San Francisco to Launch Pay-by-Phone Parking
The SFpark program will allow San Francisco drivers to find parking and feed the meter through their phones. Text messages will be sent when time is about to expire, reducing the risk of getting a parking ticket. The larger goal of this experiment is to reduce traffic by adjusting the price of parking at curbside meters based on demand to even out parking availability and eliminate 'circling'. Sensors in the pavement will keep track of the parking occupancy. This system called "demand-responsive pricing" will encourage drivers to park in underused areas and garages, reducing demand in overused areas and thus maximizing existing park resources to benefit everyone – drivers, commuters, bicyclists and pedestrians alike.
Customers will have to pay an extra 45 cents service charge to use this feature, and prices are set to change no more than 50 cents, once a month.
Any thoughts on the pros and cons?