But with local news headlines on the touchscreen and cameras to catch parking scofflaws, two parking meters outside City Hall suggest the future of street parking in the city may be a lot more high tech.
"The use of technology is what we're really getting at," said Michael Brennan, head of parking services for the Department of Public Works and Parks. "That's been our goal, our mission, to continually seek out new devices and new technology that the customer will find customer friendly, and find easy to use."
Installed around the beginning of October, the city is testing two new parking meters that monitor four spaces across from Shangri La Restaurant on Front Street. Arranged like a double meter but incorporating a large touch screen, the pilot program meters are kind of a meter/kiosk hybrid.
The meters are hardwired to electricity (most digital meters are now solar and/or battery operated, Mr. Brennan said) enabling greater display functions and graphics. These include scrolling news headlines and informational displays -- for instance, the meters could display notification of a snow ban -- and a video demonstration of how to use the meter. Citizens can request an email receipt.
The technology also can be used to better generate and collect parking fees.
Sensors in the parking spaces can tell when a vehicle has left the spot, prompting the meter to reset even if there is time remaining.
Although the feature isn't activated in the pilot program, a camera in the meter can photograph the license plates of vehicles that have overstayed their time allotment. The photo could then be sent to the parking enforcement office for review and a citation.
As Mr. Brennan was showing off the machines Friday, it was clear, however, that there may be a bit of a learning curve for the technology.
"Oh, these are going to be a pain in the butt," muttered Ruth Recalde of Worcester, as Mr. Brennan tried to help her pay with a credit card. They eventually switched to quarters.
But Andre Gray, of Boston, had no trouble, except with the meter's aesthetic.
"It's fine, it worked," Mr. Gray said. "They look a little bit ungainly but other than that they get the job done."
Across the street, Rosie Velez fed a digital parking meter that the new meters may replace.
"If a 1 out of 5, I'd say a three," Ms. Velez said in rating the meter she was using. She suggested that meters should send a text message to drivers when the expiration time was near.
Mr. Brennan said such customer feedback is helpful for determining whether the city should move ahead with the meters. But he said the big test for him would come with winter's cold, snow and ice.
"The key to success in technology is to make it very simple, very clear," Mr. Brennan said. "If it's confusing or unclear, you get a ticket, you have a bad experience. And we want everyone coming to Worcester to have a positive experience."
©2016 Telegram & Gazette, Worcester, Mass. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
