SmartMeters

Parking and Transportation Services is piloting 12 new card and coin accepting parking meters in two locations on campus in order to provide more parking payment options for customers and improved service. These state-of-the art meters are solar powered and gather valuable data about parking occupancy. The 12 meters were installed on Jan. 2, and are located in parking lot 53 (on University Avenue directly south of Life Sciences South) and in parking lot 102 (on-street parking on Blake Avenue near the Lionel Hampton School of Music). The new meters are part of a pilot program and will remain at these locations for 90 days, during which time PTS will collect customer feedback, operational costs and data, revenues, and other necessary data to determine if purchasing new meters is appropriate at this time.

Receive 20% off your Vandal gear purchase at the VandalStore when you give us your feedback on your experience using the new meters. Take the survey now.

What are the step-by-step instructions for using the SmartMeters?

• Watch video on How to Use IPS SmartMeters

Why are we trying out SmartMeters and what are the benefits?

• Increasing options and convenience for our customers: SmartMeters allow both credit/debit card payment, as well as coin
• Improved customer experience, improved functionality: the existing campus meters are 10-15 years old and are increasingly experiencing failures and coin reading errors
• Reduced costs and sustainable power source: the existing meters use 1 or 2 9-volt batteries, the SmartMeters use solar power to recharge batteries, allows for reduced time and material costs incurred to replace meters multiple times per year
• Advanced technology allows for improved financial auditing
• Improved management of meter parking: new meters come with a web based data management system that will allow PTS to instantly access extensive reporting tools and gain better understanding of parking trends in order to manage accordingly
• Web based system allows for real-time communications and updates on the meters for prices, enforcement hours and display messages
• Simple, low cost installation: no need for costly retrofitting or meter post removal, new meters will be installed by PTS employees and simply placed on existing posts

Is credit/debit card information secured?

• Yes, the meters and process center is Level 1PCI-DSS certified. No credit card data is retained in the meter

Will the meter rates and/or parking times change with the new meters?

• Currently meters and pay-to-park areas on campus range from 60 cents to $1.50 per hour. The SmartMeters will be $1.50 per hour from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 75 cents per hour from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday
• PTS will monitor usage of the meters and hourly rates will be determined based on demand
• The new meters require payment from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, initially there will be no limits on the amount of time purchased by an individual at one time (an individual may pay to park in the same space for the entire day), but limitations on parking time will be adjusted to meet demand