The new meters accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards in addition to coins or pay-by-cell phone.
The meters use a solar-powered battery system with a highly visible expiration time indicator. They have real-time communication capabilities, allowing web-based identification of broken meters and instant processing of credit card transactions that use the highest level of security. Information in the meter window displays parking rates, hours and days when payment is required and notes parking restrictions.
The changeover to new meters reused existing meter poles and the lower part of the meter head. The display portion of the meter and its internal workings were replaced with the new technology.
