ParkShark FAQ
1. What is ParkShark?
ParkShark is a parking information and parking space sharing app. ParkShark aims to build a community of cooperating parking citizens who work for the betterment of everyone's parking experiences.
2. What is a parking space sharing app?
This is a new type of application that integrates a bunch of current technology concepts, such as location awareness, social networking, crowd-sourcing and mobile computing. We use these concepts to address the existing well-established problem of finding parking in congested areas, whether it be on-street parking in a major city or crowded parking lots at your local mall. As a side effect, we also aim to reduce other related ills, such as the traffic congestion, pollution and associated driver frustration that goes along with searching for a parking spot.
3. Why did you name the app ParkShark?
The name came about while cruising up and down the side streets of Manhattan looking for an elusive on-street parking spot. We felt like a great white shark searching for its next meal. That meal, in our case, was a parking spot.
4. How does ParkShark solve the issues around parking?
ParkShark allows its members to share parking spots with one another. This means letting someone else know when you will be leaving a parking spot so they may take the spot in a safe and efficient manner. ParkShark also provides detailed parking information for New York City, including parking garage information, parking regulations and traffic cams.
5. How does ParkShark let me share a parking spot?
ParkShark takes advantages of current mobile technology to quickly find your parking spot on a interactive map. You will specify what time you plan to leave the spot. Don't worry if you don't know now, you can fill in that information later. You will then add some information about the parking spot, such as your vehicle, whether or not it is a paid spot, a picture of the spot, etc. in order to allow other users to make a smart decision about whether or not your parking space is of use to them.
6. What's in it for me? Why would I take the time to share my parking spot information with other users?
While we would appeal to your good nature of helping others, we know it isn't so easy to take the time to be helpful. So, we have established a rating system in ParkShark. All users are rated on a fine-grained 5 star system. The better your rating, the greater likelihood that you will see available spaces before other users. Not everyone sees shared spaces at the same time.
7. How is my rating calculated?
You increase your rating by being a good sharer and good reserver. A good sharer is someone who shares spots on time. A poor sharer is someone who shares spots but cancels frequently or leaves earlier or later than they said they would. You rating is partly based on your sharing and reserving habits and on the reviews of other users you interact with. A good citizen is likely to get better reviews, therefore will have a better rating.
8. Will this really work? If I reserve a parking spot, won't someone else simply take my spot?
ParkShark will work in most cases because you will know ahead of time when the sharer will be leaving his spot. The most effective way to use the service is to arrive prior to the person leaving the spot. You will be able to know exactly which spot to wait next to by the detailed spot information provided by the sharer. We suggest you wait just behind the sharer's vehicle until she arrives and pulls out of the spot. Don't forget to give good sharers and reservers a positive review!