The New York City Department of Transportation is set to begin a test phase where drivers can pay for parking using mobile payment technology. The pilot program will begin with 300 parking spaces over the next few months.
The system, already in use in Washington, DC and Atlanta, lets drivers pay for parking via their smartphones rather than utilizing a meter. Cool Hand Luke will have to find a new drunken activity.
Drivers register online first, and then download an app which allows them to enter the number of the meter they park at and how much time they would like to park there. Drivers can also text the information to the DOT.
One of the nicest features of the system is that it warns drivers when they are close to reaching their allotted time limit, and allows them to buy more time from wherever they are rather than returning to the meter.
[via Engadget]
