ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the effectiveness of the pilot San Francisco initiative, SFpark. It focuses on whether it succeeded in reducing cruising and examines how to set performance targets to achieve a given level of parking availability. There was little change in occupancy in the pilot areas—reflecting the success of SFpark—while parking availability and cruising worsened in the control areas. Parking sensors tracked occupancy levels in both pilot areas where meter prices changed, and in control areas where meter prices remained unchanged. The sensors provided detailed occupancy data, which the city used to adjust rates about every six weeks. The sensors, which have a limited lifespan, were disabled at the end of 2013. Since then, SFpark has adjusted meter rates using meter payment data to estimate occupancy. Any occupancy-based goal, however, is somewhat arbitrary. More importantly, it does not relate directly to public policy goals of improving availability and reducing cruising.
