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We’ve all been there; tediously driving around town trying to find parking while trying to avoid "car guards" and fending off parking-slot snatchers.
If a new phone application takes off, this urban driving headache could be a thing of the past.
According to the London Daily Mail, phone developers in San Francisco have created an app which identifies the nearest empty parking space for drivers.
The SFpark project, launched in April 2011 works through a network of wireless sensors in streets and car parks that tell immediately when a spot becomes empty. The information is then relayed top your cellphone as one of all available parking spaces.
While the project, costing the equivalent of R137-million, could be useful for drivers, safety campaigners have warned about the dangers of losing concentration while driving around using phone while seeking a slot.
SAFETY FEARS
Professor of psychology at the University of Illinois, Daniel Simons, is concerned that the app could be distracting and dangerous forother traffic and pedestrians.
Officials have urged drivers to stop before using the app (but then wouldn't they have found parking?)
Nathaniel Ford, executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, said the SFpark project could improve safety - "it will get you off the streets as quickly as possible".
So far San Francisco has installed sensors at 7000 parking metres and 12 250 car-park bays. The app shows free spaces in blue, occupied spots in red.
The app is currently only available for iPhone, iPad and iPod users but already more than 12 000 people have downloaded it.
If a new phone application takes off, this urban driving headache could be a thing of the past.
According to the London Daily Mail, phone developers in San Francisco have created an app which identifies the nearest empty parking space for drivers.
The SFpark project, launched in April 2011 works through a network of wireless sensors in streets and car parks that tell immediately when a spot becomes empty. The information is then relayed top your cellphone as one of all available parking spaces.
While the project, costing the equivalent of R137-million, could be useful for drivers, safety campaigners have warned about the dangers of losing concentration while driving around using phone while seeking a slot.
SAFETY FEARS
Professor of psychology at the University of Illinois, Daniel Simons, is concerned that the app could be distracting and dangerous forother traffic and pedestrians.
Officials have urged drivers to stop before using the app (but then wouldn't they have found parking?)
Nathaniel Ford, executive director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, said the SFpark project could improve safety - "it will get you off the streets as quickly as possible".
So far San Francisco has installed sensors at 7000 parking metres and 12 250 car-park bays. The app shows free spaces in blue, occupied spots in red.
The app is currently only available for iPhone, iPad and iPod users but already more than 12 000 people have downloaded it.
