Supply-And-Demand Parking meters?

[bionicarm]

Only in California. So San Francisco now has these 'internet capable' parking meters they've installed in various heavily congested parking areas around the city. They are planning on actively monitoring the meters so that when a certain parking area has little or no available parking spots, they can raise the rate 'on the fly' to discourage people from parking for extended periods, thus freeing up parking spots. For parking areas where there's plenty of parking spots, they'll lower the rate to encourage people to park there, as opposed to the heavier areas. Does this make any sense?
So I park in a spot, and the rate is $2.00/hr. I go on my merry way of doing whatever, then decide I need to stay longer than the initial hour. However, when I come back to drop in another $2.00, I see now I have to pay $5.00 because the 'Parking Meter Gods' decided they needed to free up some parking spaces for someone else, and they jacked up the price while I was gone. Doesn't this seem like borderline extortion to anyone?
http://www.good.is/post/san-francisc...ers/?GT1=48001

 

[dragonzim]

I dont see in the article if the rates are going to go up on meters that are already in use or just one ones that are not currently being used. If they are going to jack the rates up while you are parked there already it seems kind of extortion'y to me, but if they are only going to jack the rates once a spot is open it doesnt seem too bad.

 

[bionicarm]

Originally Posted by DragonZim
http:///forum/post/3296775
I dont see in the article if the rates are going to go up on meters that are already in use or just one ones that are not currently being used. If they are going to jack the rates up while you are parked there already it seems kind of extortion'y to me, but if they are only going to jack the rates once a spot is open it doesnt seem too bad.
I guess the question is, how will they know if a parking spot is empty? I suppose they couldn't jack the rate up if a person just walks up to a meter with time left on it, and adds more money to extend the time. But if you're a couple minutes late getting back to add more time, they could in effect raise the rate, because all they'll see is an unused meter. Don't think they'll have cameras installed to see if a physical parking spot is taken or not.

 

[demartini]

Have you ever driven in SF? THERE IS NO PARKING!!! I hate it! I think it's an OK idea for people that want to make a quick stop at a store. I've had to park like a mile away from where I wanted to go just to get one thing many times... and it sucks when it's uphill! most people park in garages when they want to stay longer anyways.

 

[dragonzim]

Originally Posted by bionicarm
http:///forum/post/3296781
I guess the question is, how will they know if a parking spot is empty? I suppose they couldn't jack the rate up if a person just walks up to a meter with time left on it, and adds more money to extend the time. But if you're a couple minutes late getting back to add more time, they could in effect raise the rate, because all they'll see is an unused meter. Don't think they'll have cameras installed to see if a physical parking spot is taken or not.
Wouldnt be too difficult to put a pressure sensor on the pavement in front of it that can detect if a car is parked there or not.

 

[stdreb27]

Originally Posted by bionicarm
http:///forum/post/3296772
Only in California. So San Francisco now has these 'internet capable' parking meters they've installed in various heavily congested parking areas around the city. They are planning on actively monitoring the meters so that when a certain parking area has little or no available parking spots, they can raise the rate 'on the fly' to discourage people from parking for extended periods, thus freeing up parking spots. For parking areas where there's plenty of parking spots, they'll lower the rate to encourage people to park there, as opposed to the heavier areas. Does this make any sense?
So I park in a spot, and the rate is $2.00/hr. I go on my merry way of doing whatever, then decide I need to stay longer than the initial hour. However, when I come back to drop in another $2.00, I see now I have to pay $5.00 because the 'Parking Meter Gods' decided they needed to free up some parking spaces for someone else, and they jacked up the price while I was gone. Doesn't this seem like borderline extortion to anyone?
http://www.good.is/post/san-francisc...ers/?GT1=48001
actually I think it is a good idea. It sucks, and I don't think the city should charge for parking, after all I pay enough in taxes. But if you take the view of how to generate revenue, why not charge for premium spots... Now it doesn't sit well if you're talking business manners.

 

[cranberry]

I doubt they will do anything for "empty" detection. It makes "sense" to me (as far as the plan goes) for it to just go up the next time you go out to put in more cash. They are not forcing you to pay the inflated price... you are free to move your car to a less expensive place.... hence the program. It's a risk you take if you don't want to pay for 2 hours upfront verses 1 hour, for example. Sometimes you win.... sometimes you loose. No parking SUCKS!

 

[darthtang aw]

Are you really that surprised...it is San Fransisco...the retarded thought process capital of the country.
Darth (only idiots would build a bridge to Oakland) Tang

 

[stdreb27]

I lived in an apartment complex, that did something similar. They would base their price off of availability, floor, view, and length of time it was vacent. It was great from the business side of things. On my side, it sucked, but their manager was worth the extra money I ended up paying.