english proposal report
m762
ImplementingParkingSensorstoImproveCSUNCampusParking.docx
Implementing Parking Sensors to Improve CSUN Campus Parking
Kevin Fuentes, Abtin Jaberi, Clarissa Nassar, Kenny Phung, Elizabeth Santiago
ENGL 306
11/17/17
Individual Assignments:
· Clarissa Nassar
· Purpose, timetable, background info, request for approval
· Elizabeth Santiago
· Header, background info
· Kenny Phung
· Methods of research
· Kevin Fuentes
· Interview and interview paragraph under methods of research
· Abtin Jaberi
· Methods of research
To: Dr. Harrison, CSUN President
From: Kevin Fuentes, Abtin Jaberi, Clarissa Nassar, Kenny Phung, Elizabeth Santiago, CSUN Students
Date: November 17, 2017
Subject: Implementing Parking Sensors to Improve CSUN Campus Parking
Purpose
To resolve the issue of on campus parking at California State University Northridge, we propose to investigate parking sensors as a solution and write a research report about its effectiveness and benefits to the CSUN community.
Background of The Problem
As a campus composed of commuters, California State University, Northridge encounters many issues with parking availability. This issue affects every member of Cal State Northridge. Professors and students alike are late to class, deteriorating the quality of education offered at school. As listed on the CSUN website, the school offers 9,323 parking spots for its community of more than 40,000 people. Although not every commuter commutes in his or her personal car, the number of parking spaces CSUN provides is equivalent to less than 10% of the student population (Parking Structures). This is not enough to provide enough spaces for the people who do commute in his or her car. This also leads to congestion and accidents in the streets and CSUN parking lots due to the high number of people looking for a spot. Finding a solution to on campus parking is crucial.
The scarcity of parking spaces results in serious ramifications for Cal State Northridge students, faculty, and staff. People can spend up to a half hour looking for a parking space on campus. This is an issue that occurs on other campuses as well. For example, a student from Cal State Long Beach said, "even the professors sometimes struggle, coming in 15 or 20 minutes late to class, saying they couldn't find parking” (Rivera, 2015). Both professors and students end up late to their class due to going around in circles or back and forth to parking structures. The consequence for being late are not that big for professor but for students it is a bigger issue because either they are being marked tardy or absent and some professor are not as comprehending. If some teachers are strict, some students may even be dropped from their classes. Another issue is that “neighbors have complained about student hogging spaces on residential areas” (Rivera, 2015). Once students can not find a solution and do not want to be late to their class, they head residential area near the building of their class and take residents parking. It benefits the student by saving time as well as not having to pay for a parking ticket. This leads to students parking in residential area more, which leads to loss of money for the campus due to the drop in parking ticket or permit sales.
In conjunction to the issue of wasted time, safety is another key reason to find a solution for the Cal State Northridge parking issue. The more time a person spends driving around causes their attention span to decrease and their frustration to increase. Both of these raise a person’s chance of being involved in an accident. A survey conducted by the University of Michigan Transportation Research “show that there are about 10,000 traffic accidents occur due to enter or leave parking lots in 12 million traffic accidents. While in fact the actual number of accidents is much more than the number of the traffic report” (Wang, 2014). Diminishing the time spent looking for a parking space will decrease a student or staff member's risk of being involved in an accident. If the amount of time driving for a parking space is decreased, people are more likely to remain engaged drivers. This will lead to less car accidents on the CSUN campus and to a safer environment for pedestrians.
Understanding that parking availability is a major campus issue affecting staff, students, and visitors will benefit the CSUN community. California currently has the most drivers in the United States, and this is contributed by the amount of campuses and work available. With this growing amount in driver, transportation has become more important than ever for students. Not all students have cars, but for those that do, having less stress can really help a student. It is important that CSUN recognizes how much sensors will help, because it will save a lot of time, gas, and accidents for students and staff. This is the biggest concern of safety for CSUN, so we request permission to do further research on a solution that will benefit California State University, Northridge campus and reputation as well as the students, faculty, and staff of CSUN and other majority commuter universities.
Questions to Be Investigated
At the preliminary stage of our research, our report will need to address the following questions related to the parking sensors are:
1. How many parking spots (staff and student) are available on campus?
2. How many parking passes are issued per semester?
3. What other campuses have high levels of commuting students? And how do they deal with the issue of on campus parking?
4. How much do parking sensors cost?
5. Where will the parking sensors be placed? What size are they?
6. How long will it take for the parking sensors to be implemented?
7. How do the parking sensors work?
8. How do the sensors benefit students?
9. What drawbacks are associated with parking sensors?
10. Do parking sensors have any additional pros? Time, pollution, safety, etc.
We propose dividing our research into three main parts: CSUN data, parking sensor details and efficiency, and additional benefits.
Method of Research
To acquire our information, we will research parking space availability sensors through the CSUN school databases, online sources, and professional experts. We will also go to the library and see if we can find any information about parking sensors or troubles at Cal State Northridge. Based on all the information we found, the database OneSearch, listed on the CSUN Library website yielded the most information about parking sensors.
To narrow down the search options, the keywords we used were: parking structure sensors, parking space sensors, parking space availability sensors, and open parking spot sensors in the OneSearch database on the Oviatt Library Website. We also looked online and found articles published by The Los Angeles Times and Popular Mechanics. Based on what we found from the school’s database, library, and articles from the web, we believe that these following sources should be used for research:
Chen, et al. “Parking Survey Made Efficient in Intelligent Parking Systems.” Procedia Engineering, vol. 137, 2016, pp. 487–495.
“Controlling a Parking Lot Sensor in Patent Application Approval Process.” Politics &Amp; Government Business, 2017, p. 1265.
“Germany: Bosch Introduces New Technology to Find Parking Space.” Just - Auto Global News, 30 Sept. 2015, p. 30.
“Global Smart Parking Market Report 2015-2019 - Increased Use of Data Analytics to Optimize Parking.” PR Newswire Europe Including UK Disclose, 15 Sept. 2015, p. 15.
Hall, Tim, et al. “Spotection: An Efficient and Versatile Parking Spot Detection System.” Journal of Management &Amp; Engineering Integration, vol. 5, no. 2, 2012, pp. 89–97.
Himal Pratap Singh, et al. “An Approach to Implement Cost Efficient Space Detection Technology with Lower Complexity for Smart Parking System.” Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, vol. 15, no. 3, 2015, pp. 415–419.
Huang, Andrew. “Parking Display Makes Its Debut.” University Wire, 31 Mar. 2014, pp. University Wire, Mar 31, 2014.
Jae Kyu Suhr, and Ho Gi Jung. "Sensor Fusion-Based Vacant Parking Slot Detection and Tracking." Intelligent Transportation Systems, IEEE Transactions on 15.1 (2014): 21-36. Web.
May Thaw Htet, et al. “Design And Implementation Of Smart Parking System Using Peripheral Interface Controllers And Infrared Sensors.” International Journal of Scientific &Amp; Technology Research, vol. 4, no. 8, 2015, pp. 66–70.
“Parking Structures.” California State University, Northridge, California State University, Northridge, 9 June 2014, www.csun.edu/licensing/parking-structures.
Rivera, Carla. “College campuses are working to lessen parking pains”. Los Angeles Times. 13 Dec. 2015. Web. 14 Nov. 2017.
Ross, Valerie. “Smart Parking Systems Steer Drivers to open spaces.” Popular Mechanics. 16 Feb. 2011. Web. 14 Nov. 2017.
Suhr, J. K., and H. G. Jung, "Sensor Fusion-Based Vacant Parking Slot Detection and Tracking," in IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 21-36, Feb. 2014.
Suhr, Jae Kyu, and Ho Gi Jung. “Automatic Parking Space Detection and Tracking for Underground and Indoor Environments.” Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions On, vol. 63, no. 9, 2016, pp. 5687–5698.
Suhr, J. K., and H. G. Jung, "Automatic Parking Space Detection and Tracking for Underground and Indoor Environments," in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 63, no. 9, pp. 5687-5698, Sept. 2016.
Wang, W., Y. Song, J. Zhang, and H. Deng. "Automatic Parking of Vehicles: A Review of Literatures." International Journal of Automotive Technology 15.6 (2014): 967-78. Web.
Wenyu Cai, et al. “Implementation of Smart Parking Guidance System Based on Parking Lots Sensors Networks.” Communication Technology (ICCT), 2015 IEEE 16th International Conference On, 2015, pp. 419–424.
Zhang, Mei, et al. “Smart Parking System Based on Wireless Sensor Network for Large Parking Lots.” Applied Mechanics and Materials, vol. 195-196, 2012, p. 889.
We also plan on interviewing Michael Yu, who is the parking manager at Cal State Northridge. We would like to ask him for his opinion on the parking availability issue and his opinion on adding sensors. We would also like to if he believes that parking sensors are worth having on campus to end the issue on parking availability. We will be also interviewing parking officers and the Chief of Police at Cal State Northridge to obtain their perspectives on the issue of parking. We would like to collect more information about the frequency of on campus car accidents that happen in parking lots.
Timetable
We hope to conclude our research by November 8 and our interview by November 20. We will work on our draft for one week and finish by November 23. We will edit the first draft and then submit it on November 24. We will then continue to edit the first draft until December 6 and submit the final draft on December 8.
Request for Approval
Thank you for approving our plan for this research paper. Any suggestions about this paper would be greatly appreciated.
Problem
To introduce the issue concerning parking related manners, is to understand the lack of attention to maintaining equity between staff, faculty, and student. California State University of Northridge is one of the largest Universities across the nation. The responsibility of the campus is to maintain parking services efficiency, and refurbish parking structures. Ultimately the CSUN community is struggling to find parking. Traffic causes major issues and creates clustered intersections.
Due to the higher intensity of traffic due to the lack of parking and notification of available parking, it not only enables dangerous conditions for students but also exacerbate air pollution.
Concerning for the safety of our community, action must be taken
To deliberate the significance of the parking issue, there has been a spike of bumper traffic inside the parking structure. Time is valuable. Staff, Students, and faculty lose about 40% of their time looking for an available parking. It is important to have proper communication. The Department of Police services & Parking services is to implement parking sensors. Notification of smart parking will integrate a customer- friendly parking experience.
Parking issues will only develop and extend existing problems such as failed notification of parking availability, traffic related injuries, air pollution and inadequate usage of time efficiency
Purpose
Scope
Discussion
Cal State Northridge is one of the bigger Cal State campuses we have, yet they have limited parking spots for the amount of students and faculty at CSUN. There are only 9,323 parking spots offered, compared to the 40,000 people that attend or work at CSUN. Other schools like Cal State Long beach and University of Michigan experience parking troubles, and believe that there would be less car accidents if parking sensors were implemented.
Parking sensors work based on waves emission and sensitivity. When a car is entering or leaving the spot, the sensor will recognize it and send a wave on whether or not there is a spot still open.
Sensors are very important as they can help students by telling them whether a spot is open or not on a floor. Students can bypass that floor if they know that their isn’t a spot. This will lead to students saving time and driving to the floor with parking. This relieves the traffic in the parking lots, and can prevent an accident.
There are a lot of pros with parking sensors, which include saving time, and more safety. With sensors, students don’t have to drive around as much looking for spots on floors. Students and faculty are also safer, because there won’t be as many cars looking for spots, which will lead to less car accidents. When there are pros, there are cons and the drawback of parking sensors, is that it will not tell you if someone is already at the spot, or whether or not someone might leave. People go in and out of the parking lot every minute, so anything could happen during the time you try to get to a certain spot. Parking sensors can also be ineffective at times due to malfunctions, which could lead to drivers looking for a spot, that was never actually available.
Conclusion
To end the the issue of on campus parking for the California State University Northridge, we emphasized how big of an issue it was becoming to the students, staff, and faculty. The parking availability was becoming dangerous to one's life because of collisions inside the parking structures. So we came up with a solution that will benefit all which is to implement parking sensors to all parking structures. This will reduce the time lost for looking for parking, no more collision with other cars and it guarantees one's safety. Once the parking sensor are implemented if they do prove to be beneficial to all then we can expand our solution to other Universities with similar parking issues.
Individual Assignments:
· Clarissa Nassar
· Purpose, timetable, background info, request for approval
· Elizabeth Santiago
· Header, background info
· Kenny Phung
· Methods of research
· Kevin Fuentes
· Interview and interview paragraph under methods of research
· Abtin Jaberi
· Methods of research
NOV. 24: Please complete it by Tuesday
Long Report Body Draft 1 DUE!
Background - Kenny
Problem - Kevin
Purpose - Done
Scope - Abtin
Discussion - Everyone
Conclusion - Elizabeth
Recommendation- Clarissa
Discussion Sections
Problems- Kevin
Interview Questions- Kenny
Statistics- Elizabeth
Survey- Abtin
Solutions- Clarissa
Simplified Question List:
1. CSUN data & similar campus data
2. How long and how much for parking sensor implementation?
3. Efficiency of product, size, location?
4. How sensors would benefit students? Pros & cons? Time, pollution, safety, etc.
5. How do sensors work?
Possible Sources (Websites):
· http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-college-parking-20151213-story.html
https://www.quora.com/How-do-parking-sensors-work-How-much-does-it-cost-to-install-one-in-a-vehicle
Possible Sources (Database):
· https://search.proquest.com/docview/217188639/EE996A208B364094PQ/15?accountid=7285
Contact Info:
· Michael Yu - Parking Manager → [email protected]
· Email for info about parking stats
· How many parking passes issued?
· Which days are most packed?
· Number of accidents in parking structures and days w/ highest number?
· How does CSUN parking compare to other CSUs?
· Improvements from his perspective?
https://goo.gl/forms/LWZAEtbAerYcVXII2
NOV. 24: Please complete it by Tuesday
Long Report Body Draft 1 DUE!
Background - Kenny
Problem - Kevin
Purpose - Done
Scope - Abtin
Discussion - Everyone
Conclusion - Elizabeth
Recommendation- Clarissa
Discussion Sections
Problems- Kevin
Interview Questions- Kenny
Statistics- Elizabeth
Survey- Abtin
Solutions- Clarissa
