Campus, News

ParkFindr app introduced to CSULB

The creators of a new, free app called ParkFindr may have found a possible solution for the parking problem at California State University, Long Beach.

During the Associated Students Inc. senate meeting Wednesday, the creators of ParkFindr presented their solution to the overcrowding lots on campus.

CSULB would be the first of the 23 California State Universities to have the app if ParkFindr is allowed to be installed on campus. Having ParkFindr at CSULB would mark the product’s first trial run.

“Our idea will bring parking to your smartphone,” said Gadier Uriate, co-founder of ParkFindr, during his presentation to the senate.

Sensors would be placed on each of the entrances of the parking lots or structures and act as a gate. The sensors would be able to count how many vehicles have left the parking lot or structures and show the app users the number of spaces available.

“Geofencing detects people through their phone on GPS to let others know they are in the area,” Uriate said.

The app is combined with sensor technology and computer technology which would allow students to know what parking lots have available parking and which ones are full.

“The app is free to the school and [the] students,” ParkFindr co-founder Fabian Aoun said. “If after a year it has added no value to the school, then there is no charge [to students and CSULB].”

The app would also be able to let users know how many potential parking spots are available by counting how many people have entered the parking lot or structure, if they are connected to the wireless internet on campus.

“The hardware is minimal,” ParkFindr co-founder Dennis Chiang said. “One entrance and one exit will have sensors, making it economical.”

The parking lots and structures would be colored based on availability. If a parking lot or structure were full, the lot would appear red on the user’s screen. A lot that is colored yellow indicates there are a few potential spots available and when a lot is colored green it indicates many spots available.

The app is essentially hands-free because it will verbally tell drivers how many spots are available in certain lots and structures, Uriate said.

Depending on the app’s success with the school and students after the free trial is over, the app could potentially cost a dollar.

“Maybe we can even figure something out with the parking department and charge it through the parking permit,” Uriate said.

The founders said it could take 60 to 90 days for all the hardware and sensors to be installed in all of the parking lots and structures on campus.

Although the app is only available on Android-based devices right now, it could be available through the Apple store in the next couple of weeks if CSULB agrees to the app, Aoun said.

The founders of the app said that they know it could be successful and helpful to CSULB if the Parking and Transportation Committee finds it necessary to combat the parking problem.

“All we need [for installation] is a yes and Wi-Fi access,” Chiang said.

Parking and Transportation will meet next month to discuss the implementation of the app at CSULB.

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