ParkNet

This paper describes the architecture and design of ParkNet, a mobile sensor network consisting of vehicles, which collects and disseminates real-time information about the availability of parking spaces in urban areas. We outline the broad challenges in real-time data collection and consumption by a mobile sensor network, as well as the design issues specific to ParkNet. Sensor nodes in ParkNet are a combination of privately owned and city owned vehicles and employ low cost ultrasonic sensors to detect the presence of vacant parking spots as they drive by. We present early results on the performance of our sensor platform.