Little is left to chance in the brave new world of parking technology. Meters are triggered by remote sensors and customers pay for street time by cellphone. And soon you may be able to forget about rubbing the traffic officer's chalk mark off your tires because your apt to be foiled by parking enforcement vehicles outfitted with GPS-enabled cameras that scan your license plate to reveal how long you have occupied the space. Wire grids are being installed under the pavement in some places to trigger sensors whenever a car pulls in. The information can be sent wirelessly via radio signals to traffic enforcers so they know when time runs out on any parking spot in town. The meter resets itself as soon as the car pulls away, so the next car has to pay the full fee. In Sacramento, California, officials have solved the turnover problem by booting cars that repeatedly overstay their street time. Yes, it seems we are entering "a brave new world."
Hmm, no coin slots? Arthur, let's hope these high-tech meters charge only for the exact time a car is parked, or give refunds or credits for time bought but unused. Would rather see this technology used to fight terrorism.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous . . . My, My, You are a dreamer.
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