Campus Ideaz

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E-Cell OC

The Problem

Every day, particularly during the 10 AM to 12 PM peak hours, hundreds of students at Mahindra University face a frustrating search for a parking spot in the Multi-Level Car Park (MLCP). This daily hunt involves slowly circling three floors, wasting valuable time and fuel, only to potentially find the lot completely full. This inefficient process leads to unnecessary stress and frequent tardiness for mid-morning classes and labs, impacting a significant portion of the student body.

The Proposed Solution 

ParkSmart MU is a smart parking guidance system designed to eliminate the guesswork and frustration of finding a parking spot. The system works by installing small, ultrasonic sensors above each parking bay to detect vehicle presence in real-time.This information is then relayed to Large Digital Displays at the entrance of the MLCP, showing the exact number of vacant spots available on each floor (P1: 17 | P2: 8 | P3: FULL).

Problems Solved 

By providing accurate, real-time data, ParkSmart MU transforms the chaotic parking routine into a seamless, efficient process. It drastically cuts down search time from 10-15 minutes to under a minute, directly reducing fuel consumptionand associated carbon emissions. Most importantly, it alleviates the stress and anxiety for students rushing to class, ensuring they can arrive on campus calm and ready to learn.

Why It Works

The solution is highly effective and simple to adopt.Users can benefit from the large digital displays. The system is scalable, starting with the main MLCP and potentially expanding to other student-designated parking areas. It aligns perfectly with the vision of a "Smart Campus," leveraging simple technology to solve a tangible, daily problem and improving the quality of student life.

Who Will Get Benefited

  • Students (especially commuters arriving for the 10 AM-12 PM peak class schedule)

  • University Administration (by improving campus logistics and student experience)

  • The Environment (through reduced fuel wastage)

Call for Feedback

I believe this idea can solve a real, daily frustration for many of us. As I develop this concept for the Lean Startup course, your feedback is essential.

What is the biggest potential flaw or challenge you see in implementing this system on our campus? I'm looking for honest, critical feedback.

 

Votes: 23
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Comments

  • This is such a relatable and well-thought-out idea! Parking chaos is a daily struggle, and this solution actually feels practical - not over-engineered. I like how it combines simplicity with real impact - saving time, fuel, and sanity Would love to see a pilot in the MLCP soon - could genuinely make campus mornings smoother for everyone
  • I really like how this idea makes parking less chaotic. But what if people still enter the MLCP even when it shows ‘FULL’? There could be a barrier or alert system that actually stops cars from going in, otherwise it might still get jammed at the entrance.
  • ParkSmart MU goes beyond convenience; it can generate powerful data about parking patterns and traffic flow over time. That said, a big challenge will be ensuring that this data is actually used — perhaps by the university to optimize class schedules, or plan future parking expansions. Without a data strategy, the system risks becoming just a digital display rather than a decision-making tool.
  • Running power and network lines to every sensor can be difficult in an existing MLCP setup. Exploring wireless, battery-powered, or solar-assisted sensors could simplify installation and reduce infrastructure costs.
  • Securing university administration’s approval may be challenging without clear evidence of benefits. Presenting measurable data—such as reduced search time, lower emissions, and improved punctuality—through a small-scale pilot can demonstrate value and justify investment.
  • Since the system collects and transmits real-time parking data, it’s important to ensure data security and prevent unauthorized access. Implementing encrypted data transmission and secure server management will help maintain user trust and system integrity.
  • Ultrasonic sensors might misread partial parking or vehicles of different heights, causing false occupancy readings. Combining ultrasonic sensors with infrared or AI camera validation can significantly improve detection accuracy.
  • Implementing ultrasonic sensors above every parking slot may be expensive and require regular maintenance to ensure accuracy. Starting with a pilot implementation on one floor and involving university engineering or IoT students can help minimize costs and test long-term feasibility.
  • The system’s performance depends on real-time data transmission, which can be affected by network failures or signal delays. Using local microcontrollers or edge computing to process data on each floor can reduce latency and improve reliability.
  • Some drivers may ignore or distrust the display if it occasionally shows inaccurate data (e.g., “display says 5 slots free but all full”), leading to loss of user trust and reduced system usage. To overcome this, it’s crucial to ensure high accuracy (above 95%) through visible reliability testing during the early phase and enhance user confidence by integrating a mobile app or QR code display that provides real-time, verified parking information.
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