Cape Cod National Seashore parking management system pilot synthesis

NP83
The Cape Cod National Seashore (CACO) has undertaken a program to improve parking management at its beach parking lots, and to provide information about parking availability to CACO visitors. This project will build upon work already accomplished, to develop a networked Parking Management System (PMS) and Traveler Information System (TIS) covering the seven CACO-managed beaches (and, potentially, town-managed beaches within CACO), along with multiple systems for disseminating parking information to the public.
On September 26, 2012, the Volpe Center conducted a site survey of the beach parking lots throughout the Seashore. Included in this survey were all six of the NPS-operated parking lots, as well as eight town-operated parking lots located within the Seashore. The site survey assessed existing wireless communications coverage, networking, AC power, and other factors pertinent to deployment of parking management system components at each of the parking areas.
On June 20, 2013, as a first step toward deployment of the full parking management system, the Volpe Center installed a pilot system at the Little Creek parking area, which serves Coast Guard Beach. The pilot system was in operation for the duration of the 2013 summer season (through September 30) with a few periods when the system was not operational.
This report provides details on the pilot parking management system’s components, location, installation, testing and monitoring. It also provides the Volpe Center’s findings and conclusion