EZ M-Parking System

M-commerce has been applied in parking payment systems since 2001. However, its complicated user interface increases time for motorists to complete transactions and, therefore, hurts the popularity of mobile phone-based parking systems. A new m-commerce parking system called the EZ M-parking system is proposed for both on-street and off-street parking. A unique number including a check digit is assigned to and painted on each parking space. Motorists need dial only a single number to start or end their parking service. Short message service (SMS) messages are used to send confirmations or reminders to motorists. Parking enforcement officers can check the occupancy of a parking space online or based on the SMS messages received from the management center. Officers can also send SMS messages to motorists if necessary. This system allows flexible pricing and accurate charging and includes several methods to reduce operation errors. The real-time parking occupancy data can help develop parking guidance systems and facilitate traffic and parking analysis. Motorists can buy prepaid parking cards similar to phone cards to deposit money into the account connected to their mobile phones. The EZ M-parking system is more cost-effective, user-friendly, and error-proof than conventional parking payment methods and other mobile phone-based parking systems.