How Sharing Your Departure Works
Sharing your departure is a simple action that creates real-time awareness for nearby drivers. It signals that a parking spot is about to open, giving others time to approach calmly instead of guessing or circling.
This page explains exactly how sharing your departure works, what information is shared, and why it improves parking outcomes in dense cities.
Quick Answer
When you share your departure, you signal that you are preparing to leave a parking spot. Nearby drivers see a time-limited indicator showing where a spot will open shortly.
- CurbAI™ helps drivers understand whether a spot will be legal when it opens.
- Ticket Guard™ alerts drivers before time-based restrictions begin.
- Departure signals help drivers coordinate instead of compete.
The Moment Sharing Captures
The most valuable moment in street parking is not when a spot is already open.
It’s the moment just before — when a driver is still parked but preparing to leave.
Sharing your departure captures that brief window and makes it visible to others nearby.
Step-by-Step: How Sharing Your Departure Works
1. A Driver Prepares to Leave
The driver is finishing their stop, loading, or trip and knows they’re about to move.
2. The Departure Is Shared
The driver shares a departure signal indicating the spot will open shortly.
3. Nearby Drivers See the Signal
Drivers in the area see a real-time indicator on the map showing:
- Where the spot is
- That it will open soon
- That the information is time-limited
4. The Signal Expires Automatically
If the spot isn’t taken within a short window, the signal disappears.
This prevents stale or misleading information.
What Sharing Your Departure Does Not Do
Sharing your departure:
- Does not reserve a parking spot
- Does not give anyone priority access
- Does not identify the driver
It simply replaces uncertainty with awareness.
Why This Works Better Than Open-Spot Detection
Most parking tools show whether a spot is open right now.
In busy areas, that information is often already outdated.
By the time a spot appears open:
- Another driver may already be turning in
- Traffic may block access
- Competition increases stress and risk
Departure sharing shifts visibility earlier, when it still matters.
How Sharing Reduces Circling
Drivers circle when they lack early information.
When departures are visible:
- Drivers take fewer random loops
- Routes become more intentional
- Parking search time decreases
This directly reduces congestion caused by circling.
Sharing Your Departure vs. Sharing Your Parked Location
These features solve different problems.
- Sharing your departure is public, anonymous, and time-limited
- Sharing your parked location is private and sent only to trusted people
One helps drivers find parking. The other helps people find a car.
Why Drivers Choose to Share
Drivers share departures because:
- It takes only seconds
- It helps someone nearby immediately
- They benefit when others do the same
This creates a network where everyone parks more efficiently.
Designed for Calm Streets
Early awareness removes urgency.
Drivers don’t need to rush, block lanes, or make sudden turns.
Parking becomes calmer, safer, and more predictable.
Final Thoughts
Sharing your departure works because it aligns with real behavior.
Drivers already know when they’re about to leave. Sharing that moment helps others act earlier.
Spotlink turns that simple signal into real-time parking awareness that benefits drivers and cities.
FAQ
How long does a departure signal last?
Departure signals are time-limited and expire automatically if unused.
Does sharing a departure reserve the spot?
No. Parking remains first-come, first-served.
Is the driver identified when sharing?
No. Departure sharing is anonymous.
Does this work in busy areas?
Yes. It’s most effective where parking changes minute by minute.
Why does this reduce stress?
Because drivers gain early visibility instead of reacting at the last second.