City begins testing ‘smarter’ parking meters

Downtown parking meters could be getting “smarter.”

The city of Sioux Falls is testing enhanced smart parking meters that could replace the ones that have been used since 2012.

The new ones offer multiple ways to pay, including cash, credit or debit cards, pay-by-phone and contactless payment, along with more efficiency, real-time data collection and 5G communications.

The city hasn’t settled on a company, though. So three meters are set up and available for use at 323 S. Phillips Ave. That’s south of 11th Street.

All three meters will remain up through February.

The final selection will be based on ease of use, ease of enforcement, maintenance requirements, five‑year cost projections and additional service requirements.

Try them out, and let the city know what you think.

Email [email protected] with feedback.