The University has begun to install new solar-powered digital meter stations, which accept both coins and credit cards, to replace the individual coin-operated meters. The switch at Carolina, part of the University’s 2011-16 Five-Year Transportation and Parking Plan, will allow the Transportation and Parking to better serve their customers.
New Parking Meter Technology
Digital meters are widely used in municipal areas, including downtown Chapel Hill, and are becoming commonplace on college campuses nationwide because of the potential for increased efficiency.
“The new meters tie into our overall parking system and will provide important data to help us understand which spaces are being used most frequently and the peak times they are used,” said Cheryl Stout, director of Transportation and Parking. “We’re really talking about a data management system that can help us understand more about our parking capacity and what we’re likely to need down the road.”
Pay-by-phone
The meters also tie into pay-by-phone technology, which means you can use your mobile phones to pay for parking and add extra time without having to return to the pay station. You can access your transactions online and can choose to have your parking receipt emailed to you. All you have to do is to create a Parkmobile account with your name, license plate, credit card number and mobile phone number. Then you can manage your payments by calling a dedicated number or downloading the Parkmobile app (coming soon).
Digital Meters 101
Step 1
Press Keypad
Press any button on the keypad to begin.
Step 2
Follow Prompts
Follow directions on the screen to purchase a ticket.
Step 3
Make Payment
Make a secure payment by credit card or with quarters.
Step 4
Take Receipt
Don’t forget to take your receipt.