'Pay-By-Plate' Parking Meters Bring Windfall to Pittsburgh

The power of modern parking technology is on display on the streets of Pittsburgh.

1 minute read

May 5, 2016, 11:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Parking Meter Fail

Luis Tamayo / Flickr

Four years after installing "pay-by-plate meters" around the city, Target 11 news in Pittsburgh is hailing the system as a success. Moreover, "taxpayers are reaping the benefits," according to the article.

The multi-space meters take credit cards instead of the coin-operated meters of yesteryear. "Target 11’s Rick Earle learned that the Pittsburgh Parking Authority generated $5.5 million in 2011 from the old meters, but with the newer ones in place, the figure skyrocketed to $17.1 million last year."

According to the article that accompanies a television report, the additional funds have helped finance two new parking garages in addition to funding the operations of the Pittsburgh Parking Authority and sending the rest of the revenue to the city's general funds.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016 in Target 11

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of Shirley Chisholm Village four-story housing development with person biking in front.

San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning

SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.

June 8, 2025 - Fast Company

Yellow single-seat Japanese electric vehicle drivign down road.

The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs

The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.

June 6, 2025 - PC Magazine

White Waymo autonomous car driving fast down city street with blurred background at night.

Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars

Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.

June 16 - Smart Cities Dive

Two small wooden one-story homes in Florida with floodwaters at their doors.

As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?

With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.

June 16 - Governing

People riding bicycles on separated bike trail.

With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike

For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.

June 16 - UNM News