UPARK App
The part that makes this parking system stand out from others is the integrated smartphone app. Below are screen shots of the Android app for UPARK. There are two views to display the garage data. Users can view a list or map of the garages at the University of Akron. The garage data includes the name, available spaces, permits allowed, and an alert if there is a special announcement.
Now available for your Android device on the Google Play Market.
 The splash screen displayed when the app is launched. |
 The collapsed list view displaying the parking garage names and information. |
 The system has the ability to be expanded to display the spaces available on the parking garage levels. By tapping on a garage name a list will expand showing the availability for each level. |
 Some times parking garages may have their top level closed for snow removal or be used for event parking. The app has integrated a way for parking services to make these alerts available to drivers ahead of time. |
 Of course, not everyone may know the name of a particular garage or may know it by another name. The map view clearly indicates the parking garages on campus and how full they are currently. |
 Simply tap a garage marker and the name and availability display. The marker colors also provide a quick glance of the garage’s availability. Red indicates the garage is at least 98% full, yellow 85% full, otherwise the marker is green. The blue marker is included to allow quick navigation back to the center of the map. |
UPARK DESKTOP APPLICATION
The desktop application is required during initial setup of the system and for issuing mobile notifications. Only people with proper credentials can log in to the application to update the information as needed. After the initial configuration and setup there is little maintenance that needs to be performed. Occasionally the system will need to be re calibrated which can be done from this application. More frequent updates will most likely be made to the Closings tab in the GarageSetup window.
 This login window appears on start-up of the desktop application to restrict access to only those with permission. |
 The home screen of the desktop application. |
 When a sensor unit is moved the new position must be updated using this window. The Unit ID indicates the unit and can then be assigned to a garage and level. |
 There can be many permit types for a parking infrastructure. The FloorDesignationSetup keeps a list of permits and can be edited as needed. |
 The GarageSetup window provides the ability to add and edit parking garages. Once a garage is created the maximum occupancy, current occupancy, and permit types for each level can be set. |
 At times various levels may be closed due to weather or serving as both student and event parking. The GarageSetup window also allows the user to enter an event to notify mobile app users ahead of time. |
UPARK CAR DETECTION SYSTEM
The UPARK system will detect cars entering and leaving a parking garage using image processing. A demonstration of the detection system in action is below. A small scale test is shown first, followed by a real world example. The final system will be altered so the image and detection regions are not impeded by the extended overhanging bar that blocks the vehicles in the real demonstration. When a change in the count occurs the server-side software will update the database holding the number of available spaces. The change in available spaces can then be seen when the app is refreshed or on the LED sign.