Projects

Using AI & Interactive Maps to Simplify Parking at UMD to Cut Fines and Boost Accessibility

Project overview

DotSpots is an AI-powered, real-time parking solution designed to simplify UMD’s complex parking system for both administrators and users.

It enables admins to quickly push updates to permits and rules, while giving users instant guidance through an AI chatbot and interactive maps to navigate parking, avoid fines, and buy permits with confidence.

MY ROLE

Led research, concept development, design and front-end development

TEAM

2 product designer, 2 Engineers

The Impact

Rule clarity rate

Users correctly interpreted parking rules without assistance.

Rule clarity rate

Users correctly interpreted parking rules without assistance.

Rule clarity rate

Praised for speed, clarity, and collaboration.

Rule clarity rate

Users correctly interpreted parking rules without assistance.

<0min

Time to first value

Users found a valid parking spot quickly after opening the app.

<0min

Time to first value

Users found a valid parking spot quickly after opening the app.

<0min

Time to first value

Users found a valid parking spot quickly after opening the app.

<0min

Time to first value

Users found a valid parking spot quickly after opening the app.

0.0/5

Confidence score

Users felt confident choosing a parking spot.

0.0/5

Confidence score

Users felt confident choosing a parking spot.

0.0/5

Confidence score

Users felt confident choosing a parking spot.

0.0/5

Confidence score

Users felt confident choosing a parking spot.

Admin overhead

Fewer manual checks and disputes.

Admin overhead

Fewer manual checks and disputes.

Admin overhead

Fewer manual checks and disputes.

Admin overhead

Fewer manual checks and disputes.

The Problem

At the University of Maryland, over 50 parking zones and 78+ permit types create a fragmented system that confuses users and overwhelms administrators.

🪪 78+

Permits

Too many permit types cause confusion, making it unclear where users are allowed to park.

🪪 78+

Permits

Too many permit types cause confusion, making it unclear where users are allowed to park.

🪪 78+

Permits

Too many permit types cause confusion, making it unclear where users are allowed to park.

🪪 78+

Permits

Too many permit types cause confusion, making it unclear where users are allowed to park.

🅿️ 50

Parking Areas

Dozens of zones with varying rules add complexity and inconsistency across campus.

🅿️ 50

Parking Areas

Dozens of zones with varying rules add complexity and inconsistency across campus.

🅿️ 50

Parking Areas

Dozens of zones with varying rules add complexity and inconsistency across campus.

🅿️ 50

Parking Areas

Dozens of zones with varying rules add complexity and inconsistency across campus.

🔄

Constant Changes

Events and construction frequently override normal rules, leaving users uncertain.

🔄

Constant Changes

Events and construction frequently override normal rules, leaving users uncertain.

🔄

Constant Changes

Events and construction frequently override normal rules, leaving users uncertain.

🔄

Constant Changes

Events and construction frequently override normal rules, leaving users uncertain.

🗂️

Admin Burden

Administrators struggle to update rules in real time and can’t manually resolve the high volume of complaints efficiently.

🗂️

Admin Burden

Administrators struggle to update rules in real time and can’t manually resolve the high volume of complaints efficiently.

🗂️

Admin Burden

Administrators struggle to update rules in real time and can’t manually resolve the high volume of complaints efficiently.

🗂️

Admin Burden

Administrators struggle to update rules in real time and can’t manually resolve the high volume of complaints efficiently.

Without a clear, reliable way to navigate permits and changing rules, users face confusion, costly violations, and reduced campus mobility.

THE SOLUTION

Pain Point #1

Drivers struggle to understand where they can park and which rules or permits apply, leading to confusion and frequent violations.

How DotSpots Helps

The map instantly shows whether a lot is valid for the user’s permit, along with clear reasons and enforcement timing. If a lot isn’t allowed, nearby eligible options are highlighted so drivers can quickly choose where to park without risking a fine.

Pain Point #2

Drivers reach a parking lot only to realize they’re not allowed to park there and don’t know where to go next.

How DotSpots Helps

When a lot isn’t eligible, the app highlights nearby valid parking options and helps the driver navigate to the closest available lot, reducing guesswork and unnecessary circling.

Pain Point #3

Drivers struggle to get quick answers, resolve issues, or buy permits without navigating multiple systems.

How DotSpots Helps

An AI assistant understands natural language and helps users instantly, answering questions, clarifying rules, and guiding them through permit purchases or payments in a single conversation.

Pain Point #4

Drivers aren’t aware of sudden changes to parking rules, lots, or permits until they’re already affected.

How DotSpots Helps

The app sends real-time notifications when parking rules change and suggests nearby valid lots based on the user’s location, helping them quickly adjust without confusion or fines.

Admin side | Pain Point

Parking administrators are overwhelmed with repetitive requests like permit transfers, refunds, and event overrides. Manual handling slows operations, increases errors, and limits time for higher-impact work.

How DotSpots Helps

DotSpots uses AI to streamline request resolution and rule management. Admins can conversationally add or remove rules, create event overrides, and auto-resolve common requests with real-time updates and notifications handled instantly by the system.

Admin side working prototype - Mobile app & the dashboard

And that's a wrap!