Presh Talwalkar, who has created one of the best blogs on mathematics and game theory on the web (Mind Your Decisions), recently wrote up this blog post on parking space strategy. It includes this interesting excerpt from the book Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do:
It seems that the people who actively look for the “best” parking place inevitably spend more total time getting to the store than those people who simply grab the first spot they see * * * [Researchers] observed two distinct strategies: “cycling” and “pick a row, closest space.” They compared the results. “What was interesting,” [lead researcher Andrew Velkey found], “was although the individuals cycling were spending more time driving looking for a parking space, on average they were no closer to the door, time-wise or distance-wise, than people using ‘pick a row, closest space.’”
So, what strategy do you use when you are searching for an elusive parking space (on campus, at the mall, downtown, etc.) and why? Do you follow the same strategy each time, or do you use a mixed strategy, “cycling” on some days and “picking a row” on others?
(As an aside, as far as prior probability is concerned, since we like walking, and since we also prefer corner parking spaces to “sandwich” spaces, prior probability actually searches for the furthest parking space possible from the door. This reduces our search time, though it increases our walk time.)
prior probability 
I usually look for the farthest corner spot also. I would rather not have dings and scratches in my doors than a short walk. I also find this strategy saves time in actually getting to where I am trying to go.
I have a friend who rides around just to get a close spot. Not me, I’d rather walk far than ride around wasting time looking for a close spot. I park in the first available spot or if I’m with my husband a shady corner spot.
I prefer the pick a row, and choose the most appealing parking space method. As a matter of personal policy, its better for your well-being to take a few extra steps. Less time sitting and more time walking is much healthier.
I prefer the method via “The Secret” prior to entering the parking lot I envision a close spot and the universe guides me right to an opening just about every time I request it and send the signal out into the world.
I love the comments. As a child, I still remember my parents essentially choosing the “cycling” strategy and how infuriated I would become by all the time wasted searching for a close spot. Little did I know that I would be blogging about this so many years later!
It depends where I am. If at a shopping mall or large school campus, I will just grab the first spot I can find. If I see no available spots I will follow someone who is walking to their car, of course I ask them if they are leaving before I proceed to follow them. If I am looking for a spot at a less crowded area, I would also prefer a corner spot to avoid dings. I also look for a spot in the shade since I have black leather interior on my car.