The NY Times documents efforts by some city dwellers to share information about curb-side parking spots. StreetParkNYC has an iPhone app website that allows you to announce when you’re leaving a spot. Another driver who’s in need of a spot can get info about the location for $5 and you would get a $3 kick back, with StreetParkNYC pocketing the remaining $2.
This sounds so creepy. Street parking in Hoboken, where I live, is pretty tough. It’s rare that you see an open parking space. Most of the time you have to catch someone getting in their car so you can nab the spot. I’m wondering how people would react if someone beats them to a spot they just paid $5 for. StreetPark claims their system would reduce fuel consumption and emissions, but it seems to me that it would just defer these problems to someone else.
Update: Caleb from StreetParkNYC responds in comments.
Easy solution to the problem above:
Let’s say I’ve signed on to streetpark, and listed my space as available. A fellow streetparker claims it. So a couple hours later, I’ve just sat down in my car, and I’m waiting for the next dude to show (streetparknyc.com sent me an e-mail with the make, model, color, and year of the car coming to take the space). But instead of a blue ’96 nissan altima, I see a late model escalade waiting for the space. I try to wave the guy by, but he’s stubborn and just opens the windows, and turns up some crappy house music so loud that it can be heard in Newark.
What do I do? Easy. I get out of my car, and walk back into my building. 60 seconds later, I come back out, the dude is gone, and I can relinquish my space in peace.
(Also, the app isn’t specifically iPhone. It’s a generic website, which happens to display pretty well on most mobile devices).
[Disclaimer – I’m one of the founders of the site, and wrote the server and database code that makes it work. It’s been a big chunk of my life for the last 9 months. I’ve thought about these issues a LOT, and I’m convinced that it’s a good solution to a tough problem. Paying a net $2/day for parking is a pretty cheap approach, IMHO.]
Caleb,
I appreciate the quick reply. That solution is “Easy.” if I have the time to futz around like that. But the likely scenario is me walking out to my car with my kids and the idea that I’d go through that sort of convoluted dance is silly. More than likely the guy would have left when I waved him on.
However, why wouldn’t I just go up to the guy in the Escalade, tell him to turn down his music, and explain to him that someone reserved the spot on the internet for $5? Hell, I could even give him a business card and try to get a referral. “Tough luck now, but maybe next time buddy!”
Well, I’m the guy in the black Escalade and I’m gonna sit there until the new car shows up. Does this mean that you’re gonna sit in your car and wait for the reserved driver to show up, for a $3 incentive? Well, I’ll be there and grab the spot when you pull out, regardless of the new, virtual reservation. I’m physically claiming the spot because I’m right there already, and have been for a while.
Now we’ve got urban demolition derby, which you see in Wal Mart parking lots all the time.
I wish you luck with your venture, though.
DJ,
You’re right, it could go down like that, but honestly people have been trading spaces (mostly doormen and people who know each other and have matching schedules) forever in NYC. Something like you describe could happen, but 99% of the time when you’re not leaving a space and wave someone by they leave.
If these internet solutions work I’d be ready for them–almost anything beats driving around for 45 minutes hoping for a space.
I’ve heard Hoboken and Jersey City are really bad for parking, too. Maybe they need something like this, too.
Oh yeah, nice black brick. Used to drive a white brick like that in the late 80’s and 90’s.
Dexter,
True, I’m sure people would drive off if you waved them on. Hoboken is bad for parking but I’m not sure this is the solution. It’s just too complicated, not to mention that it’s a private gain over a public resource.