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Where to park your car, according to math

phys.org

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Re: Where to park your car, according to math

#11

Post by VBprogrammer »

dazc wrote: post #8
ape4 wrote: post #6

Other factors: getting a bit of exercise, wanting to be away from the busiest areas to avoid your car being dinged.

I always try and park away from the busiest areas for the same reasons but, purely from observation, it's obvious most people don't since the area closest to the store entrance is almost always utilised the most. I do often wonder why people are so lazy or so busy that saving on walking an extra few yards is so important to them?

When our baby was younger we tended to park as far away from anyone else as possible to give us room to put her back in the car. It's amazing how often we come back to find someone parked right next to us.

Re: Where to park your car, according to math

#14

Post by dazc »

VBprogrammer wrote: post #11
dazc wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always try and park away from the busiest areas for the same reasons but, purely from observation, it's obvious most people don't since the area closest to the store entrance is almost always utilised the most. I do often wonder why people are so lazy or so busy that saving on walking an extra few yards is so important to them?

When our baby was younger we tended to park as far away from anyone else as possible to give us room to put her back in the car. It's amazing how often we come back to find someone parked right next to us.

Yes, I notice this a lot.

Re: Where to park your car, according to math

#15

Post by donpott »

ismail wrote: post #5

I thought I had read this before. Here is the link to the original blog post from the institute that did the research. https://www.santafe.edu/news-center/news/where-how-park-your...

I had the same feeling. If memory serves, the problem of optimal stopping is discussed (using a parking lot as an example) in the book "Algorithms to live by"

http://algorithmstoliveby.com/

Re: Where to park your car, according to math

#16

Post by badpun »

dazc wrote: post #8
ape4 wrote: post #6

Other factors: getting a bit of exercise, wanting to be away from the busiest areas to avoid your car being dinged.

I always try and park away from the busiest areas for the same reasons but, purely from observation, it's obvious most people don't since the area closest to the store entrance is almost always utilised the most. I do often wonder why people are so lazy or so busy that saving on walking an extra few yards is so important to them?

> I always try and park away from the busiest areas for the same reasons but, purely from observation, it's obvious most people don't since the area closest to the store entrance is almost always utilised the most.

Walking through parking lot is not ideal. If it's outside, then you need to be dressed out for walking outside (and be prepared for rain etc. when coming back). When it's inside, it can smell of fumes and not neccesarily be very safe.

Re: Where to park your car, according to math

#17

Post by mszcz »

VBprogrammer wrote: post #11
dazc wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always try and park away from the busiest areas for the same reasons but, purely from observation, it's obvious most people don't since the area closest to the store entrance is almost always utilised the most. I do often wonder why people are so lazy or so busy that saving on walking an extra few yards is so important to them?

When our baby was younger we tended to park as far away from anyone else as possible to give us room to put her back in the car. It's amazing how often we come back to find someone parked right next to us.

I've noticed this as well. If I park in the middle of the parking lot with no cars anywhere near me, very often I come back to find another car parked right next to mine.

My theory as to why this happens is that a parked car is a clearer indicator of how to park properly. If I try to park properly using the painted lines (which are often not very visible and go out of sight when you start entering your parking spot) I might miss the mark. However, a parked car that's more visible is a better indicator of whether I've parked correctly.

Re: Where to park your car, according to math

#18

Post by systemtest »

mszcz wrote: post #17
VBprogrammer wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When our baby was younger we tended to park as far away from anyone else as possible to give us room to put her back in the car. It's amazing how often we come back to find someone parked right next to us.

I've noticed this as well. If I park in the middle of the parking lot with no cars anywhere near me, very often I come back to find another car parked right next to mine. My theory as to why this happens is that a parked car is a clearer indicator of how to park properly. If I try to park properly using the painted lines (which are often not very visible and go out of sight when you start entering your parking spot)…

One of the reasons I back into parking spots. Back in, watch your mirrors, line up the lines using your mirrors or backup camera and continue going back. You will park perfectly in the middle every time.

Re: Where to park your car, according to math

#19

Post by powersnail »

dazc wrote: post #8
ape4 wrote: post #6

Other factors: getting a bit of exercise, wanting to be away from the busiest areas to avoid your car being dinged.

I always try and park away from the busiest areas for the same reasons but, purely from observation, it's obvious most people don't since the area closest to the store entrance is almost always utilised the most. I do often wonder why people are so lazy or so busy that saving on walking an extra few yards is so important to them?

I’d like to guess that it isn’t a well-thought decision to park closer. It’s just basic instinct of choosing a convenient place. While in reality that causes crowdedness and might cost more time, the drivers aren’t doing a rational computation in their head about optimization. If you ask them the question, “Is that few steps so important to you?”, they will answer no and park a bit further.

Re: Where to park your car, according to math

#20

Post by technothrasher »

I've never been called 'meek' before! But then I think I'm looking at the problem differently. I don't consider the walking time wasted, I don't mind the walk. I want to get the car parked as quickly as possible, not spend the least amount of time between entering the lot and getting to my destination. In fact, I will often park further away even when I can directly see that close up spots are free.
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