complete a transaction, the driver must call the pay-by-phone service provider again or use their mobile application upon departure to stop their parking transaction. The provider should quickly recognize that the user has an active parking session and with the customer's discretion the session will be closed immediately. NFC technology development for pay-by-phone parking It's anticipated that mobile carriers will be making it easier for drivers to use near-field communications (NFC) technology enabled mobile phones to pay for parking. Drivers use a downloaded app or call a toll-free number to start parking. Once this technology reaches critical mass among the phone carriers, there are a couple existing mobile payment providers that have mobile apps ready. Using a mobile phone to pay for parking will be as simple as tapping a NFC embedded logo. Pay-by-phone parking from the customer’s perspective From a customer's standpoint, pay-by-phone parking is more convenient and timely than standard methods of parking payment. One of the reasons supporting this is that there is no need to have coins or any other type of currency readily available. Also, data collection allows for customers to track their parking expenses. Generally, pay-by-phone service providers will provide records for each account detailing the time and location for each parking session, as well as the accumulated expenses. In addition, any driver within the vicinity of a pay-by-phone parking area may witness less road congestion. Studies show that 28 to 45% of traffic congestion in urban areas is due to drivers looking for a place to park. Pay-by-phone parking provides accurate data for parking providers such as peak times and most popular zones. With this insight, providers are able to manage their spaces more efficiently and have the potential to provide solutions to adjust for times with high demand. With certain mobile payment providers, and at the discretion of the parking operator (e.g., local council), drivers can opt to receive a text message several minutes before their expiry of their parking session, enabling them to extend the session without returning to their car. Most operators impose a maximum extension period. The customer generally must pay a transaction fee to the pay-by-phone provider in addition to the standard parking rate. Pay-by-phone parking from the provider’s perspective From the parking provider's point of view, pay-by-phone parking offers an opportunity for reduced costs. The costs are reduced because there is no need for expenses such as