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Drivers' mobile phones to show parking places under Ken Livingstone plans
Pippa Crerar, City Hall Editor7 Jun 2010
Motorists would be able to use smart technology to find available parking places under plans announced today by Ken Livingstone.
The former mayor said he would ease parking chaos in London if re-elected by bringing in a system like that used in San Francisco, where 6,000 of the 24,000 metered parking places are fitted with sensors that allow drivers to find spaces via wi-fi.
The American city's $23 million network shows available spots on motorists' mobile phones and electronic street signs. If drivers want to add more time to a parking meter they can also do it by mobile.
Mr Livingstone, who is running for the Labour candidacy, highlighted ideas today for his aim to make London the first “smart city”. Others include using real-time “smart meters” to cut energy use in homes and businesses. In Sweden these have resulted in a 24 per cent reduction in energy use.
“London has been at its best when it embraces new ideas, however during tough financial times there is a great danger that politicians focus too much on the present rather than planning for the future,” said Mr Livingstone.
Mr Livingstone brought in transport improvements such as the C-charge and Oyster cards during his time as mayor.
Reader views (14)
Fred, there is indeed such an app, it is called toilet finder. And Ken, Westminster City Council already provide the facility to add more parking time via your mobile!
- Derek, Esher, Surrey, 08/06/2010 08:19
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OK, this is one of those 'feel good' suggestions by someone who, if elected somehow, will be able to say when asked - "More pressing need for available finance... maybe next year..." (Ok, I'm anti-Ken. It's allowed). One reasonable question that links to the above pessimism is just how he thinks this would be financed? It's not just a matter of having an app on the mobile phone - it's the infrastructure and organisation behind it; the centralization of the required information etc.
Still, as said, the superficial suggestion LOOKS nice - as long as you don't look too closely.
- Rogan, Irving, 07/06/2010 20:15
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Is there an APP which would enable RedKen to find a retirement villa, perhaps in Venezuela as he is so fond of the place. We have all had quite enough of this bigoted dinosaur and he is given far too much air time and newspaper publicity. Have we not earned a rest from this professional self publicist, race card player, old has been- and his cronies ?
- Miguel M, Old Isleworth, England, 07/06/2010 17:20
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That well known friend of the motorist, Ken Livingstone, is now going to help them find parking places? Why the main is a living saint.....
- SarahN, London, UK, 07/06/2010 17:18
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We already hear too much of Ken's Nasal Guitar on LBC,
all he does is slag the Mayor off.
please do not vote this character in again.
- Davey_buoy, Chertsey, 07/06/2010 17:04
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Why does the Evening Standard continue to give this awful, self-serving, racist, professional politician column inches? He's never held down a REAL job and will never be mayor again! Let him fade away into obscurity.
- Mark, London, 07/06/2010 15:10
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This odious man will try any gimmick in his desperation to get elected as mayor. I had hoped that, after his humiliating defeat at the last election, he would realise how despised he is and clear off out of London. He will never be mayor again and must just accept the fact.
- R.F.York, Yorks, UK, 07/06/2010 13:17
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I'd like an app that shows where WCs are in London. What a dump it is for tourists looking for one.
- Fred, London, 07/06/2010 13:13
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How many people will be driving like Zombies trying to read their phone to find a parking space? Wont work: too dangerous. Some people struggle to drive/park at the best of times, they do not need another distraction!
- Dom, London, 07/06/2010 13:06
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Errrr..... so where do you park whilst you access this infomation via your phone?
- JC, London, 07/06/2010 13:06
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But first several 'fact-finding' trips to various other locations using the technology would be required.
- Jim, London, 07/06/2010 12:53
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And presumably it will still be illegal to use a mobile phone while driving if you need to find a parking space.
Unless of course the authorities agree that this counts as an 'emergency'. So many parking spaces have been lost under the 'green' travel plans shoved onto local councils by Green Ken, that it wouldn't be too far-fetched as an excuse.
- Jools, London, 07/06/2010 12:43
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I really don't know where to start on how pathetic this article is. So Ken's been on holiday and seen someone else doing something; now it's his idea and we should make him Mayor again?
- Jules_london, london, 07/06/2010 12:37
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Ken is not mayor and never will be again. Why on earth is he given any space to air his tired views?
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 07/06/2010 12:23
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