IH02-OnyiLam

From IEOR 170 Spring 2007

Problem Statement

Finding a parking space at Berkeley can be frustrating at times primarily because there are just not enough spaces. Drivers therefore sometimes risk parking at unauthorized zones, which does not only block traffic at times but can cause potential safety issues. Encouraging people to use mass transit is one solution, but that will not solve the problem entirely. Looking at other high-density communities, we can see that Berkeley is not the only area that experiences this problem. I therefore propose the following design to increase the available parking spaces.

Target User Group

My target user group is all the drivers in and visiting Berkeley. A lot of Berkeley residents have their own parking space at when they live, but it is very hard for them to look for a parking space when they drive out to shop or for other needs. Visitors, however, do not own a parking space and it is tough to locate a spot on the street. Once they find a parking spot, they also want the space wide enough such that they can park their car easily.

Design Details

1. Users will insert coins or credit card to pay for the space at the side of the lift machine.

2. Just like the conventional parking machine, the screen will flash when time expires.

3. Driver will park on the ground if it is available and latecomer will use the lift machines to lift their car up.

4. To ensure easy entry into the parking space there will be only 3 legs to support the lift with the one in the front in the middle.

5. There will be a device that can lock the wheels to the lift machine.

6. When the automobile is unloaded from the top, a red light will flash at a side to warn the coming traffic.

Problem Context and Forces

Parking spaces are especially on demand when there is a football or basketball game happening on campus and there is a read need to more parking spaces. One of the shortcomings of my proposed design is the extra space needed when the car is unloaded. Another area that may be inconvenient to drivers is the time that it takes to lift up and unload the car. Cost is another issue that the designer team must consider. We should calculate the average income from a parking space and compare it with the machine’s durability and manufacturing cost. This lift machine can also be used in department stores’ parking lot to maximize space efficiency.