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Craig Maxwell
The world began its hate-hate relationship with the parking meter in 1935, when inventor Carl Magee installed the first one in Oklahoma City. Long a glorified coin-op clock, the device today is more akin to a cell phone or a laptop. Packed with software, wireless transmitters, and automated ticket-writing functions, all-digital meters have hit the streets in the US, Australia, and Asia. Look for machines in Oakland, California; Washington, DC; and other budget-stressed cities as bureaucrats turn to high tech parking monitors to boost revenue.
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Craig Maxwell
1. Takes All Kinds of Money This smart meter, made by Australia's Reino, accepts payment by coin, credit card, or cell phone. To pay by phone, dial a toll-free line, then enter your space number and how much time you want on the meter. Reino docks your credit card and beams a message to the meter authorizing the transaction. When your time's about up, Reino sends a text message to your cell, offering a chance to re-up.
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Craig Maxwell
2. Is Seldom Out of Order If a machine malfunctions or detects someone trying to pry open its cash box, it sends a message to Reino. The system analyzes the problem and alerts a technician.
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Craig Maxwell
3. Jacks Up Rates on the Fly Parking officials can log on to a Web site and reconfigure the system to, say, charge more during business hours. The server will broadcast the new rates to all the meters in a particular neighborhood. The meter keeps a running tally of the day's receipts – sent wirelessly to Reino – allowing auditors to discourage sticky-fingered collection officers and detect any discrepancies when the cash is counted. Officials can monitor each unit's take in real time. If they notice a drop-off in revenue, they can adjust the rates accordingly.
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Craig Maxwell
4. Makes Ticket-Writing Easier The race to beat the parking police is getting tougher. One Reino meter can administer up to 10 spaces. Enforcement officers equipped with handhelds can instantly check the status of each spot by beaming the data from the meter's infrared port. The Reino also helps streamline ticket-writing by delivering preformatted violation information – such as time, date, and location – to the officer's palmtop. – Todd Woody
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The Meter Maid's New Best Friend
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