Sensors and other users of the app enable software to provide real-time map with information about open spaces
A free City of Sarasota parking app for iOS and Android systems has been made available for smartphones and tablets, the city announced on Nov. 14.
The app, called Parker, has been designed to help drivers find public parking spaces in downtown Sarasota and Southside Village, on St. Armands Circle and at Lido Beach, a news release notes.
“Parker combines data from sensors as well as other app users to provide a real time map on your smartphone or tablet,” showing on-street parking availability, the release adds.
Streets highlighted in red on the map may not have open parking spaces, those highlighted in yellow have some open spaces, and those highlighted in green have several available parking spaces, the release explains.
“Parker not only benefits those using the app, but it also helps us gather data about parking usage,” said city Parking Operations Division Manager Mark Lyons in the release. “Plus, it cuts down the amount of time a driver spends looking for parking, which ultimately reduces congestion and carbon emissions.”
Created by the company Streetline, the app provides directions to a parking area and reminds users where they parked as well as the parking time restrictions, the release notes. Parker also provides hours of operation and prices for parking facilities.
Merchants may link to the app through their websites, providing patrons with easy-to-access parking information, the release adds.
For a video explaining how to use the app, click here.
To download Parker, go to the Apple App Store or Google Play or visit https://www.theparkerapp.com/.