Parking guidance and
information (PGI) systems, or car park guidance systems, present
drivers with dynamic information on parking within controlled areas.
The systems combine traffic monitoring, communication, processing
and variable message sign technologies to provide the service.
Modern parking lots
utilize a variety of technologies to help motorists find unoccupied parking
spaces, car location when returning to the vehicle and improve their
experience. This includes adaptive
lighting, sensors and parking space led indicators (red
for occupied, green for available and blue is reserved for the disabled; above
every parking space), and indoor positioning system(IPS).
PGI systems are a product
of the worldwide initiative for the development of intelligent
transportation system in urban areas. PGI systems can assist in the
development of safe, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation
network.
PGI systems are designed
to aid in the search for vacant parking spaces by directing drivers
to car parks where occupancy levels are low. The objective is to
reduce search time, which in turn reduces congestion on the
surrounding roads for other traffic with related benefits to air
pollution with the ultimate aim of enhancement of the urban area.