Here's one possible solution to all the growling and chest-pounding over parking meters in downtown Fresno: a meter that calls you to let you know when your time is about to expire, and gives you a chance to pony up more money to keep yourself legal.
The meters, called PhotoViolationMeter, are the product of the Photo Violation Technologies Corp. They're currently being tested in Vancouver and Niagara Falls, after what its boosters call a successful test run in San Francisco. The meters accept ATM or credit cards in addition to change.
The meter even serves as a Wi-Fi hotspot: If you're sitting in your car at one, you've got Internet access.
If you do get a ticket, you can pay the fine right there at the meter. And here's something to interest cities concerned about scofflaws who park, get a ticket and don't pay: The meter will take a photo of a violator's license plate so the car can be traced.
Of course, this technology won't satisfy those who think that in Fresno -- unlike any other city in North America -- free parking is a birthright. But it would sort out some of the other issues.
While I don't think free parking is a birth right, I would be curious to know how much money the city gets from parking meters and parking tickets annually, and what percentage of the annual budget for the City those dollars are.
Parking is a difficult question everywhere. I think not having to worry about carrying small change would be great. In many cities residents can purchase a key for the meters that works like a smart card. They can put on the meter what they need and when it runs down the system simply charges a flat fee to the credit card associated with the key. The meters still take change for those without keys, but the ease of use is wonderful.
Multiple payment options are great though, and so is free WIFI. What is the range of that WIFI?
Love the idea of a smart meter, but I have a suggestion that's much lower tech: expand and promote Parking Meter Cards. I love using mine, it saves the worry of having enough change and since I'd rather pay an extra fifty cents or more for an extra hour or two to avoid a ticket, it's made life much easier.
And you can write off parking since you pay your twenty bucks or however much you want at one time. the biggest problem is that there is only one place to buy a card -- at City Hall. If they were available at the library or a few other spots, more folks might use them?
I've never heard of those Parking Meter Cards, and I now work downtown. Care to tell us a little more about them, Cynthia?
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