A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A SMART PARKING SYSTEM IN PORT OF SPAIN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

Sarah Rooplal1*, Boppana V. Chowdary2

1,2Faculty of Engineering, The University of the West Indies, Trinidad

1Email: sroopla@gmail * (Corresponding author)

2Email: boppana.chowdary@sta.uwi.edu

Abstract:

Parking challenges and problems are prominent worldwide as well as in Trinidad and Tobago. The capital city of Trinidad, Port Of Spain, is a major area where these challenges are experienced as there are approximately 30% of the population who venture into the city on a daily basis during the week. Worldwide trends involve the utilization of Internet of Things (IoT) platforms expected to alleviate parking challenges by implementation of contemporary parking models such as a smart parking system (SPS). This study investigated feasibility for implementation of a SPS in Port Of Spain.

In this study, a Discrete Event Simulation (DES) modelling approach was used to simulate real-life scenarios of the standard parking and a proposed SPS model for a facility chosen in Port Of Spain. These simulation models were executed effectively and results were validated. Verifications were done by comparing how the models worked, to the existing parking facility. Models were then validated using the Chi-squared statistic to determine if there were any statistical difference between developed models and actual statistic. The proposed SPS will reduce driver frustration in finding a vacant parking spot, fuel usage and also reduce environmental degradation.

 

Keywords: Smart Parking System; Discrete Event Simulation; Internet of Things.   

 

https://doi.org/10.47412/FZWN8308

 

 

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