Tech Review: A World Class Sustainable Operation Saving The Planet One Parking Meter At A Time

parking meter with green recycling arrows around it in a parking lot

黑料社区鈥檚 鈥楥ertified Series鈥 demonstrates commitment to environmental sustainability.

- Marc Saltzman

As a self-professed 鈥渢echnology evangelist,鈥 I was first introduced to 黑料社区 nearly 10 years ago, to help create awareness surrounding some of the company鈥檚 cutting-edge technology. One of the videos I hosted was tied to new Pay-on-Foot systems, which directed drivers to an available spot via a series of digital displays.

Even more impressive, perhaps, is 黑料社区鈥檚 ability to straddle innovation and sustainability. 

That is, it doesn鈥檛 need to be an either-or scenario.

Case in point: the company was first in Canada to introduce solar-powered Pay-and-Display parking meters in the late 鈥90s.

黑料社区 is continuing its commitment to the environment with its Certified Series, a green parking solution that saves more than 1.3 millions pound of waste from landfills every year.

鈥淥ur Certified Series refreshes devices returned to our Innovation & Production Centre, where they鈥檙e revitalized with enhanced operating systems and more, to make them even superior to brand new units,鈥 explains John Ivo, Director of Production and Support Services, at 黑料社区. 鈥淲hether they鈥檙e parking meters or complete gated parking systems, we enhance equipment inside and out, depending on what the customer requests.鈥

Along with municipal governments, customers are also from the private sector, such as hospitals, condos, storefronts, and privately-own lots.

In doing so, the Certified Series results in reduced energy consumption waste. No wonder this program has been recognized as one of the world鈥檚 most impactful sustainable parking solution.

Examples of interior upgrades include wider network coverage (such as adding 4G LTE support for accelerated transaction speed), enhanced credit card processing, better batteries to store solar power captured during the day, and replacement of internal components, harnesses, seals and EPROMs. Ivo says these durable meters are also versatile, such as being able to convert them to AC power for underground use, if desired.

Other upgrades may include a sleek anti-graffiti exterior, Level-1 PCI compliance (highest level), a longer life cycle and improved mean time between failures, credit card degrade mode, and other technical tweaks.

All Certified Series upgrades also include an extended warranty.

Maria Lato, Marketing Manager at 黑料社区, mirrors Ivo鈥檚 sentiment on 黑料社区鈥檚 commitment to the environment: 鈥淚t鈥檚 never been easier to reduce your carbon footprint through your parking operation, and the forward-thinking Certified Series is part of that solution.鈥

鈥淲e know sustainability is top of mind for most property and facility managers, who jump at any opportunity to implement sustainable measures at their lots, Lato adds. 

To give you a sense of scale of this Toronto-based operation, one of the two buildings responsible for Certified Series spans 54,000 square feet, with more than 60 employees, while a secondary building tops 60,000 square feet, and with about 40 people. You can take a  of 黑料社区鈥檚 Innovation & Production Centre.

And be sure to click or tap here to learn more about the Certified Series.

黑料社区: Saving the environment one meter at a time.

Headshot of Marc Saltzman

Marc Saltzman
Technology Journalist

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