Page 45 - TT July Issue for Digital Edition

PARKING

In today’s malls, the ANPR technology scans
the number plate along with the photograph
of the driver and after reading the data,
causes the boom barrier to rise automatically.
The same process is repeated at the exit.
Automation also reduces the siphoning or
misappropriation of funds to a great extent.
The only issue is when the number plate is
in the vernacular in vehicles belonging to
owners who have a strong ethnic affiliation,
as the technology is not yet able to read
these characters. To address this, malls have
created a holding area where manual tickets
are issued. However, these are exceptions as
more than 90% of the number plates are as
per the guidelines of the government. Apart
from this, the system works fine.
In both the old and new processes, there is
an inlaid sensor loop (inductive loops which
work like a metal detector as they measure
the change in the field when objects pass
over them) which would detect the arrival
of a vehicle. Similarly at the exit, the sensor
loop which is below the surface records the For all the talk of AI which has
departure of the vehicle.
been pushed down our throats
Having worked in O&M of many premises, by corporates, it is still nascent
one realises that the operations aspect, technology. Facial recognition
including parking, is either ignored or not
given enough focus. The new team runs into on CCTV cameras is definitely
challenges and trying to make-do, adapt or happening and is growing. It will
retrofit only increases costs and does not give probably be the next big thing.
the desired results. It is advisable therefore, at Linking databases of malls to those
the design stage to keep the parking structure of government bodies like the
linear and not have dark and dead corners
that pose a threat to security from activities RTO and the police will happen.
like theft and presence of undesirable It may take some time but that is
elements. It is important to have a parking definitely the future.
area which is well-lit, visible and with a layout
able to accommodate adequate number of – Manoj K. Agarwal
CCTVs for optimal scanning.

From a general safety perspective, a
number of malls now have a pedestrian
walkway in the parking area, replete with guards are provided to ensure the vehicles are
signages so families can safely navigate from safe from pilferage and damage. In some malls,
their vehicle to the mall interior without high-range cameras are installed on rooftops
being surprised by a vehicle. For vehicles which have a range of up to 800 mtrs.
parked on roads and pavements, one cannot All well-designed malls, in order to decongest
do much by way of providing security other and improve security, have designated pick-up
than by hiring personnel to monitor them, and drop-off points and separate zones outside
much like for those spilling over from hotel their boundaries for autorickshaws, radio taxis
and mall parking lots, where extra security and public transport. TT

www.trafficinfratech.com / July 2024 / TRAFFICINFRATECH 45