SpotScout's Response to the Parker App.

We've heard a lot over the last day or two about the 'Parker' app. made by Streetline Networks. It really bugs us to see the media not relaying the true facts of what this technology can actually do, its well known drawbacks, and its expense for the city to install and maintain.

First, we applaud anyone attempting to make parking easier for the public. Let the record show this.

BUT, we do not like it when people overexaggerate the true capacities of things, either. Sensor based on-street parking technologies started being tested in SF quite recently - roughly a year or two ago. They installed approximately 5,000 sensors to the reported tune of $27 Million dollars. YES, $27 MILLION, much of it paid by the Dept. of Transportation. The point is to embed sensors in the pavement that sense when a metallic object has left and then to relay that to a server which then posts it for all to see on a map based application. Though we haven't seen anyone actually say how much it cost to install these 100 sensors in Boston, right off the bat these things are not cheap and in this economy when city programs are being shut down left or right, this is no time to be spending unnecessary cash with the promise of very little return.

Here are the REAL downsides to embedded sensors for on-street spots the media needs to inform people about:

1. These sensors ONLY sense when a vehicle is in or is not in a parking spot. In high traffic areas, like Boylston, South End, Financial District, Newbury, etc. where spots are filled in 30 seconds or less at peak times, by the time that information relays and posts and people race in tandem for the spot it'll be filled, leaving you with a giant, "AWH, why'd I just make that effort" feeling. If you're not within visual range of the empty spot, after receiving that information, are you going to really race a block or two away knowing a spot can be filled and not update that quickly? Talk about being psyched out.
2. Even Streetline has stated three colors denote the occupancy of their sensor spots: they have one being "occupied"; the other being "not occupied"; and one that that means "Iffy." IFFY?? 
3. Their application broadcasts this information to EVERYONE at the exact same time. In high demand areas, the last thing anyone wants is 5 cars getting this same information, racing for the same spot and then all getting into fights over it. Not good. At all.
4. They have not been proven yet to work reliably in inclement weather. (Hence, why they started pilot testing in CA.)
5. In order for this networked based system to work the embedded sensors have to work 101% of the time - throughout bad weather, damage (ummm a shovel?), and the threat of possible vandalism. How much is it going to really anger people who drive to a spot at breakneck speeds only to find out the sensor is reading "not occupied" when actually is? 
6. If the city has approximately 38,000 or so parking spots (including garages) 100 sensor spots is .263% of all the total spots. That's less than 1/3 of 1%, which is not going to make a dent in parking related traffic compared to the probable cost for the city and its taxpayers.

Studies have shown that in order to reliably cut down on city traffic and parking related emissions, it is necessary to get people directly to spots. This is called "Directed Parking." However, with their expense in this economic times, their clearly stated unreliablity, and their untested capacites in NE weather, we here at SpotScout need to point out there are WAY better and cheaper options to assist with directed parking than this, such as our method that allows individuals to post when in the future they are leaving on-street parking spots.

Why?

1. It's FREE for the city. 
2. Only 1 individual at a time knows when and where a car will leave. 
3. One can find out hours and even days in advance of when spots are opening up.
4. No hardware to install and maintain, thus NO tax dollars being spent. 
5. Our method is not affected by the weather.
6. Better optimization of space and better return for consumers both looking for spots and those leaving their spots.

Team SpotScout


Footnote: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/news/smart-parking-systems-steer-drivers-to-open-spaces