Interviews structure

Los Andes Parking App Analysis

Introduction and Context The purpose of these questions is to gather basic information about the interviewee and their experience with parking at Universidad de los Andes. My name is Felipe Nuñez, I am a student of the Computer Science major, now in my 9th semester. The purpose of this interview is to obtain an opinion from you in the matter of the parking situation in Los Andes University. To start could you please answer the following questions? And may I record your responses?

yes!

• What is your name? My name is Daniela Sanchez.
• Are you a student, faculty member, or staff at Universidad de los Andes? Yes, I am a seventh semester student from Business Administration here at Universidad de los Andes.
• Do you regularly drive to campus? Not that much, I actually drive one or two times a week

Exploring the Problem These questions will help clarify the relationship between the parking problem and the interviewee, understand their behavior and feelings about the situation, and gain insight into how it affects them.

• Can you describe your typical process for finding a parking spot on campus? Yes, there is like a bunch of problems in that situation, for example if I get there like over 6am I usually don't find like the right spot because they are all full. Also the ... also like the price because some of them are really high, for example in the building of santo Domingo there the prices are high and usually like the surrounding areas of the campus.

• How much time do you usually spend looking for parking?

Well as i said before it depends in the hour but usually like 15 minutes.

• Have you ever been late to class or a meeting due to parking issues?

Yes, specially in the surrounding areas of the campis they are usually very very full over 6 am so sometimes i get late to class.

• What are your main frustrations with the current parking situation at Los Andes?

Ah yes, again, like the prices are really high and there's usually not much space, due to all the students who bring their cars everyday.

• Are you aware of any existing parking management systems at the university? If so, what are your thoughts on their effectiveness?

mmm no, not really, like no.

• Have you ever considered alternative transportation methods due to parking difficulties? Why or why not?

that's actually the reason why I don't use my car personally, because i would rather go in other persons cars for example in wheels or in wagon because that way I can reduce my time searching for parking spots and everything related to that.

Current Solutions

• What strategies do you currently use to manage parking at Los Andes?

Well i have heard, for example you can pay a certain amount of money in a month, like prepared, and that's the only one that I know.

• Do you feel that the current parking solutions available are adequate? Why or why not?

Well i think the issue is not having spaces for all the cars and sometimes I don't have like the amount of money required and so I cant afford to pay for that.

Exploring Potential Solutions The purpose of these questions is to explore whether the interviewee is interested in a parking app solution and if they would use it.

• Do you believe that a parking app for Los Andes could significantly improve the parking situation on campus? Why or why not?

yes, under some considerations, they would have to consider not few but all the available options of parking areas and that way it could be optimized. But i think its a really good idea actually.

• What features would you find most useful in a parking app for the university? (e.g., real-time availability, reservation system, payment integration)

yes, now that i remember that is also a problem, when i am about to pay for the parking there are usually very long lines of other students doing the same and that worsens the situation of time management. So i would recommend for the app the reservation system (Daily), where I can choose if i will or not pay for the parking spot. The option I would like to have is to choose in which of all the parking spots I would like to reserve.

• Would you be willing to pay a small fee to use a parking app if it guaranteed you a spot?

mmm yes, I would like to know like the exact amount but i would say yes because of time management.

• What would be like a coherent fee?

It depends, monthly, annually, or like weekly.

• It could be like a subscription or per reservation fee...

Well lets say that you charge 1.500 pesos daily, that would give you monthly around 45.000 pesos. I think that's a viable strategy ... pricing strategy. Around that.

• How would you prefer to receive updates about parking availability? (e.g., push notifications, email, SMS)

Yes, yes. I would like that feature as well, the option to see live availability at every hour.

• Do you have any concerns about using a parking app? (e.g., privacy, reliability, ease of use)

Yes, I just get to question myself of the reliability, since security and privacy i don't mind. But reliability like how would you manage that, since that is like a really very quick it would have to be quick and efficient to have that like movements in every hour. How would you manage that like sensors or personal. I would just like to be sure that i will have that space for me.

Closing Express gratitude to the interviewee for their time and contributions. Ask if they have any additional thoughts or suggestions regarding the parking situation at Los Andes.

Not really, i think i already answered. But to sum up, have a very efficient system to guarantee the client the spot. Second, to have the options of all around the area, not surrounding only city U but like tadeo and all. To have like the entire options. Thanks for inviting me.

Link to Interview:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VN84bdNxZj6TZhcjNG_FbBSJ2CcEho_d?usp=sharing

Insights Found:

1. Importance of reliability: Daniela believes that any solution to this problem must be very reliable. She doesn't want to be promised a parking spot and be left of her own. Also, if she is checking the availability of spots in one parking spot she wants to have real time data that is updated to the minute. This highlights an importance of reliability and consistency of data in the application if to be created.

2. Prices are already high: Daniela thinks the prices for the parking spots by themselves are already very expensive and mentions this even is a case of why she rather takes wheels or wagon as her most vastly used methods of transportation. If the app was to be created the way to charge for the service would have to be well thought since the monetization would like be oriented to extra charges of something which seems to be already expensive enough.

3. Accessibility and Speed: Along with the time to find a spot to park Daniela also believes the lines to pay are very long. Giving speed and accessibility to park with mechanisms as automatic payment would be welcomed as they would reduce the time spent on the activity of parking.

4. Market Size: Some people like Daniela might have already been persuaded to look at different solutions to the problem that relinquish her from the issue of even parking like Wagon or Wheels. Many people might have been persuaded by these solutions and might not be willing to bring car to the university due to their previous experiences on this crisis. There would need to be some ways to persuade these people to use the app and be welcomed to park without issues.

Situations following the "What", "How", "Why" methodology

Long lines in the parking spot:

Aspect	Description
What	A long queue of vehicles snakes through the university's main parking lot. Cars of various makes and models inch forward slowly, their drivers visibly frustrated. Some vehicles are pulled over to the side, hazard lights blinking, as their occupants scan for any opening spots. The air is thick with exhaust fumes, and the sound of idling engines fills the area. Parking attendants in high-visibility vests gesture frantically, trying to direct traffic and maintain order.
How	Drivers exhibit a range of emotions, from resigned boredom to barely contained anger. Some drum their fingers on steering wheels, while others crane their necks, desperately seeking any sign of a departing car. A few students have exited their vehicles, pacing nervously beside them or conferring with friends in nearby cars. The overall atmosphere is tense and chaotic, with occasional honks punctuating the low rumble of engines.
Why	This scenario likely stems from a perfect storm of factors: an oversubscribed student population, limited parking infrastructure, and the allure of conveniently located spots. The university may have expanded its enrollment without a corresponding increase in parking facilities. Additionally, many students and staff prefer to drive, either due to inadequate public transportation options or the desire for personal convenience. The most sought-after spots, closest to key buildings or sheltered from the elements, create bottlenecks as drivers compete for these premium locations.
Who	The individuals caught in this parking predicament represent a cross-section of the university community. They include sleep-deprived undergraduates rushing to make morning lectures, graduate students juggling research and teaching responsibilities, faculty members carrying stacks of papers to grade, and administrative staff trying to start their workday. Some may be commuters traveling long distances, while others are on-campus residents who use their cars for off-campus jobs or errands. The common thread is their reliance on personal vehicles and their willingness to endure the daily struggle for parking in exchange for the perceived benefits of having a car on campus.

Student Late to Class Due to Parking Issues:

Aspect	Description
What	A visibly stressed student, Alex, rushes into the lecture hall 5 minutes after class has started. His hair is disheveled, and he's slightly out of breath. He's carrying a heavy backpack and fumbling with his laptop as he tries to find an open seat. The professor pauses mid-sentence, and other students turn to look at the late arrival. Alex's face is flushed with embarrassment as he quietly apologizes and slides into an available chair near the back of the room.
How	Alex's body language radiates anxiety and frustration. He's hunched over slightly, trying to make himself less noticeable as he settles into his seat. His eyes dart around nervously, noting the disapproving glance from the professor and the curious looks from his peers. As he pulls out his notebook, his hands are shaking slightly, and he's breathing heavily from his rush across campus. Throughout the lecture, he appears distracted and struggles to focus, still rattled by his stressful morning.
Why	Alex's tardiness is a direct result of the parking crisis on campus. He attempted to park in three different locations: his preferred lot near the Computer Science building, the central campus garage, and finally a remote lot on the outskirts of campus. Each attempt was met with full lots or long queues, forcing him to spend precious time searching for a spot. The university's limited parking infrastructure, combined with Alex's reliance on his car for commuting, created a perfect storm that led to his late arrival.
Who	Alex is a junior majoring in Computer Science. He's typically a diligent student who takes his studies seriously, making this late arrival particularly distressing for him. As a commuter student living off-campus, he relies on his car to get to class each day. Alex represents a large portion of the student body who struggle with the daily challenge of finding parking, balancing their academic responsibilities with the practical realities of campus life. His situation highlights the broader issue of how inadequate infrastructure can directly impact student performance and stress levels.

Long Line at Parking Payment Station:

Aspect	Description
What	Tomas stands in a long, winding queue at the parking payment station. The line stretches far beyond the shelter of the payment kiosk, exposing waiting students to the elements. The payment machines are old and slow, occasionally malfunctioning. Some students are fumbling with cash or cards, while others are arguing with the machines. The exit gate is visible from the queue, tantalizing those waiting with the promise of freedom, yet seeming impossibly far away.
How	Tomas's posture reflects his exhaustion; he's leaning against a nearby wall, his backpack at his feet. His eyes are heavy-lidded, and he keeps checking his watch and sighing deeply. Around him, other students show various signs of frustration: tapping feet, crossed arms, and occasional outbursts of irritation. The atmosphere is tense, with a shared sense of collective annoyance. Some students are attempting to study or catch up on phone calls while waiting, but most just stare blankly ahead, willing the line to move faster.
Why	This bottleneck is occurring due to a perfect storm of factors. The 5 PM rush represents the busiest time for departures as numerous classes end simultaneously. The parking payment system is outdated and not designed to handle such a high volume of transactions in a short time. Additionally, the university may have underestimated the need for multiple payment stations or failed to implement more efficient technologies like mobile payments or automatic toll systems. The situation is exacerbated by tired students who are slower to process payments after a long day of classes.
Who	Tomas is a graduate student who's just finished a grueling day of research and teaching assistant duties. He represents a diverse group of individuals caught in this end-of-day rush: undergraduate students hurrying to part-time jobs or evening commitments, faculty members eager to get home to their families, and staff wrapping up their workday. Many are commuters who rely on their vehicles and have no choice but to endure this daily ordeal. The crowd is a mix of regular commuters who anticipated this delay and newcomers who are shocked by the inefficiency, all united in their desire to leave campus as quickly as possible.

Missing Out on Parking Membership:

Aspect	Description
What	Daniela sits at her computer, frantically refreshing the university's parking services webpage. The clock on her screen shows 11:59 PM, just one minute before the parking membership sale begins. As the clock strikes midnight, she quickly fills out the online form, her fingers flying over the keyboard. However, when she clicks "Submit," a message appears: "We're sorry, but all parking memberships have been sold. Please try again next semester." Daniela's face falls as she realizes the implications of this message for her upcoming semester.
How	Daniela's body language shifts dramatically as the situation unfolds. Initially, she sits upright, alert and poised to act. Her eyes are wide and focused intently on the screen, reflecting the blue glow of the monitor. As she types, there's a sense of urgency in her movements. When the error message appears, her shoulders slump and she leans back in her chair, running her hands through her hair in frustration. She stares at the screen in disbelief for a few moments before closing her laptop with a resigned sigh.
Why	This scenario stems from a severe imbalance between supply and demand for convenient parking on campus. The university likely implemented the membership system as an attempt to manage overwhelming demand, but the limited number of spots available means many students will inevitably be left out. The competitive nature of the process, where memberships are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, adds significant stress to students' lives. For Daniela, securing a membership was crucial for managing her complex schedule, and missing out means she'll face daily uncertainty and potential delays throughout the semester.
Who	Daniela is a senior undergraduate student balancing a heavy course load with a part-time internship off-campus. She commutes to university daily and relies on her car to manage her tight schedule. Daniela represents a large group of students who live off-campus or have off-site commitments, making reliable parking crucial to their academic and professional success. Her situation is particularly stressful because, as a senior, she has important classes and deadlines this semester that she can't afford to miss due to parking issues. Daniela and students like her feel that their academic performance and overall well-being are jeopardized by the university's inability to provide adequate parking solutions.