Los Angeles Moves to Credit Card Readers and On-Street Sensors from Page 36
off-street locations that lend themselves to this technology. But some on-street areas use pay-by-space, where merchants want a less cluttered streetscape for sidewalk cafes and the like. “It’s good to have the flexibility to use either technology
as needed.”
Wireless Sensors The city is currently in a test program with Streetline Inc. to
install individual space-monitoring devices on-street. Focused primarily on the Hollywood area, the 1,000-space pilot program serves multiple purposes. “The sensor information is transmitted back to our manage-
ment center and to direct enforcement. By sending enforcement staff to areas where multiple violations were reported, the depart- ment was able to increase effectiveness by 250%,” Sedadi said. “A special iPhone app identifies potential violations and tracks enforcement of those spaces in real-time.” The next phase ofLA’s parking program, ExpressPark, is
being installed in the city’s downtown core. Funded by a USDOT grant and local funds, the program will use the new parking meter technology, on-street vehicle sensors, off-street occupancy systems, parking guidance, and integrated parking management for measured demand information to set parking prices. “Our goal is to reduce congestion and pollution caused by people ‘cruising’ for available parking by lowering or raising
parking prices so we have an on-street vacancy rate ofbetween 10% and 30%,” Sedadi said. “We have been working with the Don Shoup theory ofdemand-based pricing to keep some spaces always available and thus lower the number ofcars cruising for a space. “By adjusting pricing in certain areas, and providing real-
time parking availability information, we will entice drivers to make quick decisions as to where they can park and at what cost,” Sedadi said. The equipment for ExpressPark is being installed now, and
Sedadi has City Council approval for pricing adjustments. He expects the program to begin in April 2012. Sedadi smiled as he handed PT his smart phone. On it was
an app called Parker that showed available on-street parking spaces in the Hollywood test area. “We have had thousands of downloads ofthe app, as it has gotten a lot ofpublicity.” He showed a skeptical reporter the screen and noted that the
app displayed the number ofavailable spaces in a given block. The driver could then decide whether to head for an area close to his destination with only two spaces available, or go for more of a sure thing farther away with four or more available spaces. (With demonstrations like that, Sedadi will win many converts.) The ExpressPark system ultimately will have signage that
will change with the rates and be able to direct drivers to open spaces and tell them what they are going to pay. Currently, the rates are posted on with stickers on the meters. “The more information we give the drivers, the more they will adapt to our parking system,” Sedadi said.
John Van Horn is founder, publisher and editor of Parking Today. Contact him at
jvh@parkingtoday.com
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