SPECIFICATIONS FOR MULTIPLE-SPACE
ELECTRONIC PARKING METERS
1.0 General
Specifications--Mechanism
The APM-2X
shall meter two parking spaces, the APM-3X shall meter 3 spaces, and the APM-4X
shall meter 4 spaces. All styles of
mechanism shall be fully electronic with solid state components and
interchangeable, free-fall coin chutes.
All materials shall be new and unused, made in the
2.0 Indication
2.1 The electronic meter (any
style) shall each feature 4-digits (including negative sign) liquid crystal
display on the front of the meter, capable of registering paid parking time and negative (expired) time. Hours and minutes shall be separated by a flashing colon (:). A simple means for determining malfunction shall be programmed in the EPROM to show on this LCD; available icons or messages include: FAIL, LOW or Low, Err, JAM, OFF, STOP, or any other word or abbreviation that can be made with four 7-segment digits. To purchase time on the multiple-space meter, the motorist pushes the space button, which displays remaining time for that space or 00:00. Upon inserting coins, paid time is displayed; after one minute (or other programmed amount of time), the paid time display for that space is replaced by a status display for both spaces handled by that meter. The status display indicates a “-” for paid time, or “E” for expired time, i.e. “ E - “ would indicate that the designated space is expired, and the other space(s) have remaining paid time. The rear LCD display also shows this information.
2.2 If the motorist forgets to
push the space button before inserting money in the multiple-space
meter, the
meter display shows “SEL SPC” for Select Space.
Up to four coins will be held in escrow to assign to the chosen space
upon pressing the button.
3.0 Coin
Acceptance
3.1 The electronic mechanism
shall be able to recognize and give time for up to 16 different coins
and/or tokens (including an optional stored value chip card). The mechanism shall be reprogrammable to change coin/token/ParkCard recognition. The coin discriminator shall incorporate no contact points, which could be affected by grime and moisture. Washers or spurious coins shall not register time. The coins shall fall in a straight line down through the chute, thus minimizing the possibility of coin jams. The chute shall incorporate an anti-backup device to prevent retrieval of coins. This anti-backup foot is located above the detection coils to prevent multiple purchases with the same coin.
3.2 Coins
passing through the mechanism shall be deposited into the coin box in the meter
vault
when the mechanism is properly installed in the upper housing.
3.3 The
coin slot shall be a removable slot of stainless steel held in place by
reinforced ridges in the
mechanism frame to discourage punching in the coin slot. The slot shall be easily removed when the mechanism is out of the meter housing, to accommodate changes in circulated coins.
3.4 Time
and rate structures shall be preprogrammed to customer specifications before
shipment
from factory, and reprogrammable thereafter by customer or factory personnel through use of MeterManager™ software and accessories.
4.0 Rate
Capabilities
Electronic
meters may be programmed for a variety of rate structures, including:
Fixed
rate: same rate all day, every day. This may include minimum time; non-cumulative
operation; and one split based on amount of time purchased. Audit reports include one that shows
breakdown by coin type.
Multi-rate: up to 5 rate changes a day including Meter
Off, No Parking, Free Parking (or Escrow) modes, with individual weekday rates,
Saturday rate, Sunday rate, and up to 25 holiday or special event rates. Multi-rate definition may allow or disallow
buying from one rate period into another, and may include negative time.
Block time:
requires minimum purchase in specified blocks of time.
Seasonal
Schedule: Allow up to 12 different date
ranges within which a choice of 9 different rate schedules may be chosen. The meters will automatically charge the new
rate on the first day of the season.
5.0 Modular
Components
The electronic
meter shall consist of modular components that can be easily separated for
quick repair or replacement. The coin
chute and battery shall be simply plugged into the time module unit. Most coin jams can be cleared without tools
in a matter of seconds and simply dumped out of the top of the chute.
6.0 Communications
and Data Transfer
The electronic
mechanism shall be capable of sending and receiving data from a Palm® handheld
PDA, programmed specifically for use with these electronic parking meters and
POM MeterManager PC software.
Communications possible:
programming of time and rate structures; retrieving audit information;
retrieval of battery charge; assigning of serial numbers; programming hot list
of stolen smartcards so that meter will not accept them; and retrieval of
mechanism serial number for maintenance or inventory tracking purposes. The infrared send/receive port is inside the
coin slot to ensure correct alignment of the beam every time, and prevent
interference from bright sunlight, rain, or graffiti and bird droppings on the
window.
7.0 General
Specifications – Meter Housing
7.1 All
meter housings shall be internally mounted on 2-inch inner diameter Schedule 40
standard
galvanized
steel pipe utilizing a three -piece expansion wedge system with sawtooth edges
that bite into the inside of the post upon attempted forced removal of the
meter from the post. Access to the mounting bolt shall only be through the open
vault door.
7.2 Upper mechanism housing
shall be of durable Zamac III zinc alloy with 40,000 PSI tensile
strength. (Iron
option, 65,000 PSI). Housings cap shall
feature a clear Lexan window, UV stabilized to prevent yellowing and cracking.
Access to the mechanism housing shall be through separate lock and key and shall
not allow access to the coin box.
Upper dome shall not be hinged, but rather shall lock at all four
corners for maximum resistance to prying.
7.3 Meter
vault shall be of durable Zamac III zinc alloy with expanded coin capacity and
40,000 PSI
tensile strength.
(Iron optional, 65,000 PSI).
Vault door shall be machined for close tolerance, yet interchangeable
between vaults of the same model; door shall be internally hinged, yet quickly
removable for service without the need for tools. Vault door shall be rectangular style that
“falls” open when unlocked, to minimize key wear. Vault door shall be easily removed when open,
without the use of tools, for quick replacement. Vault locks shall be rear-mounted with a
pick-resistant corridor to discourage thieves. Vault shall be tapered to the
pipe to prevent forced removal by deflecting blows outward.
7.4 Housings
shall be phosphatized, rinsed, dried, electrostatically powder painted and
baked to withstand at least 1000 hours of salt spray and 120-140 inch pounds
impact resistance. Finish shall be scratch resistant and shall not flake or
crack upon impact.
8.0 Locks
Standard locks for the upper and lower housing shall be
single-series with standard tumbler design.
9.0 Collection
System
Standard collection system shall consist of an open coin box
of expanded capacity. Optional coin box
shall be sealed security style, which does not allow the collector to have
access to the coins during collection.
OPTIONAL --
10.0 The
rear display shall be a rotary status indicator that is visible from a distance
of at least 70
feet, not affected by angle of view, window glare, or low light conditions. When time registers on the electronic meter, the status indicator shows bright green (or optional blank silver). When time expires, the status indicator shows the word “Expired” on a bright red background. A yellow mode shall appear to indicate jam/error. Optional custom icons or messages may be printed on the wheel, limited only by the size of the display window. The rotary status indicator shall be driven by a low-power stepper motor. Except for the initial switch of mode, no power shall be required to keep the status indicator in its current mode. Magnified windows on either side of the front digital display allow frontal viewing of the rotary status signal (for street enforcement when the meters face the street), the left window indicating for the left space, and the right window indicating for the right space. THIS OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE 3- AND 4-SPACE METER.
11.0 For
increased visibility at night, a backlight behind the digital display shall be
available to come
on during user defined hours and/or when activated by an optional photosensor cell, after insertion of each coin and/or smartcard. The duration of the backlight shall be programmable to save battery power.
12.0 For
night enforcement, a blinking LED shall be available on the front and/or the
back of the
mechanism. This LED can be one-color (red or green), 2-color (red and green), or 3 color (red, green, and amber). When the LED comes on, which color comes on, and how fast it blinks shall be a factory programmable feature to control battery drain.
13.0 Optional
sealed coin box shall be of impact resistant Cycolac of ABS material and shall
prevent the collector's access to the
meter revenue. Canister shall be of expanded capacity, which holds roughly $65
in US quarters. To collect revenue, the
canister is inserted into a special round receptacle and rotated, opening a
door in the side of the canister and releasing the coins. The canister can be
removed from the receptacle only in the closed position.
14.0 Magnum Vault (recommended for
multiple-space meters)
14.1 The
vault and all components shall be new and unused and of the latest and highest
quality,
made in the
14.2 The
vault door shall be internally hinged, and constructed to prevent prying. The rectangular
door shall “fall” open at the top
when the lock is turned and shall not require using the key to pull the door
open (thus saving on key wear and tear).
When open, the vault door shall be removable from the vault without use
of tools.
14.3 The
vault shall house a new and unused round cycolac plastic security coin box
large enough to
hold approximately $118 in U.S.
quarters. The coin box shall feature a
coin drop entrance with anti-back-up fingers to prevent coins from being shaken
out and locked doors that can only be opened by special key in a collection
cart receptacle that prevents removal of the coin box in the locked position. The coin collection person will not have
access to the coins using one of these sealed coin collection systems. Key series for these coin boxes will not be
available to the public nor used in other parking installations in the surrounding
region.
15.0 SmartCard Reader
15.1 The
electronic mechanism may be equipped with a reader to accept a smartcard. This card shall
be an industry standard size,
memory chip card preprogrammed with a maximum value, decrement value, and
security codes to prevent unauthorized duplication of cards. Smartcards can be printed with instructions,
maximum value, decrement value, or other graphics (such as advertising) to
client specifications. Upon insertion of
the smartcard, the meter shall display, four times, the remaining value of the
card, then shall begin decrementing from that value and purchasing time on the
meter. When the desired amount of time
shows on the meter, the card is removed.
Remaining value of the card may be checked by simply inserting the card
and removing it before the value flashes for the fourth time and it begins to
decrement. The card reader slot shall be
conveniently located, flush in the face of the meter housing, and shall be
narrow enough to prevent insertion of anything wider than the smartcard (i.e.
dimes and credit cards with raised numbers).
15.2 Meters
with smartcard readers may be programmed for Refund-A-Card feature, which
refunds
unused parking meter time (value)
back onto the card when the motorist returns to the meter. Refund-A-Cards each have unique programmed
serial numbers, and the meter “remembers” the last card used and the amount of
time purchased by the card. When the
motorist returns to the meter, he may reinsert the Refund-A-Card and retrieve
the unused time (only the time purchased with that card), wiping that time off
the meter. This action also prevents the
next motorist from parking for free on left-over time. If the motorist returns to the vehicle and leaves
without retrieving the unused time (value), the next motorist may purchase time
on top of the remaining time. However,
if the second motorist uses a Refund-A-Card instead of coins, he may return to
retrieve his unused time, but only the amount of time he purchased with his own
card.
16.0 SmartLock
Meters with
card readers must include an integrated locking system whereby the vault
lock is connected to the meter mechanism by wiring interface
(SmartLock). When a special smartcard is
inserted into the meter, the meter displays the number of audit records already
on the card, then "AUD" indicating that the meter is now being
audited, then "CL" indicating the audit is now cleared on this
meter. When the meter display says
"OPEN", a solenoid is energized for 5 seconds, allowing the
appropriate key to turn in the lock.
Remove the card, empty the coin box, shut and lock the door. Once the door is closed and locked, it may
not be opened again without reinserting the card and key. This locking system requires either A)
retrofitting existing vault doors for the lock interface, or B) providing new
door assemblies complete with locks and interface cable (choose one option when issuing bid). Retrofit includes either A1) utilizing
customer's existing lock and modifying the hardware, or A2) installing new lock
and hardware. (Choose one option when
issuing bid). Special software and card
reader attachment shall be provided for authorizing and uploading the
smartcards. Data collected shall be
uploaded directly into meter management software for reporting and exporting.
ACCESSORIES
17.0 Collection Carts:
17.1 The coin collection cart
shall be constructed of materials having a minimum strength
equivalent to 10 gauge steel. The cart chassis shall be mounted on one axle
with two fully pneumatic ball-bearing tires (at least 12”dia. x 3” wide) and
one roller caster in front. The cart
shall feature a heavy duty single pull handle.
17.2 The steel coin canister
shall be 8” x 11” x 20” with a wall thickness of 1/16”. The canister
attaches to the cart chassis with a padlock. The collection head receptacle is keyed to
the city’s existing code and attaches to the coin canister with a separately
keyed padlock. Use of the coin
cart/receptacle system to open parking meter coin box prevents the collection
employee from having access to the coins.
18.0 MeterManager
PC Software:
18.1 MeterManager® is an Access®
database program for Windows® 98, 2000, ME, XP, or NT
operating systems, includes full Windows functions, and
works over most popular network systems.
Suggested minimum requirements:
Pentium III IBM compatible, 12 Mb RAM, 5 Mb free hard disk space, serial
port, mouse, printer port, SVGA monitor, and Access 2000.
18.2
MeterManager
provides for management of a database of parking meters. Inventory
management, rate programming, revenue auditing, and
maintenance history tracking is possible through the use of a handheld
single-function communicator or multi-function data terminal. Uploading of inventory records, combined with
user defined defaults and global data management keep data entry activities to
a minimum. MeterManager for Windows
features easy to read browse boxes, drop down menus, point-and-click functions,
expanding “tree” inquiries, on-line help, and quick reports with
zoom-in/zoom-out previews.
18.3 The system manager may deny
access to individual menus or menu items, which will
then be “dimmed” and inaccessible to the user. Expiring single and double password
protection is available, with complete or customized system activity log
reporting for added security.
18.4 File purging is available
to maximize memory. File exporting is
available for easy import
into word processing or spreadsheet programs.
18.5 Meter inventory includes
location by area, post number, space number, collection route
and sequence, and maintenance route and sequence. Fields to record post mounting type, color,
and upper/lower lock series are available.
18.6 Maintenance history
includes fields for recording claims generators, license plate
numbers, weather conditions, and comments. User defined maintenance codes include
flagging for special processing (i.e. if a meter was moved, to where was it
moved--change all records), and status of job (open-closed). Open jobs may be reported to generate work
orders for maintenance staff.
18.7 The handheld communicator
shall be a lightweight Palm® pda with user friendly menus and
functions and can perform rate changes, record maintenance history, audit revenue, set meter numbers, and run utility functions. The handheld device shall feature a touchscreen, clock, calendar, and address book utilities. Accessories include heavy-duty protective case, communications cable, infrared interface, and cradle for uploading/downloading and battery charging.
18.8 A special infrared wand
interface attaches to the handheld communicator and directs the
infrared
communications beam into the coin entrance of electronic meters. This patented method ensures correct
alignment of the beam and fast communications without interruption by rain,
bright sunlight, bird droppings or window graffiti.
19.0 Prepaid
Smartcards:
19.1 The electronically
programmable chip cards (smartcards) shall be standard commercially
produced size, encoded with a maximum value, decrement
value, and a unique ID for each individual card. Optional rechargeable, electronic purse
smartcards shall also be available.
19.2 The smartcards shall be
supplied preprinted with design/copy (to be provided by the City)
and consecutive inventory control serial numbers.
20.0 Smartcard
Reprogramming Software Kit:
A
software kit shall be available for use on an IBM compatible PC. The
software shall be
capable of reading the serial number and remaining value on
a smartcard when inserted into the special card reader peripheral. The remaining value may be edited (increased
or decreased), and a database log of
transactions generated for
customized reporting.
21.0 Twin or Quad Mounting Adapter
The dual
mounting adapter shall allow mounting of two parking meters on one post. The quad
mounting adapter shall allow mounting of four parking meters
on one post. Both the dual and quad
adapters shall be constructed of die cast aluminum, with optional powder
paint finish (gray color) by six-step process to withstand the ASTM B117
1000-hour salt spray test. Each dual and
quad adapter shall include a set screw and allen wrench for tightening the
adapter to a standard 2” Schedule 40 galvanized steel pipe. Each adapter shall include a 4” grade 5 bolt
and nut for mounting the parking meters to the adapters. When meters are installed, access to the set
screw shall not be possible.
22.0
WedgeLok Post Mounting System
A modular post mounting system shall involve a die-cast
receptacle set in concrete, into which a specially machined post is
inserted. The post is locked into place
with an internal steel wedge. A special
tool inserts the wedge, and with an alternate tip attachment, may also
disengage the wedge for post removal
23.0
Decorative Antique-Look Post Cover and Base Kit
An extruded aluminum, fluted post cover, and die-cast
decorative base, shall cover the parking meter post and shall be powder painted
to match the meter and/or existing city street fixtures.