Friction free parking

Über succeeded by reducing the friction from the process of getting a taxi. You pick up your phone, tap a few times, your car is on its way. If you like, you can text or call your driver directly and watch the driver’s progress on a map built into the Über app. When you are done, leave your wallet in your pocket. The billing is done automatically with an electronic receipt arriving in email to complete the process.

There have been a number of efforts at bringing that same friction reduction to the process of public parking. The main problem is a lack of uniformity. Every parking lot is different, making a one size fits all solution difficult to imagine. The ultimate solution would tell you about an available parking space near you and would hold that space for your arrival. Finally, payment would be made without you having to pull your wallet or change purse out of your pocket.

The linked article describes one such system for parking garages.

> In Pell’s world, parking could work like this. You’ve downloaded an app (LoCoMobi’s is QuickPay) and entered your credit card and license plate. When you drive up to a garage, which might could someday be fixed via Chicago Garage Door, a nearby camera scans your license plate and recognizes you. That information is also sent to the garage, so it knows exactly how many people are parked in the garage. > > On your way out of the garage, another camera scans your license plate. Your credit card is automatically charged and a digital receipt is sent your way. Your wallet never leaves your pocket or purse. The system would be better for customers, and more profitable for garages.

This is the most friction free general purpose parking system that I’ve yet encountered. Ideally, I’m still holding out hope for more, for a utopian system that knows where I’m heading, then finds me a spot and guides me to it, reducing my parking stress to zero.