DEVELOPING MOBILE PARKING APPS TO REDUCE CONGESTION IN THE MALL

Abstract

In urban areas, the presence of a large number of vehicles is a common problem, driven by the preference of middle and upper-middle-class individuals to reside in cities due to job opportunities and improved infrastructure. As a result, the demand for convenient shopping options has led people to choose malls over traditional markets. With the increasing number of women acquiring driving skills, cars have become the preferred mode of transportation to malls. However, certain challenges arise, such as the inconvenience of parking far away from the mall entrance, particularly for women wearing attire unsuitable for walking long distances. Additionally, the burden of carrying heavy bags can further discourage extensive shopping. To address these issues, some malls have introduced ladies parking, strategically located near the mall entrance to facilitate easier access for women. However, the lack of awareness and understanding regarding these ladies parking features in mobile parking apps contributes to the perpetuation of discriminatory perceptions. Furthermore, societal attitudes and prevailing mindsets hinder the widespread adoption and utilization of ladies parking features, impeding efforts to ensure equal access and convenience for women in mall environments. To address these challenges, this research aims to develop a mobile application that informs users about the availability of ladies parking

in different malls, thereby enhancing convenience and facilitating informed decision- making for women drivers.