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Easier Parking Equals Better Air?
posted by: Nancy Roberts 12 hours ago
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Parking just got easier for some San Francisco drivers, as a new program combines high tech data with flexible parking pricing to take the stress out of taking the car downtown. The SFPark program's motto, "Circle Less. Live more", refers to the estimate that one-third of city driving is caused by drivers circling in search of parking. This means a prodigious amount of stress, wasted gas and excess emissions in the atmosphere.
The new system includes:
SFPark is in a federally-funded pilot phase through mid 2012, affecting 5,500 of San Francisco's 26,000 metered spaces and 12,250 spaces in 14 of 20 City-owned parking garages.
Demand-Based Parking Rates
Another feature of the program is demand-based pricing. The cost of parking will be automatically adjusted depending on demand, with rates adjusted block by block with a goal of having at least one spot available at any time on a given block. Officials anticipate the price of parking in a space could fluctuate from 25 cents to $6.00 per hour. Rates for special events, such as popular sports matches, may reach as high as $18 in the future. The sfPark website states that rates will be changed up or down no more than once a month and by no more than 50 cents an hour.
Will Easier Parking Really Mean Less Pollution?
Stated goals of the program include making parking easier, increasing traffic to local businesses and cutting down on unsafe double parking; the effect of the program on parking revenues to the City is not yet proved. Another supposed benefit of the program is that less circling means less gas burning, which means cleaner air. While this sounds good in theory, it is just possible that taking the stress out of parking may mean more people drive into and around the city, spewing more carbon into the air. There are other measures that could result in fewer cars in busy downtown areas, such as the congestion fees as implemented in London and Singapore, which charge a fee for any vehicle entering the downtown area at busy times of day. A congestion fee has been under consideration for San Francisco for some time but there is strong resistance from some in the business community and the proposed congestion fee is still awaiting local and state legislative approval.
The new system includes:
- A network of sensors embedded in parking spaces that records and transmits whether a parking spot is free or taken.
- Meters that accept debit and credit cards.
- Live data feeds that tell drivers number and location of free spots; the info is transmitted via smart phone apps as well as on the sfPark's website and electronic displays.
SFPark is in a federally-funded pilot phase through mid 2012, affecting 5,500 of San Francisco's 26,000 metered spaces and 12,250 spaces in 14 of 20 City-owned parking garages.
Demand-Based Parking Rates
Another feature of the program is demand-based pricing. The cost of parking will be automatically adjusted depending on demand, with rates adjusted block by block with a goal of having at least one spot available at any time on a given block. Officials anticipate the price of parking in a space could fluctuate from 25 cents to $6.00 per hour. Rates for special events, such as popular sports matches, may reach as high as $18 in the future. The sfPark website states that rates will be changed up or down no more than once a month and by no more than 50 cents an hour.
Will Easier Parking Really Mean Less Pollution?
Stated goals of the program include making parking easier, increasing traffic to local businesses and cutting down on unsafe double parking; the effect of the program on parking revenues to the City is not yet proved. Another supposed benefit of the program is that less circling means less gas burning, which means cleaner air. While this sounds good in theory, it is just possible that taking the stress out of parking may mean more people drive into and around the city, spewing more carbon into the air. There are other measures that could result in fewer cars in busy downtown areas, such as the congestion fees as implemented in London and Singapore, which charge a fee for any vehicle entering the downtown area at busy times of day. A congestion fee has been under consideration for San Francisco for some time but there is strong resistance from some in the business community and the proposed congestion fee is still awaiting local and state legislative approval.
Read more: traffic, parking, car, california, urban, environment, auto, fee, san francisco, global warming, APP, Congestion, revenue, smart phone, sfpark
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why is this inappropriate?
Here's a better idea. More mass transit , less cars.
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why is this inappropriate?
Would like to know the costs of installing this system. Would dollars spent be effective upgrading/increasing public transportation?
What I really like is that they are trying to do something to solve the problem!
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why is this inappropriate?
sounds like it has potential, but never know until its tried out. I do know that too many people I observe seem to always have to wait and idle or drive around and around wasting gas, polluting the air, and driving me crazy.
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why is this inappropriate?
Worth to try
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why is this inappropriate?
What an interesting idea. I hope it works. Maybey if it does we can try it elsewhere.
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why is this inappropriate?
This is a great idea even if it doesnt cut down on carbon emissions its helping people be healthier by reducing stress, so at least they people will be happier and healthier.
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why is this inappropriate?
THANKS 2 INFORM
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why is this inappropriate?
A "poor attempt" at a solution...geared only for the rich! In my real world, there is NO iphone....so I guess I "park 'n Ride" which is by far the better solution! Levels the playing field..and keeps ALL cars out of downtown!
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why is this inappropriate?
Maybe they could add recharging for batteries for electric cars. They also have electric buses that run off overhead power lines. Maybe they could extend the bus routes.
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why is this inappropriate?
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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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