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Meter parking in certain parts of Park Slope Brooklyn can be pretty pricey. During peak times, between noon and 4 p.m., it costs $1.50 an hour, or one dollar more than it used to.

"From 4 to 7 [p.m.], it's a quarter for 20 minutes, and it's very hard because nobody can keep up. They give so many tickets," said restaurant employee Marzia Huaman.

The Department of Transportation raised rates in the neighborhood last May, as part of what was supposed to be a six-month pilot program called Park Smart. The goal was to make parking more available and create better traffic flow by cutting down on double parking.

"I understand their process, which is to keep people moving, but if you've got to run errands it doesn't make sense," said one local.

Some shop owners and restaurant employees here on Fifth Avenue said Park Smart has been stupid for business.

"It does impact the business at times. We have customers who can't find parking," said business owner Catia Grazia.

"It's brought it down a lot. Deliveries have gone up, but as far as people coming in, it's slowed down a lot," said Huaman.

Business owners said they see a lot more customers after 7 p.m., when parking is free.

Sources told NY1 that DOT officials are studying the results of the Park Smart pilot program and will share the findings when they are ready.

Until then, those who plan to park in Park Slope need to bring a lot of quarters, as the parking boxes do not take credit cards.