Please grade this business idea.

**biz123** · 11-25-2008 07:29 PM

Okay, I am reposting under a new title, so maybe I can get some replies.

Any replies would be much appreciated...

Did you ever wish you knew where that open curbside parking spot was? Here's a possible solution:

Install ip cameras overlooking as many curbside parking spots as possible. Have someone observe the parking spots through the cameras. If anyone wants to find a space quickly, they can just call the camera observer and he'd direct them to a parking spot. The observer can ask for their current location and give them the quickest route to the parking spot (my area has lots of one way streets). I noticed, where I am considering doing this, that, on average, spots stay open for around 4 minutes. What do you guys think of this business idea? Would you use this type of service or do you prefer circling around and getting lucky?

**armenh** · 11-25-2008 07:34 PM

Can't you just install sensors into the spot instead of using a IP cameras and multiple monitors to view the spots?

**biz123** · 11-25-2008 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by armenh

Can't you just install sensors into the spot instead of using a IP cameras and multiple monitors to view the spots?

I appreciate your reply.

Good point. But I found that they go for around $200-$300 per parking space. The ip cameras can be really cheap. With my idea is that you'd have to pay someone or some people to monitor the cameras and take calls. But if there is enough demand for something like this then it shouldn't be a problem hiring people to help me out.

**pcbres16** · 11-25-2008 08:37 PM

That sounds like it would require lots of capital to start up. YOu need to set up a network, hire monitors, telephone lines, not te mention pay people for it.

**biz123** · 11-25-2008 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by pcbres16

That sounds like it would require lots of capital to start up. YOu need to set up a network, hire monitors, telephone lines, not te mention pay people for it.

Thank you for your opinion.

The cameras don't need to be that expensive. I went to the top floor of one building, took a picture of the ground below with my cell phone camera, and the picture caught around 80 parking spaces. So the cameras can have really low resolution. IP cameras do not need any wires, you can access them online. I'd say $1,000 to $1,500 should be enough for the cameras and monitors just to get started. If there is a lot of demand for something like this, I can put more money into getting more cameras and thus being able to monitor more parking spaces. From the start I'd just focus on the most popular parking spaces.

**hugh009** · 11-25-2008 10:07 PM

Unfortunately we have got enough cameras already watching our every move in big cities particularly. My concern would be the BACKLASH you would get as another Big Brother watching.

Hugh

**KPatel** · 11-25-2008 10:08 PM

Forgive me if I'm missing something, or if this has been addressed.

I do think there's a fundamental problem/cost that you've failed to account for. Who's going to let you put up these cameras, and if you are even allowed to, how much will they charge?

It's a good idea, but I just don't think you could get a big enough margin after all overhead costs.

**biz123** · 11-25-2008 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by hugh009

Unfortunately we have got enough cameras already watching our every move in big cities particularly. My concern would be the BACKLASH you would get as another Big Brother watching.

Hugh

Hugh, thank you for your reply. I share your concern. And I have thought about this. But I would not be watching individuals, I would be watching hundreds of cars at the same time. If it does become an issue, some cameras come with privacy zones which block out whatever it is you don't want seen.

**biz123** · 11-25-2008 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by KPatel

Forgive me if I'm missing something, or if this has been addressed.

I do think there's a fundamental problem/cost that you've failed to account for. Who's going to let you put up these cameras, and if you are even allowed to, how much will they charge?

It's a good idea, but I just don't think you could get a big enough margin after all overhead costs.

Thank you for your reply. Yes, that would be another cost. I'd have to compensate people for putting cameras on their office windows. But, when all is said and done, I'm not looking for huge profit margins. If it ends up being profitable, great. I'm just a poor college student looking to get some real world experience. Although I know I'm going to have to at least break even.

**sukhjeet_vfusion** · 11-25-2008 11:25 PM

Sounds interesting, but I think there might be some privacy laws against it. Have you checked with your local municipal laws to see if this was feasible? I remember when the city put up cameras in the downtown core where I live, some citizens were not happy, some were. Your doing this as a private company, so there may be some legal aspects that you may have to look into. Also, for IP cameras, you need some sort of IP (Internet) connection and there may be cost to that. You'll have to advertise your service to get people to use it, which is another cost. Some other things to consider, if you become profitable, there will be copycats. Make an agreement with parking lots to make sure you are the only one, except for the city, to have exclusive monitoring to the lot. That's it for now...

Sukhjeet Singh
co-founder of The v-Fusion Group
The v-Fusion Group

**armenh** · 11-26-2008 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by biz123

I found that they go for around $200-$300 per parking space. The ip cameras can be really cheap. With my idea is that you'd have to pay someone or some people to monitor the cameras and take calls. But if there is enough demand for something like this then it shouldn't be a problem hiring people to help me out.

A local mall installed those, over in Glendale California and what it does is for every parking level it tells you how many spaces remain, so instead of a camera its just a sensor...I dont think each sensor cost them 200-300 dollars because they have maybe around 1200-2000 parking spaces in the whole garage, im sure they use another kind of technology.

**biz123** · 11-26-2008 12:05 PM

Originally Posted by sukhjeet_vfusion

Sounds interesting, but I think there might be some privacy laws against it. Have you checked with your local municipal laws to see if this was feasible? I remember when the city put up cameras in the downtown core where I live, some citizens were not happy, some were. Your doing this as a private company, so there may be some legal aspects that you may have to look into. Also, for IP cameras, you need some sort of IP (Internet) connection and there may be cost to that. You'll have to advertise your service to get people to use it, which is another cost. Some other things to consider, if you become profitable, there will be copycats. Make an agreement with parking lots to make sure you are the only one, except for the city, to have exclusive monitoring to the lot. That's it for now...

Sukhjeet Singh
co-founder of The v-Fusion Group
The v-Fusion Group

Originally Posted by armenh

A local mall installed those, over in Glendale California and what it does is for every parking level it tells you how many spaces remain, so instead of a camera its just a sensor...I dont think each sensor cost them 200-300 dollars because they have maybe around 1200-2000 parking spaces in the whole garage, im sure they use another kind of technology.

Sukhjeet and armenh, thank you for your responses. There are wireless ip cameras out there, so that shouldn't be an issue. You can't really be afraid of copy-cats. There will always be competition. Yes, I have to to check the legality of this.

Armenh, I'd be looking at curbside parking spaces scattered throughout, not in a parking garage where there are already parking finder systems in place.

**jimjim89** · 11-26-2008 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by biz123

Okay, I am reposting under a new title, so maybe I can get some replies.

Any replies would be much appreciated...

Did you ever wish you knew where that open curbside parking spot was? Here's a possible solution:

Install ip cameras overlooking as many curbside parking spots as possible. Have someone observe the parking spots through the cameras. If anyone wants to find a space quickly, they can just call the camera observer and he'd direct them to a parking spot. The observer can ask for their current location and give them the quickest route to the parking spot (my area has lots of one way streets). I noticed, where I am considering doing this, that, on average, spots stay open for around 4 minutes. What do you guys think of this business idea? Would you use this type of service or do you prefer circling around and getting lucky?

The mind is where this idea should stay. I can't see anyone paying to ask where the nearest parking spot is. If you could use GPS instead of cameras then I think you'd have a better proposition

**BC SEO Guy** · 11-26-2008 04:55 PM

sounds like the people paying for this service would be the parking lot owners. So how does this put more money in their pockets? Sounds like it would be another expense for them - I doubt the cost would justify it.

**biz123** · 11-26-2008 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by jimjim89

The mind is where this idea should stay. I can't see anyone paying to ask where the nearest parking spot is. If you could use GPS instead of cameras then I think you'd have a better proposition

Thank you for your opinion. Would you consider real time text message updates of where the curbside parking spots are?

The place where I'm thinking of doing this has 98-99% of the curbside spots full at all times.