Duke University partners with Park Assist on new parking guidance system

Duke University has partnered with Park Assist on a new parking guidance system that will make it easier and safer for Duke Hospital patients and visitors to find available spaces in the multi-level parking facility.

The international parking company will install a camera-based intelligent parking guidance system in the 1,750-space garage at the Trent Drive site.

Duke reportedly chose to implement Park Assist throughout their garage to make parking a user-friendly experience throughout the location. The successful candidate proved to be Park Assist’s M4 smart sensor system with digital signage, which is designed to guide drivers to available spaces and alleviate congestion during peak periods.

As motorists enter the visitor level of the garage, a digital sign will show motorists how many parking spots are open on each floor. LED green lights attached to the ceiling above each parking space will guide drivers to available spaces with the help of sensors.

According to Park Assist, the M4 system was selected because of its “proven track record of delivering a stress-free parking experience for visitors, patients, volunteers and staff.”

“We are excited to provide this technology to our patients, and visitors will be able to maneuver more quickly and efficiently throughout the garage,” said Director of Duke Parking and Transportation Services, Carl DePinto.

Park Assist claims the company’s robust software suite will enable the university to make data-driven decisions regarding parking preferences and behaviours as well as operational efficiencies.

Duke University Hospital is a world-renowned academic medical centre and the flagship teaching hospital for the Duke University Health System. It is consistently placed among the top healthcare organisations in the country. In 2019, US News & World Report ranked it 19th best medical centre in the United States.

This, of course, means the facility gets busy with over 3,400 guests entering just one parking garage daily.

“Park Assist is honoured to partner with Duke University Hospital, one of America’s iconic health care institutions, to help deliver an effortless, stress-free parking experience for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers,” said Park Assist General Manager of North America, Vince Balsamo.

The contract between Duke and Park Assist is currently only for one parking garage but will likely expand once the university has been able to assess the new technology and determine whether to install it in other campus garages.