Numerous solar-powered pay machines that resemble ATM's are cropping up in and around downtown Minneapolis.
Throughout several phases, the city is installing a slick 'smart' parking meter system much like those in bigger cities such as Chicago or Los Angeles, according to city information. They're replacing the old meters, which are getting too old to use.
The multi-space parking meters, which link to the city's wireless network, can accept credit cards, not just coins.
So far, 46 pay stations that relate to about 430 spaces have gone into the
North Loop area. A couple have also been placed near the
Minneapolis Convention Center. Another 400 will follow in 2011 and 2012.
Ultimately, they'll cover about 4,500 of 6,800 metered spaces throughout the city, according to city traffic engineer Tim Drew.
People will pay for numbered spots at any nearby multi-space meter, which will usually be located mid-block. The arrangement will come in especially handy when someone needs to add money from a distance or if a machine breaks down, he says.
The new machines track meter time, which can also be checked from any pay station. Parking time limits will be the same as before. "It tells you when you need to be back," he says, adding that with step-by-step prompts, the machines are self-explanatory.
Further, the new pay stations will reject money during restricted times. For instance, in the tow-away zones, "It tells you it's rush hour," he says, adding that it won't take payment. As a result, he says, "It's much harder to get towed."
The new meters also streamline the city's collection process. First, money from the meters will be retrieved monthly instead of weekly. The machines will report wirelessly when vaults are full, which is likely to be less often because of the credit card option.
Overall the $6.6 million project will be paid within three years by the revenue it generates, Drew says.
Source: Tim Drew, Minneapolis Public Works
Writer: Anna Pratt