Michelle Quach
Decision Support Systems
Background of Situation
The article, "Council to Take Up Plan to Ease Parking Limits" by Joe Taylor, addresses the issue of one hour street parking in a downtown city of Michigan. The new city plan, if passed, will change one hour street parking to two hour parking, three hour parking in certain designated zones around the courthouse and government buildings. In addition, the new plans calls for decrease in parking fines from $25 to $15.
Potential Problem
Although citizens are anxious for the new initiative to pass, will two hour parking cause a larger issue? If cars are allowed to park for two hours, there may be a greater chance that other cars arriving may not be able to find a parking space on the street, which may result in angrier citizens.
Modeling the Problem
In order to implement the model, data must first be collected. Data collected must include
(1) the demand for parking (number of vehicles arriving in the downtown area-per unit of time),
(2) the time that vehicles park at the meters (on a typical day) for the current situation-one hour parking max.
(3) the total number of meters in the downtown area.
The assumption made is that all vehicles are looking to park on the street, which in reality, may be preferable since downtown parking lots/garages are expensive. From here, the model should run at least twice; first with the current parking situation; and the second model for the new parking plan (2 hour parking). If we assume two hour parking times for the process time, then we may be overestimating parking times. If possible, two hour parking times can be forecasted based on one hour parking times multiplied by two; or possibly using random numbers for the two hour parking times (that are greater than one hour).
Results
If there is a significant queue of vehicle due to shortage of parking spaces, then the new initiative should not pass. If there is not significant queue, then the new initiate should proceed.
What if the plan was initiated with out the model?
Running the model will provide a comfort and confidence level for authorities and supporters of this new plan. If the new initiative was passed and created even more issues, authorities and supporters would be embarrassed for creating a larger disaster. Hence, the model can support decisions to whether pass or decline the initiative for all parties-the government, supporters, and oppossers.
References
Lawlor, Joe. "Council to Take Up Plan to Ease Parking Limits." The Flint Jounral. 6 Feb. 2008. Retrieved Feb. 6, 2008 from
