Metric Parking has just completed phase one of Madison Wisconsin’s three-phase plan to replace single space meters in their central business district.
The new Aura pay by space multi-space meters will replace 800 of the near 1,600 single space meters currently being used in the central business district. Phase one comprised 15 Aura pay by space meters that accept coins and credit/debit cards as forms of payment. The second phase will be 70m and the third 15m.
The city has used the phased approach to help users get accustomed to the new type of paid parking and to ensure the success of the concept. The city wants to provide convenience to their customers by offering multiple forms of payment and not worrying about having enough – or the correct – change to pay for parking.
All the Aura meters are being remotely monitored by the city using Metric’s Web ASLAN system. The back office system that is owned and operated by the city allows the city to remotely view the status of each machine and provide enforcement data via handheld units.
Dave Witts, president of Metric Group said: “The City of Madison has really taken all the steps to ensure that the product and service they have meets their needs and those of their customers. Metric worked closely with the city during this first phase to change some of the messages displayed and operation of the machines to better fit the users in Madison.
It has been clear to us at Metric that the City of Madison is concerned about their users and their acceptance of this technology as the new phase of parking payment for the city.”
Bill Knobeloch, parking operations manager of Madison said: “The meters have been well received with over 50,000 transactions, and over half of them credit card. It demonstrates a high customer demand for credit card payments. Parking enforcement officers notice an increased compliance rate in multi-space areas perhaps as a result of alternative forms of payment.”