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Name: Karen Martinez
School name: University of Texas at Dallas

How can Artificial Intelligence be Leveraged in the Airport Parking Industry?

In order to improve customer service and operational efficiency in the airport parking industry, artificial intelligence can be utilized in a number of ways. From targeted parking systems to predicting demand for parking and analyzing consumer behaviors, these new operating systems are meant to serve as a resourceful tool and as an innovative customer satisfaction improvement. For example, AI can be used to develop more sophisticated parking guidance systems that can direct drivers to available parking spaces in real-time. This can help to reduce congestion and improve the overall flow of traffic in and around airports. This could work by using sensors to detect available parking spaces and then directing drivers to those spaces via a real-time navigation system. This would allow drivers to avoid circling around looking for a space, which would help to reduce congestion and improve the flow of traffic. This navigation system could directly be found in the airports' already existing mobile application. Many new or frequent passengers already have the airport’s downloaded application to easily book airfare tickets and to easily find out when their gate opens. So, an additional navigation system embedded into an already existing app will help consumers improve traffic flow and remove the hassle of downloading an additional navigation system that can only be used at an airport.

Another way AI could be used in the airport parking industry is to develop a system that can automatically identify and ticket vehicles that are parked in unauthorized areas. This would free up staff resources that are currently used for patrols and allow them to be used for other tasks. This system could be put in place by installing cameras in the parking lot and using AI to analyze the footage to identify vehicles that are parked in unauthorized areas. Another way that this artificial intelligence system can be implemented is by using self-rechargeable or solar rechargeable autonomous robots. These robots can replace patrol vehicles, follow a direct path, and scan and ticket vehicles that are illegally parked, completely replacing the need for a human to be trained and manually cite tickets to each and every illegally parked vehicle.

AI can also be used to power automated payment systems that can make it quicker and easier for customers to pay for their parking. This can help to reduce queues and improve customer satisfaction. Once again, through the airports' mobile application, could a system like this best work efficiently. In order to implement such a system, the parking garage would need to be equipped with sensors and cameras that could automatically detect and identify vehicles as they enter and exit. These sensors and cameras would then be connected to a payment processing system that would use AI to identify the appropriate payment for each vehicle. This system could then automatically process the payment and provide a receipt to each customer. This specific type of technology is beginning to be used as a form of self-checkout in various grocery stores across the country; therefore, the use of this technology is likely to continue to be a major part of the consumer experience.

Overall, AI can be used to help improve airport parking facilities and the customer experience. By analyzing customer data, airport authorities can better understand parking preferences and behaviors. This information can then be used to create or improve the designs of future parking facilities. Additionally, AI can be used to help manage parking operations more efficiently and to help resolve any issues that may arise. By thinking ahead and utilizing these tools, we can continue to improve the airport parking sector.