Smartphone-based parking guidance algorithm and implementation

To alleviate parking problem and offer convenient and efficient service for drivers in parking selection, a smartphone-based parking guidance algorithm and system implementation architecture are proposed. The algorithm describes parking selection as multi-criteria decision making. Dijkstra algorithm is used to suggest the shortest path for the candidate parking lots. Travel cost criteria for the shortest path and parking cost criteria for the candidate parking lots are integrated to constitute a multi-criteria decision set. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method is explored to decide criteria weights and further make decision about the most appropriate parking lot for drivers. This work also gives the smartphone-based parking guidance system architecture to implement the proposed algorithm. The system enables drivers to inquire the information such as the optimal parking lot recommended by the proposed algorithm and driving route to the suggested parking lot on smartphone. To illustrate the implementation process of the proposed algorithm, an example is presented. The proposed algorithm and system not only provide drivers with services such as intelligent parking decision, convenient inquiry, and route navigation, but also reduce cruising time, energy consumption, and traffic congestion caused by searching available parking lots.