Double Parking...On Purpose

Parking lots and garages could significantly increase their capacity for vehicles at low cost if they adopted a simple system of signs to facilitate the "self-stacking" of double-parking.

In the first layer could be parking spaces specifically for people that will be staying all day. They would park with the understanding that they would be blocked in until a certain time in the afternoon or evening. This time could vary from 4:00pm to 5:00pm to 6:00pm depending on the section or level. The vehicles in the second layer would park with the understanding that they must be gone an hour before the first layer's deadline, or else get a ticket or be towed.

This method would not require additional attendants or technology costs, just the repainting of some stripes and signs, and the adoption of the supporting social customs and schedules.

CATEGORY: Transportation / Business Idea

IDEATION: March 26, 2009

Color-changing Algae Stimulated by Satellite to Control the Weather

Genetically modify an algae or plankton to change color in response to an electromagnetic signal. Then beam the signal (microwave, radio, other?) from a geostationary satellite onto large areas of the ocean seeded with the algae.

The billions of color-changing organisms would effectively make the surface of the ocean darker or lighter such that it absorbs more or less heat from the sun. With this, you could create thermal updrafts, moving huge air masses when and where you want them. You could potentially create rain for irrigation of crops or wind for wind turbine farms. Hey, this might make a good plot for a James Bond movie...



CATEGORY: Energy / Technology
IDEATION: 2006.