Parkade Solving Urban Parking Challenges Through Innovation

Parkade is a pioneering solution to the pervasive issue of parking scarcity in urban and suburban areas. By connecting parking space owners with drivers in need, Parkade aims to streamline the parking experience, making it both convenient and cost-effective.

Our team of four interaction design students developed this mobile app to address the significant time, money, and environmental costs associated with finding parking spaces in congested areas. The emergence of the sharing economy has prompted the need for innovative parking solutions, reflecting a growing demand for alternatives to traditional parking options.

"Canadian drivers spend an average of 20 minutes searching for parking spots."

Is finding Parking Space really a problem?

Prolonged search for parking contributes to traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, with estimates suggesting that up to 30% of urban traffic is caused by drivers seeking parking. This leads to several critical issues:

User Research Insights

To further understand the problem, we conducted in-depth interviews with 20 participants who frequently struggle with parking.

Problem Statement

A car owner needs to find a reliable and affordable parking space because finding parking feels difficult due to the lack of adequate space available and is looking for a way to find a spot conveniently and quickly.

Our goal is to provide a seamless and efficient platform that connects drivers with available parking spaces, reducing the time and cost associated with finding parking.

User Flow

Our design process focused on creating an intuitive, efficient experience for both parking space owners and drivers seeking spaces.

Key Design Considerations

• Map-centered interface for intuitive location discovery
• Clear space information including price, availability, and amenities
• Streamlined booking and payment process
• Rating and review system to build trust in the marketplace
• Flexible search filters for customized parking needs

Parkade offers a comprehensive solution for urban parking challenges, connecting space owners with drivers through an intuitive mobile app.

While Parkade was developed as a student project, our research and design process validated the significant need for innovative parking solutions in urban areas.

Key Takeaways

• Urban parking is a significant pain point that affects millions of drivers daily
• Sharing economy models can effectively address the underutilization of private parking spaces
• Real-time availability information is crucial for reducing parking-related stress
• Trust mechanisms are essential for marketplace platforms dealing with physical spaces

Environmental Impact

Beyond convenience and cost savings, Parkade has the potential to make a meaningful environmental impact by reducing the time cars spend idling and circling for parking spaces. Studies suggest that reducing parking search time by even 5 minutes per driver could significantly lower carbon emissions in urban areas.

"Finding parking has always been my biggest headache when going downtown. Parkade would completely change that experience by letting me book a guaranteed space before I even leave home."