Last Updated on November 12, 2017 by Lawrence Berezin
What do curbside parking spaces have in common with dinosaurs?
Joe and Natalie are headed to Manhattan to meet Joe’s boss and her husband for dinner. “I’m a little nervous about Natalie meeting my boss’s husband. I hope they hit it off,” Joe thought to himself. “I’m going to leave plenty of time to drive to the restaurant and find curbside parking.” Silly boy…You better leave now, Joe.
Joe’s dinner reservation was for 8:00 p.m. It is now 8:30 p.m. and Joe is still circling the block for some vacant curbside parking spaces. He can’t even find off-street parking. Joe’s stress and anxiety is rapidly rising, and his blood pressure is headed off the charts.
Have you shared Joe’s nightmare? Are vacant curbside parking spaces, like dinosaurs, a thing of the past?
Is there a workable solution?
Absolutely, positively yes; according to UCLA Professor Donald Shoup, and the City of San Francisco. Streetfilms.org produced a wonderful, informative, and brief film about an innovative solution to creating more curbside parking spaces, less traffic congestion, and lowering the blood pressure of frustrated drivers.
As much as 40% of all traffic consists of drivers cruising to find a vacant parking space. NYC has some of the most valuable property in the world. Yet, curbside parking is incredibly underpriced or free. This makes no economic sense, results in fewer parking spaces, increases traffic congestion, and carbon emissions.
The City by the bay initiated an innovative parking program to deal with these challenges called SF Park program.
Do you have 3 minutes? If so, check out this thought-provoking short film. You’ll be glad you did.
Commentary
I love innovation. Will it work? Time will tell. In the meantime, here are some more examples of creative ideas for curing the nightmare of cruising for a vacant parking space:
What do you think of the SF Park program? Would it work in NYC? Any creative ideas? Please share your thoughts. Your opinions matter to us.
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