Empirical Evidence on Imperfect Information in the Parking Market

Abstract

The main focus of the literature on the economics of parking has been on the cruising-for-parking externality and garage market power. However, all studies to date assume the existence of perfect information. Yet, imperfect information may well arise as drivers: (1) may not be aware of all the options available in their choice set; and (2) lack the information required to evaluate them, thus exacerbating the aforementioned distortions. We provide compelling evidence for the existence of information frictions in this market by examining the case of Barcelona, and we test whether users' lack of knowledge translates into undesirable market outcomes.