urban parking assist

April 2nd, 2009 admin

One of the most significant challenges associated with driving into urban environments is the ability to find a parking space.  One can circle busy city blocks for lengthy periods of time while disrupting the traffic flow in pursuit of a space that meets the needs of their individual vehicle.

This proposed system hopes to aid in the parking process by both marking open spaces and providing the driver with an accurate measurement of the actual size of the space.  Furthermore, the embedded sidewalk sensors will be able to gauge the size of the vehicle as it makes its initial approach towards the parking space, leaving no chance to the equation.  If the car will not fit, the driver will be notified preventing any unnecessary traffic blockages.

Sensors embedded within the sidewalk simply detect the presence of a vehicle.  Gaps where no cars are detected are measured by the system.  Each sensor is mated with embedded laser projection system that allows for a highly focused, day visible, and unobtrusive projection that is visible in all conditions (System has not been tested in Canada due to excessive snow accumulation).

An interested driver will now simply have to scan the street for a green demarcation.  At a glance the driver will know if any spaces on the street are even open, preventing the need to delay traffic on that particular street as they would slowly search for a potential space.  If a space was found by the driver, they would see a measurement of the space as they approached the parking spot.  Stopping directly in front of the space will trigger a verification system that measures the car that wishes to park in the given spot.  If the car is of a suitable size, the projection will remain green.  Otherwise the projection system will mark the space in red, providing a clear indication that the space is not suitable for the vehicle in question.

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