in parking space usage can be consolidated, which reduces fragmentation and can raise the overall level of parking space occupancy. Additionally, unoccupied parking spaces at any time are interchangeable and have the same available time, thereby eliminating the benefit of “cruising” for parking. Moreover, making parking spaces interchangeable makes the reservations system easier to use. Drivers need not specify a particular parking space when they are making reservations and they can pull into any available parking space within the parking pool when parking. Finally, interchangeable parking reservations require less equipment, as one parking meter per parking space is no longer necessary.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Parking Services Infrastructure

Motorists, urban residents, local businesses, commercial drivers, and other parties that use or rely upon on-street parking are able to reserve and use public parking through centrally-managed groups of interchangeably reservable parking spaces.FIG. 1is a diagram showing a computer-implemented system10for managing interchangeable parking spaces13a-cin accordance with one embodiment. Individual parking spaces13a-care formed into a parking pool12. The parking spaces13a-care managed as a common pool, whether the individual parking spaces13a-care physically adjacent to each other or disbursed.

A motorist can reserve space for parking a vehicle11in a parking pool12ahead of time or on-site as a form of “instant” parking reservation. The same considerations apply if a motorist already parked in one of the parking spaces13a-cwithin a parking pool12wants to extend the parking time. In a further embodiment, the parking spaces13a-care capable of charging plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles (“EVs”) and can be designated for dual use, which includes charging and parking usage by an EV or parking-only usage by any vehicle, such as described in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application, entitled, “Computer-Implemented System And Method For Managing Interchangeable EV Charging-Capable Parking Spaces,” Ser. No. 13/624,883, filed Sep. 21, 2012, pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. For simplicity, parking, whether controlled by local government or privately owned, and regardless of whether curbside, on a driveway, in cutouts in front of a driveway (“curbcuts”), within a parking lot, or in other physical locations will henceforth be called “on-street parking” or simply “parking.”

Parking within a pool12of interchangeably reservable parking spaces13a-ccan be requested ahead of time by a motorist through centralized parking services or on-site using a parking meter or appliance or, in a further embodiment, a virtual overlay communications device, such as a GPS device, a smart phone, a regular phone with an automated menu, augmented reality glasses, an audio player, or other similar devices, as further described infra. The system can be configured to allow only parking reserved in advance, or to also accommodate on-the-spot parking. When offered, conventional first-come, first-served on-street parking may be subject to applicable parking restrictions and prohibitions and local restrictions. First-come, first-served on-street parking is also limited by any pending parking reservations for the parking spaces13a-cin the parking pool12affected where the on-street parking is desired. Additionally, the applicable parking restrictions and prohibitions, local restrictions and price may automatically change, based on fixed rules by time of day, or could be revised dynamically based on parking demand or on some other metric.

Parking support equipment, as variously configured and further described infra, provide the functions needed to reserve and manage parking in parking pools12of interchangeable parking spaces13a-c. For instance, dynamically-updated signage14located adjacent or near to the parking pool12can advise motorists of on-street parking availability15and duration17, plus whether any current pending reservations16may affect the unoccupied parking spaces13b-13cin the parking pool12. The parking advisory displayed by the signage18could apply locally to just those parking spaces13a-cto which the signage is near, to one city block face, to an entire city block, or any other area of parking interest. Ideally, the signage18displays the parking advisory large enough to allow motorists to read the information necessary to making a decision on parking without getting out of their vehicles. In a further embodiment, the dynamic signage14provides multiple choices of parking availability times and, in a still further embodiment, is accompanied by a unstable state indicator, which warns motorists that parking availability is unstable and about to change, as further described infra with reference toFIG. 8. A vehicle occupancy sensor24, such as a video or still camera, collectively measures occupancy of all of the parking spaces13a-c. In a further embodiment, the parking services33can notify parking enforcement authorities when a motorist has parked in a parking space13a-cwithout a reservation, payment or other form of authorization, such as a disabled parking permit. In a still further embodiment, the parking services can physically block or permit access to the parking spaces13a-cby deploying motorized posts (bollards) (not shown) that rise or drop below street level under system control, thereby serving the dual purposes of physically blocking reserved parking spaces and visually reinforcing that parking is not presently permitted.

Motorists can interact with the centralized parking services that handle the parking spaces13a-cassigned to the parking pool12through a parking meter18, as well as a parking appliance or virtual overlay communications device, which includes the motorist contacting the parking services and the parking services contacting the motorist, either personally or through a broadcast message, as permitted by the motorist. The parking meter18includes a display19that shows the maximum amount of time for parking in the parking pool12or, in a further embodiment, preferentially-ordered parking availability, as further described infra with reference toFIG. 7, and plurality of controls20to provide a user interface, as well as facilities for receiving a credit or debit card or similar electronic media21or currency22, and a printer23to provide a receipt or proof of parking authorization. In addition, when a motorist has a virtual overlay communications device and provides contact information, the parking service33could initiate communication with a motorist to provide an update on a waitlisted parking reservation request or other type of authorized parking status. Still other devices with which to interact with the parking services are possible.

Components

Parking management and reservation services (“parking services”) are adaptable to operating on different configurations of parking support equipment, including configurations for managing multiple parking spaces (multi-metered parking), single parking spaces (single-metered parking), multiple parking spaces through a short tether arrangement (short-tethered parking), and mixed uses, such as concurrent loading zone and short-term parking, as further described infra respectively with reference toFIGS. 3-6. In a further embodiment, parking services are provided without requiring deployed parking support equipment through a virtual overlay parking reservations system, as also further described infra. Other configurations are possible.

Each configuration of parking support equipment provides the following functions:1) Indicating whether on-street parking is available (permitted) for parking and for how long.2) Indicating whether there are current pending reservations for any unoccupied parking spaces.3) Sensing and logging the occupancy state of parking spaces.4) Supporting user interactions with the parking services.
Other functions, including functions needed to provide legacy support for traditional individually-reservable parking, as well as showing current and future price for parking, are possible.

The parking services are provided through a centrally-managed hub from which a range of different types of components provide vehicle occupancy inputs and user outputs for creating parking reservations and displaying parking status.FIG. 2is a functional block diagram showing the components30of the system10ofFIG. 1. The parking services33rely upon identifying which motorists or vehicles are arriving, occupying and departing, which enables the parking services33to account for charges properly upon vehicle departure. In one embodiment, parking reservations are assigned by location and a motorist checks-in to a parking pool12of parking spaces13a-c(“pay-by-pool” or “pay-by-location”) and vehicle occupancy sensors identify when the vehicle11leaves from the parking space13a-cwithin the parking pool12. In a further embodiment, a motorist checks-in to a particular parking space13a-c(“pay-by-space”) when parking and vehicle occupancy sensors identify when the vehicle11leaves the parking space13a-c.

The parking services are provided through centrally-operated parking servers32that can be remotely accessed by users over a wide area public data communications network, such as the Internet, using wired or wireless connections. The parking services33are server-based and implemented on the parking servers32, which may be provided through cloud-based services31or by dedicated servers (not shown). Similarly, storage of parking data may also be provided through cloud-based storage34or by dedicated storage (not shown). The parking servers32communicate with governmental transportation department officials or their equivalent for setting parking policies, enforcing parking regulations, prohibitions and, if applicable, local restrictions and monitoring system performance. In addition, the parking servers32can communicate with private and commercial drivers, city residents, merchants, parking enforcement officers, and other stakeholders for the various types of parking services provided.

These users can communicate with and provide payment to the parking services33through various types of devices, depending upon the location of the user, the context of the communications and, if applicable, form of payment. To request parking reservations or interact with parking services33, users can access the parking servers32through, for instance, a personal or tablet computer39using a Web browser or similar application40, a GPS device41with a parking application, a parking application on a wireless mobile device42, such as a smart phone or similar wireless-capable and Web-enabled device, and a parking meter or appliance43located at curbside or near to the parking spaces13a-c, for instance, on a sidewalk. Payment in currency can be collected at curbside by the parking meter or appliance43and payment, including preauthorizations for parking, using an electronic form of payment, such as a credit or debit card, can be collected at curbside or remotely by the parking services33. Other types of fixed or mobile user communication devices are possible.

The parking spaces13a-cin each parking pool12are interchangeable. The parking servers32maintain lists or databases of parking data, which may be changed by the parking services33as needed. The parking data includes a list or database of the interchangeable parking spaces each of the parking pools (“Grps”)35; a set of parking time regulations (“Regs”)36that typically apply to all of the parking spaces in each parking pool; parking space occupancy data (“Occup”)37indicating which parking spaces are currently occupied by a vehicle; and a set of parking reservations (“Resys”)38for parking at future times. Other data may also be stored for use by parking services33, including a waitlist of parking reservation requests that have not yet been fulfilled or requests to extend the time on an existing parking reservation and contact information for drivers to notify them of reservation status, waitlist status, changing fee structures, or other relevant information, as appropriate to the type of parking reservation desired.

The status of parking within a parking pool12is provided through dynamic signage44that is also located at curbside or nearby. The dynamic signage44can be a single sign or separate signs associated with individual parking spaces13a-c, such as provided on a parking meter or appliance. However, in contrast to signs indicating parking space occupancy for individually-reservable parking spaces, the dynamic signage44reflects parking status for the parking pool12, and each separate sign shows the same parking pool-centric status, except in a mixed use configuration, as further described infra. Other types of dynamic signage are possible.

The parking services33tracks the occupancy state of parking spaces13a-c, both individually and as part of a parking pool12, through vehicle occupancy sensors45, such as video or still cameras, magnetic sensors, or ultrasonic sensors, located at curbside or nearby. Each sensor45determines whether one or more parking spaces13a-cis currently occupied by a vehicle11or is available for parking. One sensor45can be assigned to each parking space13a-cor a single sensor45can be deployed to monitor several parking spaces13a-c, such as the parking spaces13a-cwithin a parking pool12. Other types of sensors are possible.

Parking Support Equipment Configurations

In use, parking services installations can combine different configurations of parking support equipment for different areas in a city or urban area. For example, some city blocks may be configured with a multi-space parking appliance on each city block face, while other city blocks may include simple single-space parking appliances for managing curbcut parking or loading zones. Other city blocks may use a combination of multi- and single-space parking appliances. As well, some city blocks may have dynamic signage or multi-space parking appliances. Any block may be served by mobile applications. Different types of sensors for measuring vehicle occupancy could be used throughout. Different configurations of parking support equipment will now be discussed.

Multi-Space Parking Meter Configuration

Multiple parking spaces13a-c, typically the set of parking spaces13a-cthat make up a parking pool12, can be collectively managed through a multiple parking space (“multi-space”) meter.FIG. 3is a diagram showing, by way of example, a multi-parking space configuration50of the system10ofFIG. 1in accordance with one embodiment. The configuration50deploys a multi-space parking meter52, dynamic signage51for indicating parking availability, and a sensor53for detecting vehicle occupancy. Other components are possible.

The dynamic signage51displays information that guides drivers in deciding whether to park. Providing too much information can be confusing and, in for most cases, is unnecessary. Instead, the parking services33dynamically computes how many of the unoccupied parking spaces13a-care reserved, how many parking spaces13a-care available in the group of meters, how much time is available for parking in one of the parking spaces13a-cin the parking pool12before parking in the parking pool12becomes unavailable, and whether any of the parked vehicles11is parked illegally. The parking services33determines whether parking is available and the maximum amount of time available for parking, as further described below respectively with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9. The available parking and maximum parking time available are then indicated by the dynamic signage51.

In one embodiment, the dynamic signage51shows the number of parking spaces13a-cavailable. In a further embodiment, a simpler sign just indicates whether parking is available. In a still further embodiment, the signage can be color-coded, for instance, including red versus green indicators, signs that switch between “Parking Available” to “No Parking Available” or “Full Reserved” indicators or similar variations. Optionally, the sign may also indicate whether any of the cars are parked illegally using, for example, a red indicator, and may also indicate by position or message which of the vehicles11is parked illegally.

Single-Space Parking Meter Configuration

The parking spaces13a-cin a parking pool12can be individually managed through single parking space (“single-space”) meters.FIG. 4is a diagram showing, by way of example, a single-parking space parking meter configuration60of the system10ofFIG. 1in accordance with a further embodiment. The configuration60deploys a plurality of single-space parking meters63a-c, each of which respectively include dynamic signage61a-cfor indicating parking availability and a sensor62a-cfor detecting vehicle occupancy. Other components are possible.

In this configuration, the parking services33treats the parking spaces13a-cas interchangeable. All of the single-space parking meters63a-cat unoccupied parking spaces13a-cshow the same amount of available time. The occupancy sensors62a-cmonitor the parking spaces13a-cto which each of the single-space parking meters63a-care assigned through, for instance, magnetic puck sensors in the street or camera-based sensors. In addition, each single-space parking meter63a-chas its own power supply, such as batteries, power connections, or solar. Each single-space parking meter63a-chas wireless communications capabilities for interfacing with the parking servers32.

Short Tether Parking Configuration

Managers of some installations may prefer that only a few parking spaces be reservable. The parking spaces13a-cin a parking pool12can also be collectively managed through a combination of single parking space appliances, which are tethered to a single multi-space parking meter. Tethered parking appliances offer a clear and direct alternative to overhead signs to mark which parking spaces13a-care presently reservable.FIG. 5is a diagram showing, by way of example, a short tethered meter configuration70of the system10ofFIG. 1in accordance with a further embodiment. The configuration60deploys a multi-space parking meter74to which is tethered a plurality of parking appliances73a-d, each of which respectively include dynamic signage71a-dfor indicating parking availability and a sensor72a-dfor detecting vehicle occupancy. Other components are possible.

In this configuration, power and communications with the parking servers32can be provided for all of the parking appliances73a-dby short wiring, possibly buried, to the multi-space parking meter74to simplify the hardware required for each parking space13a-c. The adjacent parking appliances73a-dare single-space parking meters, such as described supra with reference toFIG. 4, with their own signage71a-dfor indicating parking availability and occupancy sensors73a-dto monitor their corresponding parking spaces. In a further embodiment, the parking appliances73a-dmay only provide vehicle occupancy sensors and near-field or other simple provisions for driver check-in. The parking appliances73a-dare controlled by the parking servers32and are interchangeable for parking and reservations. The parking appliances73a-dfor all of the unoccupied parking spaces display the same amount of available time for parking.

Configurations for Mixed Use Parking

Some neighborhoods need to support mixed uses of parking spaces13a-c, that is, situations where the permitted uses vary according to the time and day. For example, double-parked delivery trucks are unfortunately a common sight in many commercial districts and a cause of frustration and congestion. Delivery vehicles would be less likely to double park if they could find adequate parking for making deliveries through improved loading zone management.FIG. 6is a diagram showing, by way of example, a mixed use configuration80of the system10ofFIG. 1in accordance with a further embodiment. The configuration60deploys a combination of a multi-space parking meter82and a single-space parking meter85. Both the multi-space parking meter82and a single-space parking meter85respectively include dynamic signage81,84for indicating parking availability and sensors83,86for detecting vehicle occupancy. The multi-space parking meter82is used to manage a parking pool12that includes a plurality of interchangeable parking spaces13a-c. The single-space parking meter85is used to manage one of the parking spaces13a-cduring set days and times during which that parking space does not participate as part of the parking pool12and is instead used as an individually reservable or usable parking space. Outside of the set days and times, the single-space parking meter85either mirrors the group parking operations and parking indicators of the multi-space parking meter82, or is inactive. Other components are possible.

Commercial districts frequently provide mixed uses of parking spaces13a-c. Some cities regulate loading zones by limiting the hours during which deliveries can be made, while other cities allocate a few parking spaces13a-cas loading zones, sometimes using marked curbs and signs to designate their special status. When the regulations for using a parking space13a-cbecome too complex, with restrictions about particular days and holidays and specific hours in addition to requirements for permits and other limitations, drivers may fail to understand the rules that apply in the moment. Furthermore, fixed parking signs do not provide flexibility to change usage rules dynamically according to varying demand during a day. An example parking scenario can help illustrate.

Loading Zone Mixed Use Parking Scenario.A commercial district in Mountain City has several blocks that cater to tourists, as well as providing high-end retail and restaurants for city residents. The parking authorities have decided to encourage businesses to complete most deliveries during early morning hours. In the past, the parking authorities allocated one parking space on every block for use a loading zones. This approach suffered several problems. First, delivery trucks often arrived in bunches, so that there were not enough loading zones when they were needed. Also, during the day, the loading zones were limited to a maximum of 20 minutes of parking, making those parking spaces of little use to tourists and other motorists.Mountain City decided to offer parking reservations using an interchangeable parking space approach, which included providing steps for managing loading zones. Demand modeling suggested that having two or three loading zones available on each block would cover most situations. The parking authorities decided to have single-space parking meters at each of the loading zones to enable delivery vehicles to check-in quickly, such as by using near-field devices, and to have extended loading times, depending upon the type of permit used by the loading zone driver. During the busy parts of the day, the parking servers32switched the parking spaces assigned to the loading zones back to general parking by adding them to the group of meters on the city block face. On a few blocks, the local merchants still needed parking for a limited amount of pick up and delivery, even during the busy hours. For these blocks, the city designed specialized rules for parking. Single-space parking meters were used for a parking space in the middle of the city block. If the parking space was unoccupied and not reserved, members of the general public could park for up to five minutes to load or unload. In addition, delivery companies could purchase “delivery permits,” which enabled them to reserve the delivery parking spaces for up to 30 minutes, with an escalating rate during the busy times of the day. In addition, two more parking spaces on the block were held back from reservations, except for people with delivery permits. Thus, those delivery companies that could plan their parking needs ahead of time also enjoyed improved access to parking on the street. Moreover, the public benefited from improved traffic flow due to the reduced amount of double parking that had plagued the area in the past.

Other kinds of mixed use parking are possible. For instance, some parking spaces may be made unavailable for parking and used as a traffic lane during commute periods. Parking spaces may be shifted to short term parking for valet or other services during some periods. Some parking spaces may be reserved for special merchant promotions during certain periods.

The methods of determining the number of parking spaces available for reservations or open parking and reserving parking spaces are modified in mixed use parking, such as described in commonly-assigned U.S. patent application, entitled, “Computer-Implemented System And Method For Providing Just-In-Time Loading Zone Parking,” Ser. No. 13/624,873, filed Sep. 21, 2012, pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. By way of overview, parking spaces may be dedicated to a permitted loading zone or other special use during particular hours on particular days. The dedicated use may also happen in response to demand, such as a priority reservation for a loading zone by a permitted delivery company. When a parking space is dedicated to a different use, the parking space needs to be removed for the duration of the mixed use interval from the parking pool of interchangeable spaces managed by the parking servers32. The number of parking spaces in a parking pool is no longer constant and is instead handled as a function of time. When a parking space is dedicated to mixed use as, for instance, a loading zone, that parking space must be removed from any parking pool of interchangeable parking spaces. If the single-space parking meter85assigned to that parking space reverts back to use for general public parking, the parking space can be added back into a parking pool and the parking servers32control the operations and dynamic signage84on the single-space parking meter85to reflect the group membership. For example, if the parking space is unoccupied and open parking is permitted, then the dynamic signage84would show the same amount of time available as the overhead dynamic signage81displayed with the multi-space parking meter82. To accommodate this flexibility, the parking services33tracks the number of parking spaces in each parking pool using a database or other set of records. At any point in time, the parking services33consults the database or records to determine the number of parking spaces assigned to the parking pool during a particular time interval.

Virtual Overlay Parking Reservations

In a further embodiment, the parking support equipment and hardware that is ordinarily installed on a city block is supplemented or replaced by a virtual overlay parking reservations system. Drivers use communications and location-sensing equipment to receive and interact with information about parking and parking reservations. Drivers can access parking information through a virtual overlay communications device, such as a GPS device41, a smart phone42, augmented reality glasses, an audio player, or other similar devices.

The virtual overlay parking reservations system maintains a model of parking spaces, reservations, usage information, parking restrictions, regulations, and other information for each city block. The model includes information about where the parking spaces are located, when street sweeping is scheduled, what cars are already parked, and what reservations are pending. Each driver's device sends its location to the parking servers32, such as through a mobile cell or other wireless network and the parking servers32send back parking information relevant to nearby locations for the overlay device to present to the driver.

Here, essentially no parking support equipment or hardware is required on the city block. Drivers perceive parking information through their virtual overlay devices. However, parking information remains invisible to members of the public, unless they are using a virtual overlay device.

Preferential Ordering Configuration

Parking meter configurations that assign a single parking meter or appliance to each parking space, such as in the single-parking space parking meter configuration60and the short tethered meter configuration70, as respectively described supra with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5, hold the potential of creating a race condition between motorists vying to park in one of the parking spaces13a-cwithin the same parking pool12at the same time. Ordinarily, all of the single-space parking meters63a-cor appliances73a-cwill show the same amount of maximum available, time for the parking pool12, yet only the first motorist to actually park will actually obtain the maximum available time. The second motorist may get less parking time due to pending reservations16for parking in the parking pool12of which the second motorist is unaware. For example, in a parking pool12where there are two available parking spaces13a-cand the available time is four hours followed by 15 minutes, the first motorist would get the full four hours of parking, while the second motorist would only get 15 minutes of parking, despite having parked at effectively the same time.

As the state of each parking space13a-cwithin a parking pool12is centrally managed by the parking services33, the displayed state of each parking space13a-ccan be assigned to reduce the frequency of situations that could mislead motorists into believing that more parking time is available within a parking pool12than is actually allocable.FIG. 7is a diagram showing, by way of example, a preferential ordering configuration90of the system120ofFIG. 1in accordance with a further embodiment. A set of single-space parking meters91a-care assigned to each parking space13a-cin a parking pool12. Each parking meter91a-calso displays the state92,93,94of the parking space13a-cto which the parking meter91a-cis assigned. The states92,93,94are preferentially ordered to display parking availability from greatest availability92to least availability93in the direction of traffic95, with occupied parking spaces13abeing shown as in use or unavailable94. In a further embodiment, preferential ordering is only used when less than all of the parking spaces13a-cin a parking pool12have limited availability, as the maximum parking time available would be correct if all of the parking spaces13a-cwere subject to limited availability.

From a driver's perspective, a driver will get the most parking time by taking the first open parking space13cencountered, assuming that any parking spaces13a-care available at all. This approach helps limit traffic congestion by encouraging motorists to take the first parking space13cthat they see, instead of cruising while trying to figure out which parking space13a-chas the most time available. Preferential ordering of partially interchangeable parking spaces preserves most of the benefits of fully interchangeable parking spaces, as described supra, while reducing the frequency of race conditions due to misapprehensions on the part of motorists who incorrectly assume that the maximum parking time available, as displayed on each parking meter or appliance, applies to all of the parking spaces13a-cin a parking pool12. Preferential ordering assumes that most motorists will (or should) take the first available parking space13c, even though most of the parking within the parking pool12remains interchangeable. Moreover, on average, preferential ordering ensures greater parking availability than conventional use of non-interchangeable parking spaces.

Multiple Choice Configuration

Preferential ordering is most effective in parking meter configurations that assign a single parking meter or appliance to each parking space, when compared to parking configurations that rely on dynamic signage51, such as the multi-parking space configuration50, as described supra with reference toFIG. 3. Dynamic signage51helps inform motorists of parking availability within a parking pool12, yet showing only the maximum availability parking time can be misleading, while showing preferentially ordered parking availability is impracticable due to the physically disparate location of an overhead sign vis-à-vis the individual parking spaces13a-cwithin the parking pool12.

One solution is to simply better inform motorists by showing more parking data on dynamic signage51.FIG. 8is a diagram showing, by way of example, multiple choice and unstable state indication configurations100of the system120ofFIG. 1in accordance with further embodiments. In one embodiment, multiple choices of parking availability102are displayed on dynamic signage101accompanying a parking pool12of individual parking spaces13a-c. For instance, the dynamic signage101can show the top two amounts of parking time available. The dynamic signage101can also show the state of unavailable parking within the parking pool12. For instance, assume that the dynamic signage101shows that only one of the parking spaces within a parking pool12can be used for two hours, while the remaining three parking spaces are limited to 30 minutes of parking. Thus, motorists looking for parking will see that there is only one parking space available for two hours and not be misled into believing that all of the parking spaces within a parking pool12are available for the full two hours.

Unstable State Indication Configuration

The multiple choice configuration helps to better inform motorists of the overall parking availability within a parking pool12, but dynamic signage101becomes cluttered by the additional multi-choice data and may be difficult to read and understand quickly, especially by a harried (or out-of-town) drivers. Motorists do not necessarily need to know the precise amount of time available to park that is secondary to the maximum available parking time. Rather, they could benefit by merely knowing that the maximum available parking time is about to change, that is, that parking availability is unstable and about to change.

In a further embodiment, the parking services33implements an “unstable state” detector for each parking pool12. An unstable state can occur, for instance, whenever a car parks in a parking space13awithin a parking pool12, which can affect the amount of time available for parking in the remaining parking space13b-c, or whenever the maximum parking time available is significantly more than the next best option, say, 15 minutes or 10% more than the next available time period, whichever is less).

The unstable state is then indicated to motorists using an unstable state indicator104, which can be provided in a form factor analogous to a traffic signal, where a set of lights105indicate parking available (“Green”), limited parking (“Yellow”), and no parking (“Red). Here, a Green light106indicates a stable condition. A Yellow light107signals a transition from the Green light to the Red light and serves as a warning that parking within the parking pool12is unstable. Alternatively, a flashing light, either provided as a single beacon or within a traffic signal arrangement, can indicate the unstable condition.

In a still further embodiment, the dynamic signage101is combined with an unstable state indicator104. The overhead sign shows, for instance, the top two available parking times and the number of parking spaces13b-cavailable. In addition, unstable state indicators are provided as part of the overhead sign, such as by providing unstable state indicators next to the multiple choices of parking availability102displays, which blink or provide some type of instability indication when a motorist parks in the parking pool12or other destabilizing condition occurs. Still other forms of race condition resolution are possible.

In a still further embodiment, the parking services33could place a limit on the total number of reservations that one driver can make in a given period of time to prevent abuse of the reservations system and preclude illicit financial gain by booking more time than needed, with exceptions to the limit granted to delivery drivers or other motorists who have a bona fide need to park frequently. This limit can be enforced using the driver's name, credit card, vehicle identifying information, such as license plate, or other identifying information. Still other abuse prevention mechanisms are possible.

Parking Services Methodology

Parking management revolves around the scheduling and granting of parking reservations and open utilization of unoccupied parking spaces by motorists on the street and other stakeholders.FIG. 9is a flow diagram showing a computer-implemented method120for managing interchangeable parking spaces13a-cin accordance with one embodiment. The method120is performed as a series of process steps by the parking servers32(shown inFIG. 2) or other computing device in collaboration with user devices, plus deployed dynamic signage and vehicle occupancy sensors.

Parking is managed by handling three concurrent sets of processes (steps121-125) as follows. In one set of processes, parking reservation requests are received and booked (step122), as further described below with reference toFIG. 10. Other types of parking reservation requests may also be concurrently processed. In a second set of processes, parking reservation check-ins and confirmations are handled (step123), as further described below with reference toFIG. 14. Finally, in a third set of processes, changes to booked parking reservations are processed (step124). Scheduling changes to booked parking reservations are only permitted under the same criteria applied when originally granted. Specifically, a parking reservation may be changed if the parking spaces13b-cat the new start time are physically available based on both any unfulfilled pending parking reservations, that is, parking reservations that have not yet started, and any parking spaces in the desired parking pool that are currently occupied by another vehicle, as well as being permitted by any applicable parking regulations and prohibitions and local restrictions. Scheduling changes can include requesting additional or less parking time, rescheduling or postponing a booked parking reservation, and canceling a booked reservation. In addition, the requestors of any waitlisted parking reservation requests that have not yet been fulfilled or extended are notified if a change or cancelation of a booked reservation makes granting of the waitlisted parking reservation request possible, assuming that the requestor has not preauthorized acceptance and payment. Other types of changes to booked parking reservations are possible. Other sets of concurrent processes are possible. The first two sets of processes will now be discussed in detail.

Processing Dual Use Reservations

Reservation requests for parking are received and booked.FIG. 10is a flow diagram showing a routine130for processing reservation requests for use in the 130 method ofFIG. 3. The method is carried out as a single transaction on unchanging data. Motorists can avoid the inefficiencies of individually-metered or -reserved parking allocation and control by reserving parking ahead of time. Two example parking scenarios can help illustrate.

First Parking Scenario: Alice Reserves Parking.Alice notices that she has a doctor's appointment in midtown on Tuesday at 10:00 AM, where parking is always difficult on weekdays. She wants a parking space near her physician on 18thAvenue and Broadway. Alice anticipates staying for lunch and perhaps doing some shopping.Alice uses a reserved parking smart phone app to make a parking reservation. She indicates that she needs a reservation on Tuesday at 10:00 AM for two hours. She enters the address of her doctor's office. The app reports back that no parking reservations are available on that city block at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, but offers alternative parking choices of two other city block faces. A parking pool of parking spaces two blocks away from her doctor's office are available for a $2.00 reservation fee and $2.00 per hour for parking. These parking spaces have a two-hour maximum parking limit, so she would have no option to stay longer. Another parking pool of parking spaces, a bit farther away from her doctor's office, near Baker Street and 17thAvenue is only $1.00 per hour for parking. These parking spaces have a four-hour maximum parking limit, so Alice could extend her time if needed. Alice reserves parking space on Baker Street and 17thAvenue for three hours.On Tuesday morning, Alice heads to her doctor's appointment. Her GPS unit directs her to Baker Street and 17thAvenue. Dynamic overhead signage on the city block face indicates that there are two pending parking reservations and that three parking spaces are available now for two hours. Alice pulls into one of the unoccupied parking spaces. Using her smart phone, she checks into her reservation on the parking servers. Her smart phone confirms her arrival and the overhead signage changes to show that there is now only one pending parking reservation.

First Parking Scenario: Bob Parks.Shortly after Alice parks her vehicle, Bob also arrives at Baker Street and 17thAvenue. The overhead signage shows one pending parking reservation and three parking spaces available now for up to two hours. Bob does not have a parking reservation. He knows that there is generally a four-hour maximum parking limit on this city block. Bob would like to stay for three hours. However, due to the pending reservations, the overhead signage shows that only two hours of parking are available.Bob parks. Using his smart phone, he checks in and pays for two hours of parking. He indicates that he would like to stay for three hours, if possible, requests a parking alert from the parking services, and authorizes an automatic payment to extend his parking time for up to three hours if parking becomes available. The overhead signage changes to show that there are two parking spaces available for one hour, due to other pending reservations.Alice finishes her doctor's appointment early at 11:15 AM. She reconsiders appointments elsewhere in town and decides to leave midtown now. She leaves her parking space and a vehicle occupancy sensor detects that her vehicle has left. The parking services log her departure and checks whether there are any outstanding requests for parking. The parking services notices that Bob has requested more parking time. The parking services re-runs the set of parking requests and finds Bob's request can be accommodated. The parking services extend Bob's parking contract to three hours, now ending at 1:00 PM and sends a message to Bob. The parking services directs the overhead signage to reflect the current set of pending reservations and time available.
These parking scenarios illustrate several benefits that would not be possible if each parking space was reserved separately. For example, in making her reservation, Alice did not have to specify a particular parking space, which simplified her interaction with the parking services. Also, when Bob parked, he could tell quickly from the dynamic overhead signage whether there was parking available and how long he could park. He did not have to check each parking meter separately. Finally, when Alice left, additional parking time became available to Bob. If the parking spaces in the parking pool were not interchangeable, more parking time would have become available to Bob only if another motorist canceled a parking reservation for the particular parking space where Bob had parked.

Referring back toFIG. 10, the method is carried out as a single transaction on unchanging data. The parking services33first receives a request from a motorist for a parking reservation (step131), which includes the location of a parking pool13and a requested start time and duration or, alternatively, a start time and an end time. The number of available parking spaces13b-cin the parking pool12for the requested start time is determined (step132), as further described infra with reference toFIG. 11. If no parking spaces13b-care available (step133), the reservation request fails and the motorist is notified of the parking service's inability to grant the request (step138). In a further embodiment, the parking services33optionally identifies alternative parking options within the general area of the parking pool12(step139), as further described infra with reference toFIG. 13. If denied a parking reservation, the motorist could request to be added to the waitlist.

If parking spaces13b-care available (step133), the time available for parking in the parking pool12is determined (step134), as further described infra with reference toFIG. 12. If an insufficient amount of time is available to satisfy the reservation request (step135), the reservation request is denied and the motorist is notified of the parking service's inability to grant the request (step138) and, in a further embodiment, the parking services33optionally identifies and offers alternative parking options (step139), as further described infra with reference toFIG. 13. If denied a parking reservation, the motorist could request to be added to the waitlist. Otherwise, where parking is available for a sufficient amount of time, the parking services33creates a reservation record (step136) for the requested time and duration, which is added to the reservations list38(shown inFIG. 2) and the motorist is notified (step137).

The managing of parking spaces13a-cas a parking pool12of interchangeably reservable resources provides several benefits. First, preemption of parking by other motorists is avoided. Once a motorist makes a reservation in a parking pool12of equivalent parking spaces13a-c, further reservations that would preclude the motorist from parking in the parking pool12at the reserved time will not be allocated by the parking services33. Thus, absent interference from parking scofflaws or other unforeseen circumstances, parking is guaranteed. In addition, once a motorist has accepted a reservation and has parked his vehicle11in the parking pool12, the motorist is not required to move the vehicle11for the duration of the reservation. If a motorist wants extend the duration of a parking session, the parking services33can offer more parking time if reservation cancellations or early departures from any of the parking spaces13a-cin the parking pool12make more parking time available, which the system can process automatically if the motorist preauthorizes a parking time extension and payment of fees. Similarly, if a vehicle occupancy sensor45detects that a vehicle11has left a parking space13abefore the end of the paid or reserved period, the parking space13ais made available to other motorists.

Determining Available Parking Spaces

The number of parking spaces13b-cthat are physically available at a particular point in time depends upon both any unfulfilled pending parking reservations and any parking spaces13cin the desired parking pool12that are currently occupied by another vehicle11, as well as any applicable parking regulations and prohibitions36and local restrictions.FIG. 11is a flow diagram showing a routine150for determining a number of available parking spaces for use in the routine130ofFIG. 10. The routine is carried out as a single transaction on unchanging data. To determine the number of available parking spaces13a-c, the parking services33first retrieves the parking regulations36applicable to the parking spaces13a-cin the desired parking pool12, the set of parking reservations38for the parking pool12that overlap the requested reservation in which the reserving motorist's vehicle has not yet arrived, the parking contracts37for the currently-occupied parking spaces13b-cin the parking pool12, and the total number35of parking spaces13a-cin the parking pool12(step151). If the requested start time is at a time when parking is not allowed (step152), no parking is available in the parking pool12.

Otherwise, the time intervals for all of the unfulfilled parking reservations38where the end time of the reservation is after the requested start time are collected (step153). Similarly, the time intervals for all of the parking contracts37for currently-occupied parking spaces13awhere the end time is after the requested start time are collected (step154). The end points from the two lists of time intervals are joined and sorted in ascending order by time (step155). The number of parking spaces used is set to zero, and the time points in each time interval in the joined and ordered lists is processed (steps156-161), as follows. First, if the time point is the start time of the current time interval and the time point occurs before the requested start time (step157), the number of parking spaces used is incremented (step158). If the time point is the end time of the current time interval and the time point occurs before the requested start time (step159), the number of parking spaces used is decremented (step160). Processing continues with each of the remaining time points (step161). Thereafter (step161), the number of available parking spaces13b-cis set to the total number of parking spaces13a-cin the parking pool12less the number of parking spaces used (step162).

In further embodiments, the number of available parking spaces is determined based upon optimistic or pessimistic parking resource utilization forecasts. For example, optimistic forecasts include predicting that some vehicles11will leave before the end of their reserved parking period and make currently-occupied parking spaces13apotentially free prior to the start time of a requested parking reservation. Optimistic forecasts also include predicting that some motorists will not show up for their parking reservations and potentially leave their parking reservations unused. On the other hand, pessimistic forecasts include predicting that some that motorists will disregard parking regulations and existing reservations and potentially park in the parking spaces13a-cin a parking pool12without authorization, that is, without paying or first reserving parking. Other optimistic or pessimistic parking resource utilization forecasts are possible.

In still further embodiments, the duration of vehicle occupancy of currently-occupied parking spaces13acan be adjusted based upon payment status. Specifically, if a parking space13ais occupied, the parking space13acan be considered unavailable for some amount of time, depending upon the circumstances. For example, if the use of the parking space13ais paid, the parking space13acould be held from parking reservations until the paid time expires. However, if the parking space13ais unpaid, but the vehicle11recently arrived, for instance, within the last couple of minutes, the parking space13acould be locked temporarily from parking reservations for the maximum amount of time that may be purchased. This time buffer would provide motorists with time to complete check-in without having their expected parking time pre-empted by an intervening parking reservation request. Finally, if the parking space13ais unpaid and in violation, the parking space13ashould be considered locked for some configurable amount of time under a reasonable probability that the vehicle11would be moved or towed. Other adjustments to vehicle occupancy duration are possible.

In a yet further embodiment, parking reservations for an indefinite duration are handled in one of two possible ways. First, open-ended parking reservations, that is, a request for parking with a maximum permissible or even undefined ending time, if not otherwise precluded, can be discouraged by disallowing parking reservation requests that extend too far into the future. This option also accommodates the possibility of changing parking policies over extended periods without the risk of upsetting existing, albeit indefinite, parking reservations. Alternatively, open-ended parking reservations can be accommodated by simply decreasing the number of the parking spaces13a-cin the parking pool12until the vehicle11departs from one of the parking spaces13a. Other ways to handle indefinite open-ended parking reservations are possible.

In a still further embodiment, “minimal spacing intervals” are introduced that enable the public to park conveniently and avoid some confrontation, given a certain degree of uncertainty and delay in human activities. The sizes of the various intervals are set as policy parameters by the parking authorities and would typically be in the range of five to fifteen minutes. The intervals include:

Minimal Gap—Pre-Reservation Interval.This interval is a minimum gap of time before a pending parking reservation during which another motorist is allowed to park. This interval allows for some uncertainty in case a motorist arrives a few minutes early for a reservation.

Minimal Forward Interval.This interval is a minimum gap of time into the future at which a reservation can be made. The minimum forward interval reduces the importance of a race condition between a motorist pulling into an available parking space13b-cand an online user making a competing parking reservation. By precluding the making of remote reservations that begin immediately, the parking services33favor a motorist pulling into a parking space and requesting parking using a parking meter or appliance.

Minimum Afterwards Interval.This interval is a gap of time after a parking reservation or the end of a parking contract before which another parking reservation can be made. The minimum afterwards interval anticipates that motorists sometimes return late to a parking space and reduces conflicts that may arise when a motorist is late in returning to move a vehicle11at the end of a parking session. In a yet further embodiment, the parking authorities may cite motorists for departing late from their parking space.

Pre-Reservation Grace Period.This interval is a grace period provided when a motorist arrives early to a previously-reserved parking space. Parking policies may dictate whether an early-arriving motorist must then give up some time at the end of the reservation period.

Late Arrival Grace Period.This interval is a gap of time during which a motorist can be late in arriving to park before a parking reservation is cancelled by the parking services33. The treatment of late arrivals to reserved parking spaces can be governed by further parking policies. For example, a motorist may be contacted when the grace period is almost over and given an opportunity to extend. Alternatively, the motorist may purchase a “hold guarantee” that holds the parking reservation for an extended period, such as 15 minutes and the motorist would get a partial refund for cancelling the held parking reservation.
Other minimal spacing intervals are possible.

Determining Available Parking Time

The time available for parking in a parking pool12at a particular point in time depends upon both any unfulfilled pending parking reservations and any parking spaces13ain the desired parking pool12that are currently occupied by another vehicle11.FIG. 12is a flow diagram showing a routine170for determining parking time available for use in the routine130ofFIG. 10. This routine determines the amount of time available for parking in a parking pool12at a requested time. Two example parking scenarios can help illustrate. The first parking scenario represents a simple case, where unfulfilled parking reservations monotonically increase the demand for parking spaces. The second scenario introduces a somewhat more complex case, where a longer available time for parking is possible because of the expected arrival and departure of cars.

First Parking Scenario.Charlie wants to reserve a parking space in a parking pool managed by two parking meters at 8:00 AM on Wednesday. Suppose, given the applicable parking regulations, current vehicle occupancy, and unfulfilled parking reservations, that two of the parking spaces are expected to be available at that time. Suppose further that there are three upcoming parking reservations for 2.5 hours each in the time period after 8:00 AM on Wednesday, starting at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 11:30 AM. How long of a parking period could be offered to Charlie? The 9:00 AM unfulfilled parking reservation can be satisfied using one of the unoccupied parking spaces. Charlie can park in the other parking space until that parking space is required by another parking reservation at 10:00 AM. If Daryl tries to make a parking reservation after Charlie, he will be offered only one hour of time since that parking space will be needed to satisfy the 9:00 AM reservation.

Second Parking Scenario.This scenario shows that the process of determining how long Charlie can park is properly iterative and depends upon a detailed accounting of the projected arrivals and departures of other motorists. As before, Charlie wants to reserve a parking space in a parking pool managed by two parking meters at 8:00 AM on Wednesday. Again, suppose, given the applicable parking regulations, current vehicle occupancy, and unfulfilled parking reservations, that two of the parking spaces are expected to be available at that time. There are four unfulfilled reservations spaced out in time, beginning with Alice from 9:00 AM to 9:30 AM, Bob from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Eddie from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM, and Daryl from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM. Conservatively, Charlie can park until at least 9:00 AM since there is another unoccupied parking space to satisfy Alice's pending 9:00 AM parking reservation. However, Charlie could actually stay longer. In the previous parking scenario, Charlie had to leave by 10:00 AM to accommodate Bob's 10:00 AM parking reservation. In this parking scenario, since Alice's 9:00 AM parking reservation ends at 9:30 AM, her parking space will become available to satisfy Bob's 10:00 AM reservation, which means that Charlie could be offered the use of a parking space until 11:30 AM.

Referring back toFIG. 12, the routine is carried out as a single transaction on unchanging data. To determine the time available for parking, the parking services33first determines the number of available parking spaces13b-cin the parking pool12for the requested start time (step171), as further described supra with reference toFIG. 11. If no parking spaces13b-care available (step172), the reservation request fails. Otherwise, if parking spaces13b-care available (step172), based upon the applicable parking regulations, the latest end time for parking is determined (step173) as the requested start time, plus the maximum permitted parking time as of the requested start time.

Next, the time intervals for all of the unfulfilled parking reservations that are in effect between the requested start time and the latest end time are collected (step174). Similarly, the time intervals for all of the parking contracts for currently-occupied parking spaces13awhere the end time is after the requested start time are collected (step175). The end points from the two lists of time intervals are joined and sorted in ascending order by time (step176). The maximum end time is set to zero, and the time points in each time interval in the joined and ordered lists are processed (steps177-184), as follows. First, the latest end time for parking based on the current time interval is determined (step178). If the time point is the end time of the current time interval (step179), the number of available parking spaces13b-cin the parking pool12is incremented (step180). If the time point is the start time of the current time interval (step181), the number of available parking spaces113b-cin the parking pool12is decremented and the maximum end time is set to the start time of the current time interval (step182). If the number of available parking spaces113b-cin the parking pool12is greater than zero (step183), processing continues with the next time point (step184). Otherwise, the maximum available time has been found and processing of the time points is complete (step184).

Identifying Alternative Parking Options

Parking may not always be available either where desired or for the amount of time needed. Interchangeably reservable parking spaces enable a wider range of alternative parking options to be offered to a motorist who has been unable to initially secure a parking reservation.FIG. 13is a flow diagram showing a routine for offering parking space alternatives190for use in the routine130ofFIG. 10in accordance with a further embodiment. The routine identifies a parking pool12within a set distance to a requested location with at least a specified amount of time available at a given time.

The routine is carried out as a single transaction on unchanging data. First, all parking pools12within a set distance of the location requested by the user are collected (step191). The distance of each parking pool12to the requested location is stored for each parking pool for easy look up. Each parking pool12is processed (steps192-196), as follows. First, the time available for parking in the current parking pool12is determined (step193), as further described supra with reference toFIG. 12. If an insufficient amount of time is available to satisfy the reservation request (step196), the current parking pool12is discarded (step195) from further consideration as an alternative parking option. Processing continues with each of the remaining parking pools12(step196).

The remaining parking pools12with sufficient amounts of time to satisfy the reservation request are sorted in ascending order of distance to the requested location (step197) and presented to the user (step198) together with pricing and other information.

The simplest use case assumes that only one motorist with only one vehicle needs to see whether parking is available in a parking pool12of interchangeable parking spaces13a-cand find out the maximum available time for parking at some time in the future. The motorist finds out this information by sending a parking reservation request to the parking services13. Contrarily, when a motorist pulls up to a parking pool12seeking unreserved parking, that motorist also wants a parking “reservation,” albeit upon demand, and needs to know how long he can park in that parking pool12, provided that at least one of the parking spaces13a-cin the parking pool12is available right now. The parking services33provides his answer through the dynamic signage14accompanying the parking pool12.

Occasionally, two drivers, both without parking reservations, will pull up to different parking spaces13a-cin a parking pool12on a same city block at about the same time. (In practice, there will be differences in time when the vehicle occupancy sensors24detect the arrival of the two drivers' vehicles11and their check-in, so truly simultaneous parking reservations would not ordinarily occur.) Parking reservations for the parking pool12are pending, but as-yet unfulfilled. The nearby dynamic signage14would show how many parking spaces are available and how much time is available. However, two issues can potentially arise:First, the set of pending parking reservations can start at different times. For example, there may be two open parking spaces13b-cwith two pending unfulfilled parking reservations. One parking reservation may start in one hour and the other parking reservation in two hours. The dynamic signage14would show that there are two available parking spaces13b-cand a maximum parking time of two hours. If the first motorist requests two hours of parking, the dynamic signage14will then show that there is now only one parking space available13bfor only one hour and the second motorist to arrive or check-in will not be offered the two hours of parking that they initially expected.In another case, multiple parking spaces13a-care unoccupied, but only one parking space13bis available, due to pending unfulfilled parking reservations. Vehicle occupancy sensors24will detect the two vehicles pulling into the parking pool12. Typically, one vehicle11will be sensed and recorded as having parked first. The parking services33will then update the dynamic signage14to say that no parking spaces13a-care available. The second motorist will then not be allowed to check-in and may be offered a parking reservation nearby.
Various measures can be taken to address the inherent race conditions in such situations of near-simultaneous vehicle arrival and check-in. Simple signs that indicate whether parking is available and for how long are easier and faster to understand, whilst more nuanced and complex messages about multiple pending reservations are more informative, but less comprehensible.

In a further embodiment, the dynamic signage14is implanted using an indicator to suggest to motorists that parking availability can change at any time. For example, a Red-Yellow-Green indicator can be incorporated into the dynamic signage14in a manner analogous to a traffic light, where a red beacon means no parking; a yellow beacon means limited parking; and a green beacon means parking is allowed. The parking services33could use a yellow indicator to signal cases, where available parking time is short or that there is only one parking space available. Although this approach reminds drivers that parking availability is changeable and perhaps likely to change at any moment, race conditions may still occur in practice.

Reservation Check-Ins and Confirmations

Parking reservation check-ins and confirmations are handled concurrent to the receipt and booking of parking reservations and the making of parking reservation changes and cancelations.FIG. 14is a flow diagram showing a routine200for processing reservation check-ins for use in the method120ofFIG. 9. A check-in request is first received from a motorist (step201) using a device, as described supra. The motorist's parking reservation39is retrieved (step202). If the motorist is on-time (step203), the reservation and paid status are confirmed, the parking space13a-cis removed from the pool of available parking, and the parking availability indicator is updated to indicate that the parking space is in use (step207).

Otherwise, if the motorist is either early or late, the parking services33evaluates whether parking can be accommodated (step204) based on inter alia applicable parking regulations35and any local restrictions, other pending reservations35and, if pooled parking, current occupancy36. If early or late parking can be accommodated (step204), the motorist's parking reservation is adjusted (step206) and reservation confirmation proceeds (step207). Otherwise, when accommodation is not possible (step204), check-in is declined and the motorist is notified (step205).

The motorist parks and, at some point, leaves. If the motorist is departing early (step208), the parking space13a-cis returned to the pool of available parking, thereby making the parking space13a-cavailable for use by other motorists early, and the parking availability indicator is updated to indicate that the parking space is available (step209). If the motorist is departing late (and has not been notified or otherwise dealt with) (step210), a penalty for overstaying the parking reservation may be assessed (step211), among other negative dispositions. Finally, whether the motorist is departing on-time or late, the parking space13a-cis returned to the pool of available parking and the parking availability indicator is updated to indicate that the parking space is available (step212).