Business System of MUN - Assignment Example

Business System Executive Overview MUN has parking challenges. The drivers in some cases spend minutes moving round the entireparking area, so as to access a parking space. The vehicles are poorly packed, and no particular order is followed. Some spaces are permanently reserved, even though the authorized drivers and vehicle may not be around. This limits parking space for other deserving drivers. To address the parking problem, the project aims at designing a parking system the will use information systems to illustrate available spaces in real time. This will save time because the drivers will immediately heady to the illustrated storage area. The system combined information system with indicators in the identification of parking areas. Assumptions The project is affected by time and resource limitations. The financial resources required to plan for and implement the parking system, should be effectively budgeted for. The system should be implemented by a competent computer programmer in consultation with the building architect. It is thus assumed that MUN has adequate finances that will be used in implementing the project. The project also requires 2 months to be a success. It is thus expected that MUN has adequately created a schedule for the implementation of the parking system project. It is also assumed that the project will be environmentally friendly. This is through minimizing fuel use, because drivers quickly notice available parking slots. High Level Design The Car Park Guidance System (CPGS) gives drivers dynamic data concerning parking in a controlled environment, like in the parking area of MUN. CPGS is alternatively referred to as the Parking Guidance and Information systems (PGI). CPGS integrates traffic monitoring, variable message sign, GPS, communication and processing technologies, to give the service. The modern parking spaces apply several technologies that assist motorists in; getting parking lots that are unoccupied, locating their vehicles, and also enhancing their parking experience. The technologies involve adaptive lighting, indoor positioning system (IPS), sensors, and also space led indicators. The red indicator illustrates an occupied space, the green indicator illustrates available space, and the blue indicator illustrating reservation for the elderly. The PGI is a key component of the intelligence transport system, which is mainly applicable in urban area environments and institutions like the MUN. The PGI assists in the implementation of an effective, efficient, environmentally friendly, and safe parking space. The PGI system operates through identifying vacant parking spaces, through guiding the drivers in park slots that have not occupied. The major aim of the PGI system is to minimize search time, and thus minimize congestion at the entry and exit points to the MUN parking space. The system also has additional green benefits such as air pollution. The Parking Guidance System (PGS) has several elements. The elements are: 1. Detectors 2. LED indictors 3. Zone Controllers 4. Intermediate Controllers 5. Central Control System 6. Signs The detectors apply several technologies. These technologies involve; ultrasonic detectors, magnetic sensors, infrared detectors, forward mounting sensors, and the camera sensors. The magnetic sensors are effective in detecting vehicles through the magnetic field. The most effective detector in car park systems entails the combination of several vehicle detection technologies. The LED indicators are applicable per space. The LED indicators give direction to the drivers towards the last available parking space. The Zone Control Unit (ZCU) is the middle part of the parking ultrasonic detector. The layer manages the ultrasonic detectors, identifies the ultrasonic detectors, and then transmits relevant information to the higher element, and in some cases the central controller. One zone has the capacity to support 16 to 100 detectors, in accordance to the production of the Parking Guidance System. The data controllers are aimed at accumulating information and then directing it towards Central control Unit. Other intermediate controllers connect to the Central control Unit directly. The central Control System entails the Parking Guidance System. The management software involves the electronic map and layout of the car park, which is integrated in the software. The electronic map can effectively illustrate in real time the usage level of the car park. The operators analyze the car park environment, based on the electronic map. In the case of wrongly packed cars, the systems accept automatic rewriting the parking spaces to illustrate the real situation concerning the parking space. The database that supports this system is the SQL Server/Access. The LED displays, both indoors and outdoors are applied in informing the drivers concerning the parking spaces that are available, hence they are adequately able to access the empty spaces. A special category of the PGI is the PGS Parking Guidance System. The PGS should be effectively applied at the MUN parking space. The system has several functions: 1. Data collection based on each parking pay, and also entry or exit. 2. Real time indication of the parking slot available. 3. Data logging 4. Ensuring quick and easy parking access. 5. Provide required statistics in real time. 6. Ensure effective analysis and presentation of data. 7. Minimize park congestion, and also maximize occupancy. The picture below shows installed indicators. The red indicator illustrates occupied car park slot. The several green indicators show the number of spaces which are available. The MUN parking space can greatly benefit from this indicator arrangement. A closer look at the indicator shows three indicator slots. The green indicator is on; however, the red and the blue indicator are off. Thus, cars can park in the slot. The vehicle e arrangement base on the system is shown in the image below. The two cars are safely parked in the slots having the red indicates. The green indicator shows an empty slot which can be accessed by drivers. The two images below shows presentation and statistics on the usage level of the parking slot. The screen of the parking system is placed on strategic place within and at the entrance of the parking area. This is aimed at giving drivers clear direction on the next available parking space. The statistics indicate the slots which have low occupancy rates. The driver will thus head towards the slots having lowest occupancy. The system is effective and efficient. The time of the driver is saved, because parking slot is accessed immediately. Input: The GPS and sensor programs are used to enter data related to parking traffic. Process: The data is processed to influence the indicator reaction. Output: Display signal (red, green or blue) Database: Data bases contain the computer program that manages the traffic system. The program use geographical positioning and sensors to determine availability of packing slots. Features The system will apply three approaches to manage the parking slots. These are: 1. Indicators – uses green, blue and red color to show parking spaces. Red shows an occupied space, green illustrates empty or available space, and blue shows parking slot for the disabled. 2. Display board – located at the entrance of parking area, and gives a general picture of available and occupied parking spaces. 3. Statistics board – shows the level of usage of each parking slot. The drivers are encouraged to use parking slots with lows usage percentages. Implementation Challenges Adoption of the parking system has several bottlenecks. The first challenge entails the identification of the expert who will lead the project. The project manager must be competent enough to ensure smooth operations of the system. Thus potential project managers must illustrate previous experience in such projects. The project for enhances functioning of the parking spaces requires utilization of financial resources. Thus MUN should ensure availability of finances through effectively estimating the value of the project, and then budgeting for the project. Drivers will be inconvenienced during the 2 months implementation period. They will be required to use alternative public parking, when the system is being installed at MUN. Training of the targeted users must also be done. This is to enable them understand how the indicators operate. Thus extra resources must be allocated for training. Strategy for Implementation The implementation will be done on three phases. The first phase will entails acquisition of resources and expert knowledge. The second phase entails planning and actual execution of the project. The last phase involves training of users of how the system works, and then opening the new parking system officially. Reference http://www.jves.co.za/index.php/pgs/technical-documents/ultrasound-sensor-height-issue-3 Read More