3 ms·

Complex rules are easy fodder for code. Would be awesome to have an app that simply answers: "Can I park on this street right now? (and until when)"

Vexs 12y ago
That sounds incredibly brilliant- issue being accurate GPS locating, and actually finding out what rules are there. I really wish there was some sort of public works API where you could pull sign data, traffic lights data, etc. Seems like there could be some very interesting applications developed from that.
- rmxt 12y ago
  Here's a baby step in that direction for NYC: http://a841-dotvweb01.nyc.gov/ParkingRegs/ViewController/LocationValidation.aspx http://a841-dotvweb01.nyc.gov/ParkingRegs/ViewController/Loc... CSV and shapefiles can be found here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/datafeeds.shtml#parking http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/datafeeds.shtml#parki...
- maxerickson 12y ago
  There are various efforts to put that sort of data into OpenStreetMap. Using OSM brings all the problems of redundant effort and crowd sourcing in, but it solves the 'in one place' part of the problem. There's also the issue that OSM focuses on the geo side of the data, so it is usually pretty awkward to encode complex data (like multiple parking regulations or traffic signal plans)
gambiter 12y ago
Or an electronic sign that simply shows red/green as a GO/NOGO indicator. We already have them for crosswalks, school zones, etc., why not extend it to parking zones? They might be slightly more expensive, but you could just install them on the curbs where there is more than one rule.
- goatforce5 12y ago
  GO/NOGO isn't good enough. I need to know how much it will cost to park there, and how long I can stay in that spot. Do the rules change if I have a resident parking permit? etc.
emeidi 12y ago
You're onto something ... Sounds like the AirBnB or Uber for street parking. Disruption is in the making.</sarcasm> Why should people require a smartphone to figure out whether they can park on a street or not? My solution: KISS! European countries show that it's totally feasible to make easy-to-understand parking signs, in 2015, without any Silicon Valley tech at all.
- allending 12y ago
  Wasn't really suggesting disruption or a revolutionary business model. Not everything needs to be about the Uberization of X or Y. Just something small and useful that would be convenient for users from my perspective. I received a ticket in San Diego a couple month's ago because I didn't walk down half a block to see a sign that mentioned street cleaning on certain days.
sbierwagen 12y ago
Yep, been done: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/nyregion/iphone-app-tells-if-you-can-park-here-there-and-anywhere.html?_r=1& http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/nyregion/iphone-app-tells-...

Vexs 12y ago

That sounds incredibly brilliant- issue being accurate GPS locating, and actually finding out what rules are there. I really wish there was some sort of public works API where you could pull sign data, traffic lights data, etc. Seems like there could be some very interesting applications developed from that.

rmxt 12y ago
Here's a baby step in that direction for NYC: http://a841-dotvweb01.nyc.gov/ParkingRegs/ViewController/LocationValidation.aspx http://a841-dotvweb01.nyc.gov/ParkingRegs/ViewController/Loc... CSV and shapefiles can be found here: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/datafeeds.shtml#parking http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/datafeeds.shtml#parki...
maxerickson 12y ago
There are various efforts to put that sort of data into OpenStreetMap. Using OSM brings all the problems of redundant effort and crowd sourcing in, but it solves the 'in one place' part of the problem. There's also the issue that OSM focuses on the geo side of the data, so it is usually pretty awkward to encode complex data (like multiple parking regulations or traffic signal plans)

gambiter 12y ago

Or an electronic sign that simply shows red/green as a GO/NOGO indicator. We already have them for crosswalks, school zones, etc., why not extend it to parking zones? They might be slightly more expensive, but you could just install them on the curbs where there is more than one rule.

goatforce5 12y ago
GO/NOGO isn't good enough. I need to know how much it will cost to park there, and how long I can stay in that spot. Do the rules change if I have a resident parking permit? etc.

emeidi 12y ago

You're onto something ... Sounds like the AirBnB or Uber for street parking. Disruption is in the making.</sarcasm> Why should people require a smartphone to figure out whether they can park on a street or not? My solution: KISS! European countries show that it's totally feasible to make easy-to-understand parking signs, in 2015, without any Silicon Valley tech at all.

allending 12y ago
Wasn't really suggesting disruption or a revolutionary business model. Not everything needs to be about the Uberization of X or Y. Just something small and useful that would be convenient for users from my perspective. I received a ticket in San Diego a couple month's ago because I didn't walk down half a block to see a sign that mentioned street cleaning on certain days.

sbierwagen 12y ago

Yep, been done: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/nyregion/iphone-app-tells-if-you-can-park-here-there-and-anywhere.html?_r=1& http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/nyregion/iphone-app-tells-...