Twelve new high-tech parking meters were installed Jan. 2 on the University of Idaho campus as part of a 90-day trial. The trial ends April 2, but parking services is still looking for student feedback.
Philip Vukelich | Argonaut
Diana Hicke pays a SmartMeter between the Administration lawn and the Lionel Hampton School of Music Building before taking her children to lessons. More SmartMeters are located across from Life Sciences South.
Stuart Robb, parking services supervisor, said the new meters have the added option of paying with a debit or credit card at certain pay-to-park areas around campus.
“We are demoing these new meters to see if they are worth it or not to use on the rest of campus,” Robb said.
Robb said the meters are helping the UI campus go green with the solar panels that are installed on each one. He said they are advanced as far as technology goes, and they will help parking and transportation track usage of the meters to see if they are effective.
Robb said there is a survey online for students to take which will not only give students a 20 percent discount on their next VandalStore purchase, but will also aid in the decision of whether or not more meters will be installed across the campus.
“If things don’t work, we don’t know if you don’t tell us,” Robb said.
The new meters are installed in parking lot 53 (on University Avenue directly south of Life Science South) and lot 102 (on-street parking on Blake Avenue near the music building). Robb said the new meters are enforced from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. He said the starting rate is $1.50 per hour, but depending on the feedback, that may change along with the enforcement time.
Robb said there is a video online explaining how to use the meters for anyone who may be confused about them.
Erik Fink can be reached at [email protected]
