Chico Deploying Smart Meter Parking Tech

The city of Chico plans to install 450 smart meters in the core downtown area and four kiosks at two of the major city lots

2015-09-city-hall-719963_1280.jpg

By Ashley Gebb

Chico Enterprise-Record

Chico >> By August, parking will be a little smarter in downtown Chico.

Before the fall start of Chico State University, the city of Chico plans to install 450 smart meters in the core downtown area and four kiosks at two of the major city lots. At first, the meters will allow users to pay with credit cards and coins but eventually, the goal is to allow for dynamic pricing and pay-by-phone options.

“It’s very exciting for the downtown. This is something that has been talked about for years,” said Melanie Bassett, executive director of the Downtown Chico Business Association. “It’s how people manage their lives today. People use debit cards and credit cards to pay for everything — a lot don’t even carry change anymore. To me, this will be an added convenience to optimize retail vitality.”

Read full coverage here.