Not sure what your curb has done for you lately? Not to worry. Your answer is arriving now, in the form of an equation devised by Uber and meant to help cities evaluate how efficiently they’re using this increasingly contested space. After years of neglect and scorn, this strip of urban infrastructure, long the sole domain of the meter maid, has gotten incredibly crowded. Bike- and scooter-share companies would love to park their wares there.

The latest in-depth coverage covering the intersection of technology and culture. WIRED’s award-winning journalism will help you make sense of a world in constant transformation. Join us as we explore the ways technology is changing our lives.