Talk:Parking Meter

Modern electronic parking meters were sold to many cities with the promise of reduced maintance and lower operating costs as unskilled labor could service the meter reducing training for meter service.The former mechanical meters were complex assemblies consisting of a clockwork timer,a number of spring loaded levers,wheels,cams in a cast metal assembly which was (re-)powered (wound)every time the handle was turned.The life of a mechanical meter with regular service was only limited to enviromental factors,primarly vandalism,although other factors such as filling up with coins,etc.matter.These factors are common to all parking meters. Electronic meters have an inherent flaw as they run on batteries,and the life of the battery is a variable based on useage,tempature and meter voltage,etc. For example, meters located in front of a post office or a 7-11 have rapid parking turn over(15min.limit)vs.shopping/commerical areas(2hour limit) or lots (at 10hours). As the battery life drops the meter misbehaves,by not registering the coin,showing FAIL on the read out.Almost every citizen will deposit another coin which then registers. This inflates revenues so the meter company then sells the meter to other cities with the enhanced revenues as a major selling point.The meter companies are aware of this condition,and cities do also.How to tell if your city is stealing from your citizens:assuming regular maintance(you can check records)the meter revenue can be checked(several years to reduce variables)and compared to present electronic meter revenues. A major increase is a sure sign. City parking spaces are stable in number in most cities. Now most cities adjust rates soon after E-meters are installed to prevent direct comparison as well as pay for the now endless need for batteries.Thats another scam but i must go now.The citizen needs a friend and i am a friendly citizen!