Vehicles circulating in the city centre in search of a free parking space is a growing problem. A cloud service that tracks the traffic situation and the availability of free parking spaces could reduce both traffic and congestion.
In a new study by VTI and the University of Skövde and other partners, researchers have examined how a cloud-based parking service known as SmartPark could reduce the problem of vehicles looking for free parking spaces. By connecting a vehicle to sensors that measure traffic and available parking spaces, cars can find free spaces faster than by driving around looking for one. The service first calculates the expected arrival time at parking spaces within the desired area by using traffic and congestion data. Historical data regarding seasonal variations is then used to analyse changes to the current availability of parking spaces to predict where there may be free spaces at the estimated time of arrival. The service could both be implemented directly in the vehicle or for example through a mobile app.
Photo: Katja Kircher/VTI
According to Sogol Kharrazi, senior researcher at VTI, the parking service has many benefits.
“As the service guides the driver to the nearest free parking space, less distance is travelled, and you arrive faster. It also reduces emissions, traffic, and congestion”, she says.
More about the parking study
SmartPark was simulated and evaluated in the Kista area in Stockholm and was compared to a driver driving around unassisted and looking for a free space. The project was carried out as part of the Strategic Vehicle Research and Innovation programme (FFI). In addition to VTI and the University of Skövde, participants in the project included the City of Stockholm, Stockholm Parkering, and Kista Science City.
Read more:
VTI report 1033A(2020) written by Sogol Kharrazi and Yacine Atif:
Sustainable smart-parking management for connected and autonomous vehicles
Contact:
Sogol Kharrazi
sogol.kharrazi@vti.se
VTI, Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, Sweden
Follow us: