On March 21, the Borough started a 90-day trial of 20 single-space parking meters and one multi-space kiosk that accept credit card payments. The single-space parking meters accept both credit cards and coins, while the multi-space kiosk also accepts cash. Not only will the new payment options make parking revenue more efficient, but people will also be able avoid parking tickets when they are lacking quarters.

The Borough hopes to make parking easier Downtown through the implementation of these new parking meters. This trial will help the Borough Department determine which types of meters work best in specific locations within Downtown State College. Funding for the replacement of the old coin-operated on-street meters with smart meters is allocated in the 2016 Borough operating budget.

The installation of smart meters in other college towns has resulted in real savings in operational efficiencies and growth in revenue. The new meters are easier to maintain than the old coin meters. The trial meters, provided by IPS Group, have shown greater than 98% up-time in previous case studies and are designed to automatically call for repair if they are vandalized or malfunctioned.

CLICK HERE to read the full press release published by the Borough on the new parking meters.

IPS Smart Meter M5 How-To from IPS Smart Meters on Vimeo.