Traffic Congestion Around Parking Garage #6 By: Brandon Chase, Sean Pfaff, Anthony Sebastian, Brian Zuccaro

Outline Identification of a Need Problem Definition Search Constraints Criteria Alternative Solutions Analysis Decision Specification Communication Conclusion Resources

Identification of a Need All individuals who commute to Wayne State University need a place to park

With high demand from faculty, visitor and students, improvements need to be made in capacity and flow rates to parking structure #6. Problem Definition

Search Reviewed the report issued by the Parking Task Force. Spoke via with the project manager of the Welcome Center Project. Interviewed Civil Engineering Professor, Dr. Datta

Constraints The Parking Garage design and parking space capacity. The current road layout is already in place. Limited budget supplied from the University parking budget. The parking structures location. University and City approval.

Criteria Cost- The cost of any modification is the most weighted criteria. Compatible- The solution can’t hinder any other building access. Easier Access - Able to get in and out much faster.

Alternative Solutions Shuttle Service to off campus lots. Switch payment to exit instead of entrance. Reverse the one-way on Putnam. Take away meters and make Putnam a two- way road. Speed pass payment system. Early capacity sign.

Analysis Much of the analysis that might be done to solve this problem involves queuing theory. This theory describes and predicts some important characteristics of a waiting line. Something requiring service joins a line and then is selected by a service mechanism.

Analysis To apply this analytical study to our problem we would define the cars as the “something” waiting in the queue and the one-card machines as the service mechanism We also must find the mean rate of arrival for the cars and the expected waiting time in the system.

Analysis Assuming the mean arrival rate of the cars is constant we can describe the length of the line by the equation: Line length = Mean arrival rate X The expected waiting time in the system L = λW W = Time in the line + the mean service time To decrease the line length we must decrease the time in the system or the mean arrival rate.

Analysis Shuttle Service solves the problem of the mean arrival rate in our equation, if students will use it. Because the structure is so close to the campus we can assume that an arrival rate decrease by a shuttle service would be minimal at best.

Analysis A payment switch would solve the problem of queue lengths upon entrance to the structure. The service time for the line waiting to get in would be dramatically less thus decreasing the length of the waiting line. This solution could be implemented with relatively small cost.

Analysis Changing the one-way on Putnam to a two way, would allow greater traffic flow but poses two big problems. Because of surrounding roads and traffic volumes, road size doesn’t permit changes. It is expensive to widen and change a road.

Analysis A speed-pass payment system would further reduce the service time thus reducing lines both on entrance and exit lines. Only regular students and faculty would have access to such a system. Cost of the equipment and communication of it’s use could be quite high.

Analysis Early warning capacity signs would decrease mean arrival rate at times when the structure is approaching capacity. In order for a system to work, signs would have to be placed in too many locations to inform the majority of drivers.

Decision The budget allotted is small, as seen in the appendices of the parking task forces report. But improving the service time could be reduced for entering the structure by switching to payment from entrance to exit. For many, the time spent waiting to get in is more valuable then the time spent waiting to get out.

Specification Switching the payment to the exits solves the problem of long lines on entrance to the structure. But because many students forget to put money on their one-cards, the unpaid balances would need to be added to next semesters tuition. The one-card machines would need to be moved to the exit points. Because a new exit may be implemented, analysis of the queue lengths for exit will have to be analyzed at a later time.

Communication First, the ideas would have to be proposed to the university for any special budget considerations Then, the city would need to be informed incase of zoning or something. Communication to students and faculty of the changes and one-card system.

Conclusion and Future Recommendations We find the most inexpensive solution to the existing structure would be to switch payment from entrance to exit. Ultimately, as the student and faculty population increases more structures will be needed. But with better initial analysis, the problems of structure 6 can be avoided.