Finding an empty metered parking space Downtown could soon be a little easier near Laura Street when the City tests a smartphone app parking guidance system.
Mayor Alvin Brown announced Tuesday a pilot program to evaluate the "Parker" system from Foster City, Calif.-based Streetline Inc.
Sensors will be installed in the pavement at parking spaces and motorists will be able to find available spaces by using an iPhone and Android mobile device.
"We want to make Downtown as accessible as possible. We're embracing technology," Brown said.
Streetline Senior Vice President Pete Salgado said the magnetic sensors will be installed in the pavement in about a week. After the sensors are in place, the system will be calibrated and then made available to users via a free smartphone app.
One hundred metered parking spaces will be equipped with the system along Laura Street from Monroe Street to Independent Drive and along Adams, Bay and Forsyth streets between Laura and Hogan streets.
"Downtown is moving into the future and in the right direction," said Donald Harris, general manager of the Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk hotel on the Southbank and chairman of the Downtown Investment Authority.
"It's important that we focus on what's going to make Downtown more attractive," said Brown.
Salgado said as much as 30 percent of the traffic congestion in any urban area is caused by motorists circling blocks looking for a place to park. He described the pilot program system as "smart parking."
Brown cited the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge study that was released in August, which challenged Jacksonville to use new technology in solving issues, including parking, highlighted in the study.
He said the parking sensors and app pilot program will be conducted at no cost to taxpayers.
Salgado said if the City wishes to continue to use the system after the pilot program is complete, the cost per parking space would be $15-$20 per month – $18,000-$24,000 per year for the 100 spaces in the program.
"After three months, we'll figure out what to do, and if we can afford it," said City Parking Director Jack Shad.
According to Downtown Vision Inc.'s website, there are more than 1,600 metered parking spaces along Downtown's streets and more than 43,000 public parking spaces that include metered spaces, parking garages and surface parking lots.
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