Monday, July 14. 2008

San Francisco Adds Sensors to Share Parking Space Data

The 4x4 inch sensors are glued to the pavement adjacent to each parking space and create a mesh network that sends information to parking meters and a central database. It's not clear from the New York Times article exactly what the sensor is sensing, but a look at Streetline's website, the company behind the technology, doesn't make it clear either, stating simply that the sensors record arrival and departure.

The information collected is then shared to smartphones and more importantly, to local street signs, which can "signal" when nearby spots are "open." The trial is aimed at cutting the extra traffic created by those "circling" the block for a spot and may include payment via smartphone.

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Transmission to smartphones is a sound idea, but what I anticipate to really kick off said technology will be communication via Global Navigation Satellite Systems. Moreover, I'd welcome smartcars with computers ready to analyze the best parking space on factors such as location, price, vehicle size, etc. - and then park the car right there!

It's about time, too - have you heard of the Toronto parking permits as of late?

#1 realtor in Toronto (Link) on 2008-07-26 03:01 (Reply)

This fall, San Francisco will test 6,000 of its 24,000 metered parking spaces in the nation’s most ambitious trial of a wireless sensor network that will announce which of the spaces are free at any moment.

Drivers will be alerted to empty parking places either by displays on street signs, or by looking at maps on screens of their smartphones. They may even be able to pay for parking by cellphone, and add to the parking meter from their phones without returning to the car.

parking sensor

#2 DavidDock on 2009-06-05 04:43 (Reply)

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In reply to	[ Top level ]#1: realtor in Toronto on 2008-07-26 03:01 #2: DavidDock on 2009-06-05 04:43
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