Smart Meters to be Tested at the Pier Lots
Have you ever pulled into a parking space, but found yourself short on quarters wishing you had an option other than digging through your car seats or asking the nearest business for change? Well, you're not alone, and the City is working to find solutions to this problem.

Beginning in early 2010, test meters will be installed in the upper and lower Pier parking lots, and will remain there through the end of the summer. These meters will accept alternative payments such as credit cards, debit cards (with a Visa/Mastercard symbol), and eventually a smart card technology. The test meters will be new technology individual space meters which will be located at each parking space in both the northern Pier lots. The purpose of the test period is to gather feedback on the user-friendliness of the meters and to see how well they perform in our coastal climate.

For more information on these meters, please review the Staff Report (PDF) from the November 3, 2009 City Council meeting.

Your Opinion Counts
If the tests prove successful, one of these technologies will be selected for permanent installation at the Pier. The test results will also help determine if the meters may be appropriate for citywide implementation in the future.

After parking in one of the northern Pier lots, please complete the Parking Survey.  To begin the survey, click on the link below:

• Meter (single space)