IH02-PatriciaWang

From IEOR 170 Spring 2007

[edit] Problem Context & Forces

Currently, people who use parking meters add the amount of money that most accurately reflects how long they will be utilizing the space. However, it is often difficult to judge exactly how long one needs, so users will often either overshoot or undershoot the payment amount. People would therefore have to keep tabs on when they need to return to the meter to add money, otherwise risking receipt of a ticket. Because people have a tendency to lose track of time particularly when preoccupied with another activity, it would be easy for them to overlook the need to add more money to the meter.

[edit] Target User Group

The users targeted for this solution would be anyone who utilizes street parking and parking meters. Generally, these users would require the parking space for an amount of time such that that they would need to add money to the meter before it runs out in order to continue parking in the same space. Additionally, this group would preferably have cell phones or other communication devices.

[edit] Solutions Sketch

Meters can be designed such that the user can enter their contact number and be notified of when to return to their parking meter via a text message of sorts.