The Rockville Town Square Parking Shuffle
Mar 13, 2008 9:06 - 4 Comments
On my way to yesterday’s >enjoyable lunch with the Rockville Roundtable, I thought it would be a fine opportunity to put Town Square’s new paid-parking system through its paces. I had been waiting for this day — anyone who knows me knows I love new gadgets. I see this new parking system as a giant new gadget.
Indeed, I had already become enamored with the little green-and-red lights above each spot that let me figure out just where to park (although they encourage me to drive faster than I should in the parking garages because I no longer have to examine each space to see if it’s empty). Just find a green lamp and pull in! How cool is that?
So, I was excited that, today, I would add a new machine into the mix: the pay station. The fact that I was paying to park didn’t bother me, as I am not someone who believes that parking should necessarily be free. And the apparent complexity of the system didn’t faze me because I love a technological challenge.
But I have to admit that, even knowing the procedure going in, I was little confused at first about what I was supposed to do. So, in case you are in the same boat, here it is all broken down.
- First, I parked, by finding a spot with a little green light glowing above it. I remembered my space number (in this case, #153) and looked for the “pay station,” which was at the nearest pedestrian exit.
- I walked up to the pay station, which had a blank screen. I pushed a button (any button will do) and the screen came to life, offering me English or Spanish. I chose English, then entered spot number 153.
- Then the screen offered me two options. I could either pay for a maximum of four hours of parking, or choose fifteen minutes free to go to the Library. Since I was going to be having lunch, I went for option #1 (I’ll try out the Library system sometime soon and let you know how it goes).
- Then the machine asked me how long I planned to stay. I chose 2 hours. I then was able to either insert dollar bills or use a credit card to pay. I admit I was ecstatic to be able to use a card — I hate feeding money into machines because half the time I get rejected. I must be hard on cash or something.
- So, anyway, I paid, satisfied with myself for having done so well. And I waited, staring at the machine for something to happen. I got an “authorized” screen, but then . . . nothing. What was up? I took a step back and put my hands on my hips.
Then I noticed a little receipt had fluttered down behind a window ‘wayyy down at the bottom of the machine. I reached in and grabbed it.
I remembered from the parking tutorial that, if I wanted to add time to my stay, I would need the code printed on this receipt. I took it and went off to lunch.
You see, what was confusing me was that there was no parking ticket. We’ve been conditioned to think that when we’re paying for parking there needs to be some sort of ticket that you take, and then use to get out of the garage. The ticket either is literally your ticket out, or it’s proof you paid. This system does away with all that, and it will take getting used to.
Here in Town Square, there’s no ticket. So, be forewarned: you will very likely be subliminally expecting to get a ticket out of the “pay station” when you purchase parking. It’s just what we’re used to. But, you won’t get one.
Instead, think of the pay station as a fancy parking meter. Or perhaps an automated parking attendant. When you park at a meter, you decide ahead of time how long you plan to stay, and you insert the right amount of money. You’re doing the same thing here, only at a central spot.
At first I was frustrated and thought this a silly departure from how we conventionally park. But now I think it’s a good idea, though it will take getting used to. Having a central walk-up pay station and no “ticket” means there is no bottleneck either coming or going. During busy times, there won’t be a line of cars waiting to get out of the gate, nor will there be a line of cars waiting to come in. So that’s a good thing.
At the Rockville Roundtable lunch, a manager of one of the Town Square businesses was there and we all got to talking about parking. Here are a few suggestions that perhaps could be implemented as we move forward:
- The basic unit of parking is one hour, for one dollar. Why not break it into 30 minute increments? Lots of people might go over one hour but not even approach two full hours.
- Make it clearer where the pay stations are. I knew what I was looking for and still had to look around.
- Make big signs that tell people they need to pay. Lots of folks are conditioned to NOT pay for parking. We put up good signage warning people they were going to have to pay, but then when Monday rolled around there were no signs reminding people that they now HAD to pay. Just a small thing.
- Stick a big sign on the machines that reminds people to take their receipt. While you’re at it, stick a big sign on the machines that explain how to pay for parking. But, see below.
- Because the system is a little complicated and also is different than most people are used to, it would be a good idea to reexamine all the signs and brochures to make sure they are all saying the same thing, offering the same instructions — and that those instructions are as simple as they possibly can be but don’t omit any steps or assume knowledge that people don’t have.
So, overall, I have to admit I was a bit surprised at how complicated I found parking, but it was not a deal-breaker for me. I understand the advantages of this system. It’s just going to take some getting used to.
The City, and the folks running the parking operations, should take that into account and work extra hard at being extra clear — because I am sure there will be a few bumps in the road at first!
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>Rockville Central friend Ruth Hanessian sent along an excellent comment/question (I have bolded the key bit)
“I too was curious about the new system. I parked in a handicapped spot and then noticed that it did have a number so I went to the machine. My machine spoke Spanish but the friendly gentleman there translated for me. The machine wanted my dollar an hour but when I questioned the issue, he said ‘Oh, you can park anywhere for free with a handicapped tag.’ Is that true or is it just in handicapped designated spots (which by the way are not properly signed in the ‘grocery’ lot)?”
Thanks, Ruth!
And here’s another comment! This is from Council Member >Piotr Gajewski:
Like Brad, I was curious to test the new system. I set out on Monday, the very first day of operation, a little nervous, and keenly aware that I bear a significant responsibility for the launch of this new diabolical intrusion (unlike Brad, I tend to be gadget challenged).
I made a point of NOT reading any of the available advice or materials beforehand. If the system is to work, it has to stand on its own, I reasoned.
As I pulled into a parking space, I was a little late for my appointment. For a moment, I almost chickened out and considered parking for free, cynically recalling from a Mayor and Council meeting that for the first two weeks only warnings will be issued to those who don’t pay. But then sanity prevailed and I set out to confront one of the machines.
I am not sure how I knew to note my space number. Was there a sign I read, perhaps? In any case, I approached one of the pay machines. I think the first instruction I saw was to enter my space number. I started to do that and realized that my entry was ignored as the only result was that the machine came to life.
From then on, I followed the directions on the screen (like an ATM), deposited two dollar bills (no problem) and completed the transaction. Like Brad, I paused before I figured out where to find the receipt. Nevertheless, the whole transaction took less than a minute and I was on my way.
Later that evening, at the Mayor and Council meeting, I found out that my two dollars contributed to a first day take of over four thousand dollars. We’re beginning to get the Rockville taxpayer off the hook. Good deal!
Thanks Piotr!
Even though I had told my ESL student many times prior to Monday that money was required to park starting on March 10th, I still had to walk her back to her car and walk her through the entire process of using the new machine. She speaks Chinese and the machine was a real challenge. >
Last week we both had a tutorial from a city employee we just happened to run into. I think without the tutorial it would have taken me much longer to process the instructions. It also took me a long time to find the “Ticket #” required for free library parking. I thought the print for such an important piece of information was awfully small.
All in all, I like the new system. I don’t like having to pay for parking but I don’t disagree with it. Besides, having to pay will force me to walk more, which I should be doing anyway.
I have one suggestion though. There should be 10 minute free parking outside of Starbucks. My husband stopped at 7:10 Monday morning to buy a cup of coffee. When he got back to his car there was a warning posted on his windshield that he needed to pay for parking. He will now be buying coffee elsewhere.
I agree, there should be smaller increments than an hour. 30 minutes makes a lot of sense, especially at a dollar an hour. As for library parking, as far as I can tell, ignore whatever someone tells you about entering the “coupon” number from your ticket when using the machine inside the library. There is a big paper sign that says use “50″ as the coupon number. When I was there yesterday there were 5 people in line trying to validate free parking. They kept entering the wrong coupon number, and when the correct numbers were entered, it took minutes..yes, minutes..for a receipt to print and drop into the little box.>
Question…are there pay stations other than those in the garages, and where are they? If not, then the system is no better than meters and other remote garages. Who wants to leave a restaurant and go all the way back to the garage to extend parking time? That is why many people stopped going to Bethesda.