I.

Viability of Proposed Solutions

As a group we researched a multiple of different systems to implement our system for tracking
available parking. We came up with 6 total solutions we thought would work best for our app.
By using a decision matrix, calculations and survey results we came to a conclusion on the best
options to use. Detailed below are the solutions we initially considered.

Solution Detail:
a. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV):
i. The CCTV monitoring system consists of camcorders that are to be mounted on
high poles or protruding beams for generating a continuous digital feed that can
be used to find open parking spaces.
ii. These cameras would be regionally dispersed as each camera can monitor many
parking spaces at a time.

(Walmart. Outdoor Security Cameras Home Dome HD

Camera IR Night Vision Surveillanc Cameras. Walmart.com,
www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Security-Cameras-Home-Dome-HD-Camera-IR-Night-Vi
sion-Surveillanc-Cameras/122207441?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&selectedSellerId=2344&a
did=22222222227051737642&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=152505165085&wl4=pla-26
3562070779&wl5=9009981&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=113145961&wl11=o
nline&wl12=122207441&wl13=&veh=sem.)
b. Pressure Plate Sensor:
i. The Pressure Plate sensor would be built into each parking space and would be
sensitive to object that exceed a weight of 400 pounds.
ii. The distribution of pressure plates would be proportional to the number of parking
spaces in a given lot as only one parking space can be monitored by one pressure
plate.
iii. This system could also be used to count incoming and outcoming cars.

c. Light Sensor:
 i.The Light Sensor would be used to tell if there is a car over a parking space based
on the blockage of light.
ii. The distribution of light sensors would be proportional to the number of parking
spaces in a given lot as only one parking space can be monitored by one light
sensor.
iii. This system is subject to varying light conditions based on weather and time of
day.
iv. This system has the potential to miss smaller vehicles such as motorcycles.
d. Ultrasonic Sensor:
i. The Ultrasonic Sensor can be used to detect whether a car is over a parking space
using the rate at which ultrasonic sounds bounce off an object within its proximity
sensor range.
ii. This system has the potential to miss smaller vehicles such as motorcycles.
iii. This system could also be used to count incoming and outcoming cars.
e. Parking Lot Barrier Gate Counter:
i. The parking lot barrier gate can be used to count the number of incoming and
outcoming cars based on the number of times that it is raised to keep a running
total of the number of open parking spaces.
ii. There would only be one of these per parking deck.
iii. Not every parking lot on UNC Charlotte has a parking lot barrier gate with which
to mount a counter.
iv. This system cannot be used to monitor individual parking space availability.
f. GPS Vehicle Tracking
i. The GPS vehicle tracker can be mounted to cars such that they can be used to tell
whether a car is in a parking space using electromagnetic signal bouncing.
ii. This can cause suspicion and risk of unlawful monitoring of others.
iii. In violation of UNCCs Computing Network Policies.
(https://legal.uncc.edu/policies/website-network-use-policies/computing-network-
policies)

After coming up with these solutions we compiled a decision matrix with 5 criteria to determine
the best solutions. Calculations used were show below.

Monitoring Technology Selection Matrix: (Table 1, Primary Matrix)

Solutions High Software Cost of Protection Cost of Final Score
Monitoring Integrabilit Maintenan of Privacy Implement
Accuracy y (4) ce (3) (5) ation (4)
(5)
 Closed 5*4 4*4 3*5 5*3 4*5 86
Circuit
Television
(CCTV)

Pressure 5*5 4*5 3*5 5*5 4*3 97

Plate
Sensor

Light 5*2 4*3 3*4 5*5 4*3 71

Sensor

Ultrasonic 5*3 4*4 3*2 5*5 4*3 74

Proximity
Sensor

Parking 5*3 4*5 3*4 5*4 4*1 71

Lot Barrier
Gate
Counter

GPS 5*4 4*3 3*1 5*1 4*1 44

Vehicle
Tracking

Matrix Detail:
- Table 1 displays the best general technology solutions the parking surveillance system
discussed in the design goals of Section 2 and their most relevant evaluation criteria.

Used Calculations:
Budget: $200
Cost of Android publishing: $25
1. CCTV
- Camera: $14.63 (Walmart. Outdoor Security Cameras Home Dome HD Camera IR
Night Vision Surveillanc Cameras. Walmart.com,
www.walmart.com/ip/Outdoor-Security-Cameras-Home-Dome-HD-Camera-IR-Night-Vi
sion-Surveillanc-Cameras/122207441?wmlspartner=wmtlabs&selectedSellerId=2344&a
did=22222222227051737642&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=152505165085&wl4=pla-26
3562070779&wl5=9009981&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=113145961&wl11=o
nline&wl12=122207441&wl13=&veh=sem.)
- Raspberry Pi 3 Computer: $35.00 (https://www.adafruit.com/product/3055)
- Average cost of Server and Maintenance: $30/month
 - Total: $104.63
2. Pressure/Light/Ultrasonic Sensor:
- Vex Cortex retail: $250 (https://www.vexrobotics.com/276-2194.html)
- Vex Cortex + Sensors provided through school: $0
- Total Price: $25

3. Parking Lot Barrier Counter:

- Vehicle Counter: $300
- Total: $325

4. GPS Tracking:
- GPS System Implementation: $70(thousands of cars) = A lot over budget
(http://www.spytecinc.com/gps-satellite-tracking.html)
- Total: Too Much