A Discrete-Event Simulation Approach to Assess the Benefits of Parking Technologies in Hospitals

Abstract

As essential service providers, hospitals receive a large quantity of traffic every day. The deficiency in hospital parking facilities causes drivers to spend more time getting a parking spot, causing delays for patients and physicians. We develop and validate discrete-event simulation models upon other parking configurations in a Saudi Arabian hospital to assess smart parking benefits. We find that technology implementations are not advantageous for condensed parking areas. Our results indicate that the improvements in drivers' time will depend on the various factors of the parking configuration and aspects such as the car arrival rate, car flow, and parking visibility.