Two scientists from the Santa Fe Institute and Boston University published their findings in the ‘Journal of Statistical Mechanics’.

Three parking strategies were tested in their research The “meek strategy” is used by drivers who take the first open parking spot they see, regardless of how far away it is from the entrance. The “prudent strategy” is used by drivers who take the best spot between the first open spot they see and the first parked car that they see.

The “optimistic strategy” is used by drivers who wait for a parking spot to open up that is as close as possible to the entrance.

According to the research and experiments, the “prudent strategy” works the best Sidney Redner, Study Author, via Mental Floss.