BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Effective management of parking spaces in urban areas is becoming increasingly critical as cities
grapple with rising congestion and limited parking availability. Traditional approaches to parking
management often prove inadequate in addressing these challenges, resulting in driver frustration
and inefficient use of urban space. To surmount these obstacles, there is a growing interest in
leveraging technological advancements to develop innovative solutions that optimize parking
utilization and enhance the overall urban mobility experience.

Manual methods for monitoring parking availability and enforcing regulations are not only labor-
intensive but also prone to errors, exacerbating congestion and leading to suboptimal use of
parking spaces. Furthermore, the proliferation of vehicles in urban areas, driven by population
growth and increased vehicle ownership, compounds the problem, making it progressively
harder for drivers to find suitable parking spots.

The data from the Census and Economic Information Center (CEIC, 2021) highlight a significant
rise in automobile quantity over the last decade, yet parking availability in most major urban
areas still fails to meet the demand. From December 1981 to 2021, records on registered vehicles
in the Philippines indicate an average production of 2,577,529 units per year, reaching a record
high of 4,591,662 units in 2021(https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/philippines/number-of-
registered-vehicles). This surge in vehicles has led to increased instances of illegal parking,
exacerbating congestion and posing a considerable challenge to urban planners.

Efforts by the Manila city government, as reported by Tiangco (2020), demonstrate the severity
of illegal parking issues, with large-scale clearing operations resulting in the clamping of
hundreds of cars and motorcycles https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/04/over-800-cars-33-motorcycles-
clamped-in-manila/).. Such enforcement measures underscore the urgent need for effective
parking management solutions to address the challenges posed by illegal parking and alleviate
congestion.
Additionally, Garcia's article (2017) sheds light on the impact of parking difficulties on drivers,
with a significant portion reporting spending considerable time searching for parking spots
(https://ijisrt.com/assets/upload/files/IJISRT23JUN1582.pdf) . This highlights the urgent need
for solutions that streamline the parking process and enhance user satisfaction.

Advancements in technology, particularly in computer vision and artificial intelligence, offer

promising avenues for improving parking management. Camera systems deployed in parking
facilities can provide real-time data on parking availability and occupancy, enabling more
efficient monitoring and utilization of parking spaces. By leveraging image processing
algorithms, these systems can accurately detect and track vehicles, facilitating better decision-
making regarding parking allocation and enforcement.

Addressable parking, a concept that involves assigning specific parking spaces to individual
vehicles based on various criteria such as reservation status, vehicle size, or user preferences,
presents a promising approach to optimize parking utilization. Unlike traditional methods where
parking spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, addressable parking allows for
dynamic allocation of parking spaces, maximizing efficiency and minimizing congestion. This
approach not only enhances the user experience by reducing the time spent searching for parking
but also improves overall traffic flow and reduces emissions associated with idling vehicles.

The proposed study aims to develop and evaluate a camera-assisted addressable parking
algorithm that integrates camera systems with advanced algorithms to optimize parking
management. By analyzing real-time camera footage, the algorithm will monitor parking
availability and dynamically assign parking spaces to incoming vehicles based on predetermined
criteria. Factors such as proximity to the destination, parking duration, and user preferences will
be considered to maximize parking efficiency and enhance user satisfaction. In recent years,
advancements in technology have presented opportunities to address the challenges posed by
human-caused accidents on roadways and parking areas.