Shopping Car Parking this Christmas

[Hans Tucker]

An interesting article on Current Affairs tonight. If you can hold on and wait for a maximum of 6 minutes you can find a carpark in even the busiest Shopping Centres this Christmas.

Mathematician, Dr Cresswell has worked out, using mathematical calculation, just how easily it is to locate a parking spot without driving around and around.

She calculated that if the average time shopping is 3 hours, and allowing for other factors, then the maximum wait time in a block of 30 cars will be no longer than 6 minutes. So by just waiting by a large block of cars with a little patience, anyone can find spot.

They put it to the test...and it worked

[BlackWidow]

I haven't got 3 mins to waste waiting for a car park. I'm in a hurry! I've left things to the last min. Don't others understand that ? :rofl:

[Larryp]

I watched that report too, and it struck me that Dr Cresswell's car was the only one sitting in any given lane waiting for a spot.
Go to my local shopping centre and there will be at least 3-4 cars waiting in any given lane during busy periods.
Love to see her get a spot in her mathematical time frame there!

[LewisM]

Yet another reason I don't bother watching TV - these sort of flimsy "scientific tests" that ignore THOUSANDS of potential variables and the intrinsic nature of human psychology.

I think the line in Jurassic Park about female dinosaurs is very apt :)

[multiweb]

:lol: They must have all watched her show. So while all people stay static waiting for spots, let's not change a thing and keep looking around :P

[Irish stargazer]

Not to mention that the waiting cars are blocking access for everyone else trying to pass or they insist on taking a spot near the entrance at any cost. Leaving the car at home the next two days to avoid carpark road rage ;)

[04Stefan07]

This is exactly why I avoid going to the shopping centres a week before Christmas and do my shopping early! I can't stand driving in car parks with all those idiots that nearly ram into your own car and have no respect. If I need to go to the shops I am in walking distance of my local one or I will just park in a side street and walk.

[LewisM]

Been doing this since I have been an adult (physiologically anyway - waiting for the mental capacity to catch up) - I do ALL my Christmas shopping early December. If I have not got all the presents in 1 trip, too bad. If the food cannot be frozen or long term storage, too bad (everything we traditionally enjoy on Christmas Day can be kept for weeks prior - we make EVERYTHING here, no pre-made stuff). I bought the wife's and my eldest daughter's presents back on the 5th of December (right before my wife's birthday - 2 reasons in one trip)

Day to day food shopping can happily wait till near closing time. Aldi is open late enough.

[Larryp]

If I need to go shopping at ANY time, I get up very early and go before the crowds get there-never a problem parking and I'm on my way home when others are just arriving.

[DJT]

Valet parking...scientifically proven to cut parking wait time by 100%

:thumbsup:

[rustigsmed]

looking forward to doing my chrissy shopping either tonight or tomorrow night. its so handy living in a society where all the organised people get their shopping out of the way so people like me can shop in comfort haha

[Astro_Bot]

Christmas shopping (other than groceries)? I don't anymore. I highly recommend it - no stress - the way holidays were meant to be! It makes Christmas more like the USA's Thanksgiving.

I do like to avoid parking problems, though, any time of year. When I lived in Sydney, I shopped at Neutral Bay where supermarkets were open until midnight. Often, I'd do the shopping after 10pm - that way I'd mostly get a parkng spot right next to the entrance and there'd be no queues anywhere. :thumbsup:

[Rob P]

Christmas parking shopping solved - internet shopping :lol:

No maddening crowds to deal with either :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

Went out this morning very early to get some milk and booze. Car park was crazy even just before 8:00am. People left their manners at home. Got the last bottle of gaz from Bunnings too. No stock left. Be quick!

[AstralTraveller]

Breakfast must be interesting at your place. :P

[multiweb]

:lol: Wasn't for me unfortunately. The milk was, just to clarify. :)