Streetline Networks has been working with the city of San Francisco in a joint effort to try and reduce some of the challenges in finding parking in that city.

At a cost of $95 million, the city is asking Streetline to install wireless sensors within 4×4 plastic pads that are secured next to the curb of the parking spot. These parking spots can be located on the street, in mall parking lots, or in underground garages. The theory behind the sensors is that they will monitor the parking spots as to if a car is parked in one or not. Should a spot become available, the sensor will alert drivers regarding their availability.

The thought is that such a notification system will hopefully reduce what currently happens and that is drivers circling the block over and over waiting for a spot to open up. Such a system, if it works will reduce congestion as well as emissions.

The one thing that I question is what happens if multiple people get notified about the availability of a spot. In that case, it would seem you’d have a flood of drivers madly trying to reach that location to secure the parking spot?

[Source: Gear Live]