It is no secret that the lack of available parking on campus is the one complaint by students across the board. Promising a quick-fix solution to this long-standing problem would be a blatant fabrication, however Pulse hopes to provide an alternative while this contentious issue of parking is properly tackled.

PULSE spoke to Stefan Scerri from iMovo Ltd., who has developed a mobile application which provides the user with parking occupancy data. If developed further, at the click of a button or through voice control, this app would indicate the number of available parking spots on campus in real-time.

This system seeks to reduce the amount of time, fuel and energy wasted in driving around aimlessly with the hope of finding a parking space, sometimes even in vain. By checking the application through an iPhone or Android device prior to arriving to University, one would be able to make an informed decision about whether it would be more feasible to drive, use public transport, or cycle. This would be made possible by the installation of sensors and/or cameras around University car parks.

The status of parking availability is made known to users within a maximum 5-second period, and it also allows hands-free use by announcing its search results through voiceover, making it practical and efficient.

Through this app, Pulse aims to encourage the use of alternate means of transport. Other than checking parking availability, the app will also inform the user of the most efficient bus route from the user’s location, via geolocation, to University, including the timetable for the advised route and the nearest bus stop.

The user is also given a cycling route and approximate time of journey. Therefore this app would be also encouraging environmentally friendly means of commuting.

Mr. Scerri lists the SFpark project in San Francisco as the main source of influence of this project. In 2011, wireless parking sensors were installed in over 8000 parking spaces, and access to parking availability information was made available to drivers. Although smart-parking technology is still at its early stages, it is being introduced in cities the world over, and hopefully soon making its way to the University of Malta.

Locally, the application has already been developed and tested on a small scale. If implemented, the app could be the ideal way to gather statistics about the peak-time of parking use, leading the way to possible consultation with various faculties for the dispersing of lectures. In doing so, the problem would be tackled in a realistic, feasible way.

This is just the beginning. We want to reach a situation where parking does not remain the all-time problem of University students.

Left: Stefan Scerri, winner of the annual Malta Internet Foundation Award by the Malta Internet Foundation.

Top photo: Foreign examples how the App look like, and how it can be used in a safe manner.

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