Jul 20, 2009
City to Test New Parking System in Downtown Reno
Reno, Nev.—Motorists, bicyclists and scooter riders will come face-to-face with a brand new parking system that’s being launched in Reno this September. The new system, developed by a local company, promises a new type of security for those who need to park their bike, and all users will have the convenience of using coins, or a credit card.
The City of Reno has signed on to test the CURB System on 22 spaces on one block of Ryland Street between the the Regus Building and US Bank. Developed by the Reno-based company Secure Storage Technology, the parking system will resemble an ATM transaction rather than plugging coins into a meter on the street.
Founder Kane Dutt of SST says the system’s advantages include the ease of swiping a credit card for motorists and a nearly impregnable clamping system for the frame of bicycles that will give cyclists a security option they have never had.
“We are pleased the City of Reno has given us the go-ahead for our first test,” Dutt said. “We think those using the system will prefer it over parking meters, while some of the other advantages, such as ease of enforcement, and the ability to rent bikes from a secure location, will be appreciated over time.”
The new system will charge the same amount of money as is charged now, so the public will not be paying more for parking. The test system itself will be installed at no charge to the city.
In operation, the system automatically senses when a car is parked in a space, and the driver has time to go to a kiosk in the middle of the block to make a payment for the amount of time needed. If a motorist goes over the time limit, the city has the option of charging more on a credit card or issuing a citation.
For cyclists worried about losing their bike to a thief, the CURB system uses metal jaws that clamp together over the frame to secure the bike and provide a lock for the wheels. The bike is locked and unlocked with the rider’s credit card. The system is nearly impregnable, Dutt said, and can accommodate almost every type of bike frame there is. Dutt said he believes the security of the system will encourage cycling and make Reno friendlier for riders who need a secure place to park their bike.
Founder Kane Dutt of SST says the system’s advantages include the ease of swiping a credit card for motorists and a nearly impregnable clamping system for the frame of bicycles that will give cyclists a security option they have never had.
“We are pleased the City of Reno has given us the go-ahead for our first test,” Dutt said. “We think those using the system will prefer it over parking meters, while some of the other advantages, such as ease of enforcement, and the ability to rent bikes from a secure location, will be appreciated over time.”
The new system will charge the same amount of money as is charged now, so the public will not be paying more for parking. The test system itself will be installed at no charge to the city.
In operation, the system automatically senses when a car is parked in a space, and the driver has time to go to a kiosk in the middle of the block to make a payment for the amount of time needed. If a motorist goes over the time limit, the city has the option of charging more on a credit card or issuing a citation.
For cyclists worried about losing their bike to a thief, the CURB system uses metal jaws that clamp together over the frame to secure the bike and provide a lock for the wheels. The bike is locked and unlocked with the rider’s credit card. The system is nearly impregnable, Dutt said, and can accommodate almost every type of bike frame there is. Dutt said he believes the security of the system will encourage cycling and make Reno friendlier for riders who need a secure place to park their bike.