[r00fus]

When I was in Grenoble, France (back in 1999!!), they had a system where on the Autoroute, and in key locations within the city, you would see signs that showed the available parking spots in the government-run garages.

This had two benefits: 1) you could tell if you were going to get a spot in/near centre-ville or wherever you were going. 2) you could tell if it was likely you would find any spots - if all the garages nearby were at/near capacity, you probably wouldn't find parking on the street either - be prepared to park further away and walk.

This was possible because of government control of parking and signs - the city itself (not to mention the residents) benefited from lowered gas usage, less congestion and less frustration. Thus it is economics/government as much as technology.

[saryant]

When I lived in Strasbourg I noticed the same thing. I lived just outside the Grand Île on a major road and was very surprised to see those when I got there.

Coming from Houston I wasn't used to something like parking being so well organized. ;)