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How it Works

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SFpark is pioneering the world’s most advanced parking management system. Using sensors, new meters, and demand-responsive pricing, SFpark takes the guesswork out of parking in the City. These elements work together to make parking easier to find and more convenient. This benefits drivers, Muni riders, bicyclists, pedestrians, visitors, residents, merchants and more.
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Pricing

SFpark uses demand-responsive pricing to open up parking spaces on each block and reduce circling and double-parking. Rates may vary by block, time of day and day of week. Rates will be adjusted by no more than 50 cents per hour down or 25 cents per hour up, and no more often than once per month. Learn more
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Apps

In addition to the parking availability map available on the SFpark.org homepage, information on parking availability is distributed via a free SFpark iPhone app, Android app, and the region’s 511 phone system. By checking parking availability before leaving home, drivers will know where they can expect to find parking and how much it will cost. Learn more
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Open Data and Source Code

SFpark encourages independent developers and researchers to use its public API, open data and open source code to create new apps and data visualizations that support the project’s goal of making parking more readily available. The data feed provides real-time parking availability and pricing information for publicly owned garages and metered blocks within SFpark pilot areas. Learn more
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Meters

SFpark's state-of-the-art meters are easy to use and allow drivers to pay with coins, credit/debit cards, and SFMTA parking cards. In late 2010, the SFMTA replaced existing parking meters with these new coin and card meters throughout the SFpark pilot areas. Learn more
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Sensors

In order to direct drivers towards parking, SFpark needs to know which spaces are available. Wireless parking sensors detect parking availability in real time. Metered parking spaces in SFpark pilot areas have wireless sensors embedded in the pavement. Learn more
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PayByPhone

Making it easier to pay for parking helps people avoid parking tickets. PayByPhone enables customers to add time without returning to the meter (subject to time limit restrictions), receive a reminder message when time is almost up, and download receipts online. The service provider adds a 45¢ fee per transaction. Learn more
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Accessible Parking Policy

The Accessible Parking Policy Advisory Committee reviewed and made recommendations regarding on-street accessible parking policies, including those governing disabled placards and blue zones. These issues affect access and mobility for people with disabilities in San Francisco, whether they travel by car, paratransit, or public transit. Learn more
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Mission Bay Parking Planning

The SFMTA has managed parking in Mission Bay for more than a decade, and includes it as one of its eight SFpark pilot areas, allowing for demand-responsive pricing, extended time limits, and special event pricing. These parking management tools will help make it easier to park in the area as it continues to grow in the coming years. Learn more
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Garages

The SFMTA manages 20 public parking garages across San Francisco. Of these, 14 are part of the SFpark project. To attract drivers and to ensure the availability of spaces, rates at these SFpark garages vary by the time of day and are adjusted quarterly in response to demand. Learn more