Two days ago, the New York Times had a really interesting article about something currently going on in one of the most progressive cities in the country: San Francisco. We all know that finding a parking spot in the city can really sucks. What’s worse is that driving around the same block over and over again isn’t getting you very good gas mileage.

San Francisco has an answer for both the anxiety and efficiency of finding a spot: Smartphone accessible parking spot details. Using small wireless sensors, parking spaces will be able to communicate with driver’s smartphones in order to tell them where there are open spots. It’s also possible that in the future you’ll be able to pay for parking over the phone, as well refill the meter without actually walking out to the spot.

This technology could be revolutionary, especially in congestion capitals like New York:

Not that New Yorkers need any reminders of their traffic problems, but a study released in June by Transportation Alternatives, a public transit advocacy group, reported that 28 percent to 45 percent of traffic on some streets in New York City is generated by people circling the blocks.

NYC recently saw it’s congestion pricing plan fail, but if this system works in San Francisco I can see it reducing emissions, fuel use, and stress in congested cities around the world.

Image: jon_a_ross

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