UPark

The UMass Campus has several methods of parking payment services. These methods expect the user to either purchase a permit, carry loose change, or even install a third-party application. Overall, these different forms of payment methods make it cumbersome for the user as well as the administrator to monitor parking transactions. There exists a more convenient way with UPark.

We aim to solve the problem of inconsistency by introducing the use of RFID transponders, in vehicles on campus. These transponders will communicate with RFID readers at distinctive entrances and exits of parking lots across campus and charge the users accordingly. The whole parking payment process is now seamless and contactless, and managed by a centralized parking control system which allows users to track their logs

The UMass Campus has several methods of parking payment services. These methods expect the user to either purchase a permit, carry loose change, or even install a third-party application. Overall, these different forms of payment methods make it cumbersome for the user as well as the administrator to monitor parking transactions. There exists a more convenient way with UPark.

• System must communicate with a centralized parking control system
• System must automatically detect vehicles entering/exiting the parking lots with almost 100% accuracy
• System must include a contactless payment transaction system
• Transaction logs and vehicle activity across campus can be viewed by the administrator, UMass Parking Services, while individual user transaction logs can be viewed by the customer through a Web Application
• System must be able to sustain extreme weather conditions between 0 ℃ and 48 ℃
• System will draw power from the UMass 115 VAC Bus
• As a proof-of-concept, our system will be built for parking lots with separate entry and exit points