Part 1: Parking Buddy — User Stories

Your Neighborhood’s Parking Partner

The Story

It all started one evening, just like any other, as I was returning home with my family after a relaxing day out. I dropped them off near our building and set out to do what I’d become all too familiar with — searching for a parking spot.

After a frustrating 30 minutes and circling several blocks, I finally found a space far from our apartment. That walk back got me thinking: why was finding a parking spot such a time-consuming and unpredictable ordeal?

Like many others, I’d scoured the app stores for a solution, something that could make parking easier, especially in my neighborhood. I wanted something that didn’t just focus on paid parking lots or distant garages but helped people in their everyday spaces. But I couldn’t find a tool that worked for this specific need, something that could reliably tell me where to find parking in real-time, right where I live.

That night, I decided to take on the challenge myself. What if I could create a network of small, unobtrusive devices to monitor and communicate parking availability in real-time? A system that could become a trustworthy guide for finding parking spots in neighborhoods and around familiar places, where it’s needed most. And so, “Your Neighborhood’s Parking Partner” was born.

I collaborated with ChatGPT, brainstorming and mapping out a plan for this project, refining each detail from the IoT devices to the user interface. The goal became clear:

To build a product that not only helps people find parking easily but becomes an essential part of the neighborhood itself, blending seamlessly with community needs.

This project is still a personal endeavor, designed as a solution I’d use daily and something I believe others will find indispensable. While it’s not affiliated with any company or startup, I hope that it will become a reliable “parking partner” for all of us who just want to make parking a little bit easier and a lot less stressful.

Core User Stories

User Stories: End-User (Parking Seeker)

1. As a user, I want to view available parking spots near my location to find a spot quickly.
2. As a user, I want to see detailed information about each parking spot (size, type, availability), so I can choose a spot that suits my vehicle and needs.
3. As a user, I want to set up notifications for when a spot becomes available near a location I frequently park, so I don’t have to constantly check the app.
4. As a user, I want to mark specific parking spots or areas as favorites, so I can easily monitor their availability.
5. As a user, I want to be able to navigate directly to an available parking spot, so I can reach it without delay.
6. As a user, I want to receive real-time updates if a parking spot I’m navigating to becomes unavailable, so I can adjust my plans.
7. As a user, I want to provide feedback on parking spots (e.g., ease of access, lighting), so I can help improve the system’s reliability and user experience.

User Stories: Parking Spot

1. As a parking spot, I want to detect whether I am occupied or free, so I can provide real-time availability information.
2. As a parking spot, I want to update my status automatically when occupancy changes, so users can rely on accurate, up-to-date data.
3. As a parking spot, I want to track the length of time I am occupied or free, so the system can analyze usage patterns.
4. As a parking spot, I want to notify the system if I detect an unusual condition (e.g., a malfunctioning sensor), so it can be addressed promptly.
5. As a parking spot, I want to be able to restrict my availability status to authorized vehicles or certain times, so I can accommodate special conditions if needed.

User Stories: IoT Device

1. As an IoT device, I want to accurately detect vehicle presence using sensors, so I can monitor parking spot occupancy.
2. As an IoT device, I want to send regular updates to the backend system with my current status, so the system always has real-time data.
3. As an IoT device, I want to send a health check status to the system periodically, so my connectivity and functionality can be monitored.
4. As an IoT device, I want to manage my power consumption efficiently (e.g., by going into low-power mode when idle), so I can operate for extended periods.
5. As an IoT device, I want to securely authenticate with the central system upon connection, so that data is transmitted only to authorized sources.
6. As an IoT device, I want to store data temporarily if connectivity to the system is lost, so I can resend data when the connection is restored.

User Stories: Admin User

1. As an admin user, I want to add, update, or remove parking spots in the system, so I can manage the parking infrastructure efficiently.
2. As an admin user, I want to view real-time data for each parking spot (e.g., availability, device health), so I can monitor system performance.
3. As an admin user, I want to set up or modify user notifications, so users can receive relevant updates on parking availability.
4. As an admin user, I want to access analytics and reports on parking usage patterns, so I can make data-driven decisions for future planning.
5. As an admin user, I want to view and resolve system alerts related to device malfunction or connectivity issues, so I can ensure system reliability.
6. As an admin user, I want to manage user permissions and roles, so I can control access to system features based on job function.
7. As an admin user, I want to manually override a parking spot’s availability status if necessary, so I can correct errors or handle special circumstances.

User Stories: Authentication

1. As a user, I want to register for an account, so I can save my preferences and receive notifications.
2. As a user, I want to securely log in to the system, so I can access my profile and view parking availability.
3. As a user, I want to log out of the system, so I can secure my account when I’m not using it.
4. As a user, I want to reset my password if I forget it, so I can regain access to my account.
5. As an admin, I want to manage user authentication settings, so I can enforce security policies like strong passwords or 2FA.

In Part 2 we will dive into the Development Phases.