Program will allow drivers new way to pay to park

WASHINGTON -- Parking at a meter in D.C. without any change? No problem.

The D.C. Department of Transportation tells WTOP it is getting a pilot program ready that will allow drivers to pay to park using a cell phone.

"There are three different technologies that we are really looking at," says DDOT spokesperson John Lisle.

"The first involves a cell phone. You would pull into a spot, call a number and say 'hey, I'm parked in this space and I want to park for an hour.' We would even text you and tell you if your time was running out and you can add time."

Similar technology is also being tested in Montgomery County.

The other two kinds of new parking technology in the District involve a meter that a driver can pre-load with money and turn on and off when they park in a space.

The in-car meter can either be pre-loaded before parking, or a cell phone can be used to call a number and add time when the car is parked.

That kind of technology is already in place in Arlington with a system known as 'iPark.'

While the wrinkles in D.C.'s new parking programs are still being ironed out, DDOT says if they are successful, 10,000 single space meters at the end of their useful life can gradually be phased out.

Right now, the plan is to test this new technology in a number of locations around the city, including Dupont Circle. K Street and Union Station are also being talked about as possible locations.

DDOT hopes to have this new program up and running by the end of the year.

(Copyright 2009 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)