Smart Parking and the Parking Meter- How Meters are Changing to Meet the Needs of the Modern Driver
The face of parking is changing as drivers and society is moved to a more technologically advanced one. Parking meters are also morphing to include more faucets of technology turning them into powerful machines that go beyond just the pay aspect. These smart meters are playing a critical role in delivering a smart parking experience through the ability to pay in multiple methods. They can also be used to manage parking subscriptions and parking fines.
Parking Meters Turned ‘Smart’
The first parking meter was developed in the 1920’s as a way to manage parking in high volume areas. These were simple machines that charged only a nickel an hour. Parking meters are used all across the world in both rural and urban areas as a way to enforce on-street parking policies and a way to increase revenues.
The more modern parking meters are an integral part of the smart or digital parking systems. The movement to these digital meters is due in part to the shift in how the average person spends money. Cashless payments are becoming more common with cash transactions lowering. People are using phones, cards, and other forms of digital payments to pay bills. Parking is making the switch to meet those needs of cashless payments. Smart meters are able to make cashless transactions through NFC technologies, e-wallets, chips, and SMS payment modes.
How Digital Parking Meters Function
The use of digital parking meters is done through an advanced system of device and equipment communication. When a car comes to a parking area, the system will record data information like license plate number or an ID number through the cloud based application system. The system will then either recognize the user, grant access as a guest, or deny access to the facility based on the coded information in the system. These meters can also be programmed to notify an owner of an expiring parking pass, a fine, or allow for the update to a parking space through a payment to extend the time. All of this is completed through either the digital parking meter or a cloud based application.
Countless Benefits of Digital Parking Meters
There are several benefits of the smart parking meter for a facility no matter the application- like residential, commercial, small, and large. The benefits of the system are a diversification of payment methods, tracking patterns and traffic, the ability to make informed decisions, charging the correct amount for parking, and an improved enforcement of the facility.
| Benefit | Why it is so awesome |
| Different methods of payment | Allows for the flexible payment through cards or phone based app payments like apple pay, samsung pay, and more. |
| Tracking patterns in the facility | Provides a 24/7 monitoring of the facility and collects data in order to predict traffic and available spaces |
| Better decision making ability | Provides a powerful tool for data analysis and key decision making in order for a parking re or facility to be managed appropriately |
| Correct charge to parking | Eliminates the guesswork and charges only for the time in the facility- users are not over charged for their visit |
| Improved enforcement | The system records every transaction and vehicle so that parking enforcement can quickly pull up the information for that specific vehicle. |
Overall the integration of a digital parking meter is a step into the 21st century as more and more consumers are using smartphones and smart cars to complete everyday tasks. The integration of technology into the parking facility is key in the success and better management of parking for all involved. Digital parking meters are essential to the smooth operation of a parking area making the switch to a ‘smart’ platform.
With smart parking technology, clients and management can better communicate and provide better services. ParkingBadge is available with some of these amazing features as well as, an apple store IOS parking app to better manage the parking for both management and clients.
Interested in finding out more information about ParkingBadge’s innovative free parking management software and parking enforcement software? Please visit- https://parkingbadge.com/request-demo/
