Assignments 8.3 and 9.3: Social Impacts

8.3. Social impact: identify any potential hazards in the proposed design, e.g., disposal after the useful life has ended

9.3. Social impact: provide solutions to eliminate hazards identified in Assignment 8.3, e.g., disposal after the useful life has ended

1. Accessibility

• Digital Divide: There may be a disparity in access to the technology for drivers without smartphones or those not tech-savvy enough to use the app or service designed to inform them of open parking spots.

• Solution: Implement electronic signs in the parking lot that also inform users of the spot so they do not have to use a phone to gain access to the parking lot information.

2. Economic Impacts

• Cost: The initial setup and maintenance costs might be high, potentially leading to increased parking fees that could disproportionately affect lower-income individuals.

• Solution: This system should target busy parking lots/garages that should already generate a lot of revenue, and the setup cost should not be extremely expensive, so the parking cost should not rise much or at all

3. Environmental Concerns

• Energy Consumption: The continuous operation of cameras and data processing centers requires electricity, contributing to energy consumption and associated carbon footprint.

• Waste Management: Once the system reaches the end of its useful life, disposing of the hardware presents environmental challenges. Electronic waste can be harmful if not properly recycled, releasing toxic substances into the environment.

• Solution: The system will use modern technology and equipment to lower energy consumption. Methods can be employed to lower energy consumption such as not actively running cameras but instead only turning them on when a driver needs information. Proper recycling of technology can help prevent electronic waste.