On June 25th, 2019, the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) was awarded the Technology Innovation for Citizens Award by GovTech Magazine for reintroducing its mobile payment application, meterUP. In particular, this award is reserved for government entities that have utilized technology to improve service delivery, user experience and customer satisfaction.
The PPA relaunched it’s meterUP mobile payment application in December 2017. Since then, meterUP’s popularity has continued with over three-hundred thousand downloads and three million parking transactions being completed. MeterUP’s popularity and convenience is also indicated by 4.8 out of 5 rating on iOS and Google Play app stores.
In addition to the convenience of remotely paying all on-street parking meters in Philadelphia, meterUP allows a user to end their parking session early while only charging them for the time they are parked. This feature is not available in any other first class city and is considered one of the most popular features among our meterUP customers.
PHILADELPHIA (June 24, 2019) – A new study released today quantifies for the first time the economic cost of Philadelphia’s growing problem of traffic congestion.
The report, completed by Philadelphia-based Econsult Solutions, Inc., finds that congestion within the Center City street grid alone impacts Philadelphians in the following ways:
7 million annual hours lost for bus and car passengers sitting in traffic
$152 million in annual time value and transportation cost associated with those delays – a $260 annual tax on each Philadelphia household
$21 million in additional SEPTA bus operating costs associated with maintaining the same level of service at slower speeds
15,700 potential jobs and $1.08 billion potential earnings foregone associated with lost productivity – four Comcast Towers worth of unrealized workers
$58 million foregone in City and School District tax revenue associated with lower productivity and earnings – or $100 per household
The report notes that congestion is a signal of success, with population and job growth increasing demand for travel across the city. Philadelphia has grown by more than 71,000 jobs since 2010, and grew more than 15,000 jobs in 2018 alone. However, if not controlled congestion threatens to short-circuit economic growth by reducing the attractiveness of Philadelphia as a place to live and do business. In effect, traffic puts a ceiling on the city’s growth potential.
The report’s release comes amidst a significant campaign by the City of Philadelphia, in partnership with SEPTA and the Philadelphia Parking Authority, to better manage congestion by strictly enforcing traffic violations in Center City.
“Congestion in Philadelphia is negatively impacting the quality of bus service, which in turn is contributing to ridership loss,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel. “Less bus ridership adds even more cars to city streets, further exacerbating the congestion problem. SEPTA is committed to working with the city to breaking this vicious cycle, and this report helps to make clear just how important it is to the future of the city and region that we are successful in this effort.”
As the city has grown, so too has the demand for use of street space. This has created an impetus for thoughtfully managing the public right of way.
“The city has seen an increase in the number of pedestrians, transit riders, bikers, and drivers of all types that share its colonial street grid,” said Michael A. Carroll, City of Philadelphia Deputy Managing Director of the Office of Transportation, Infrastructure, and Sustainability. “At the same time, the emergence of ride-sharing and online shopping with delivery has put new kinds of demand on the grid. The resulting congestion impacts the lives of residents throughout the city, costing them valuable time and limiting their ability to reliably access employment and other opportunities.”
“As the agency tasked with regulating Uber, Lyft, and taxis as well as maintaining the flow of traffic in the city’s numerous business districts, the Philadelphia Parking Authority looks forward to working with our transportation partners to alleviate congestion, while also ensuring the safety of taxis and ride-share vehicles for the riding public,” said PPA Executive Director Scott Petri.
Petri added, “It’s troubling that our inspections of Uber and Lyft vehicles since the beginning of the year uncovered a disturbing trend of 32 percent failing inspection.”
PHILADELPHIA — Mayor Jim Kenney today continued progress toward the City’s Vision Zero goal of zero traffic deaths by 2030 by signing legislation to bring speed enforcement cameras along the 12 miles of Roosevelt Boulevard, between 9th Street and the city’s boundary with Bucks County. Cameras will be installed along this High Injury Network corridor by the end of this year.
“Today we are taking an important step to calm speeds on one of the most dangerous roads in our city,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “At the beginning of my administration, I committed to taking action on the Roosevelt Boulevard. Adding automated speed cameras on the Boulevard is one of the most effective steps that we can take towards eliminating traffic deaths.”
“The Philadelphia Parking Authority is a proud partner in Philadelphia’s Vision Zero initiative,” said PPA Executive Director Scott Petri. “With the ultimate goal of eliminating traffic deaths, we’re confident the implementation of Automated Speed Enforcement will greatly assist in curbing dangerous driving behaviors.”
“We know that speed is especially deadly for people walking and biking, and that if we can get motorists to change their behavior and slow down, we can reduce crashes and save lives,” said Councilwoman Cherelle Parker of the 9th District. “Today is a victory for anyone who wishes to travel safely on Roosevelt Boulevard.”
The Philadelphia Parking Authority will administer the speed camera program along Roosevelt Boulevard, similarly to how the PPA administers the red light camera program throughout the city.
Roadside signs will be posted to alert drivers to automated speed enforcement on the Boulevard. Once the program begins, there will be a 60-day warning period before fines are issued. During this warning period, vehicles identified as speeding will be issued a warning without a fine for the violation. After the 60-day warning period, the program will begin issuing fines.
Fines
$100.00 – 11 to 19 MPH over the posted speed limit
$125.00 – 20 to 29 MPH over the posted speed limit
$150.00 – 30+ MPH over the posted speed limit
Up to three violations may be issued to a single motor vehicle within any 30-minute period. Violations do not add points to a driver’s record.
The money collected will be used to cover the program’s costs including equipment, administration, and police officers dedicated to reviewing the violations.
Remaining funds will be used for a transportation safety grants program for things such as intersection safety improvements. The aim of the program is to improve safety and reduce deaths and serious injuries resulting from speeding, not serve as a generator of revenue.
Between 2013 and 2017, there were 2,695 crashes resulting in 139 people being killed or severely injured on Roosevelt Boulevard.
Following the installation of an automated speed enforcement program, New York City reduced speeding at camera locations by 63 percent and fatal crashes by 55 percent (NYCDOT Automated Speed Enforcement Program Report 2014-2017).
For the first PPA Podcast, “The Petri Dish,” ADA Accessibility to cabs and transportation network companies (more commonly known as Uber and Lyft) is the main discussion topic. PPA Executive Director, Scott Petri, sits down with Taxi & Limousine Division directors, Bill Schmid and Christine Kirlin, to discuss the current hurdles in regulating taxicabs and transportation network companies within Philadelphia.
Simple: to help you avoid getting parking tickets.
Aside from being able to make parking payments through your iPhone or Android phone, you can also extend your parking session if your meeting is running longer than expected, or if you plan on grabbing dessert after dinner.
Since the main goal is to help you avoid getting parking tickets, we want you to let us know if you’ve gotten a ticket even though you paid through meterUP. But before we delve into getting your ticket cancelled, let’s go over the reasons why the ticket may have been issued in the first place.
Incorrect License Plate:
When it comes to tickets being issued despite making payment through meterUP, the most common reason is an incorrect license plate being entered into your meterUP profile. If your plate number is entered incorrectly into your profile, the vehicle will register as unpaid when our Parking Enforcement Officers (PEOs) check for payment on their handheld devices. So while you’re setting up your profile, double check to make sure your license plate number is entered correctly to avoid a ticket.
Selecting the Wrong Zone Number:
The second most common reason a ticket can be issued is for selecting the incorrect meterUP zone number when paying to park. After parking your vehicle, it’s important to take note of the meterUP zone number displayed on posted signage.
Note: Each street block along with each street side has its own dedicated meterUP zone number that should be referenced when making payment.
Selecting the Wrong Vehicle:
One of the most convenient features of meterUP is being able to have multiple vehicles on your profile. Here’s the thing though: After parking, make sure you’re selecting the correct vehicle in your meterUP profile. If you have the wrong vehicle selected, no payment will be shown for the vehicle you actually parked.
PEO Errors:
From time to time, our PEOs can make mistakes. When it comes to meterUP, here’s some things that may occur when our PEOs are on their patrols:
PEO incorrectly enters license plate number when confirming if payment is made.
PEO checks wrong meterUP zone number when confirming if payment is made.
PEO’s handheld device is experiencing a communication error with payment server.
Getting Your Ticket Cancelled:
Good news: The PPA provides a one-time courtesy cancellation for inadvertent user error when making mobile parking payments. If you’ve gotten a ticket because of one of the above scenarios, we can help get it cancelled as long as you were in an active parking session when the ticket was issued.
Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Take note of your parking ticket number.
Step 2: Provide a copy of your mobile parking receipt by:
Opening the meterUP App and tap “Activity.”
Tap “History” to find the parking session when you were issued the ticket.
After finding the applicable parking session, take a screenshot.
Note: Please make sure your receipt includes the following:
Mobile Parking Zone Number
Date & Time of Transaction
Start & End Time of Transaction
License Plate Number
(PHILADELPHIA) The Philadelphia Parking Authority’s hugely popular meterUP pay by cell parking app hit the 300,000 download milestone today.
The meterUP app is available city-wide and can be used at over 8,000 coin-operated meters and 975 kiosks throughout the city.
The continued success of meterUP comes as the PPA anticipates installing new kiosks in the summer. The new kiosks will require customers to enter their license plate numbers while making on-street parking payments.
Commenting on the milestone, PPA Executive Director Scott Petri said, “We are delighted this very popular and convenient mobile payment option is being so widely used by our parking customers. Our customers now have the convenience of paying for parking or adding time remotely anywhere in the city – instead of having to continuously carry cash or coins.”
Hailed as a major PPA technological innovation aimed at improving customer service and convenience for motorists parking in Philadelphia, there have been over 2.8 million meterUP transactions and now over 300,000 downloads sinceDecember 2017. The app has been widely embraced — receiving an IOS rating of 4.8 out of 23,000 reviews and a 4.6 Android rating out of 1,144 reviews at the App Store.
“Our goal with meterUP has always been to further improve customer service and the overall parking experience in Philadelphia for residents and visitors alike. We can expect this sentiment to continue as we install new pay-by-plate parking kiosks this summer,” Petri said.
The meterUP app allows drivers to pay for parking with a smartphone and remotely add more time to kiosks or coin-operated parking meters. Registration and use of meterUP is easy and saves customers time and money. Users can extend parking sessions remotely and stop time early to avoid wasting unused minutes. Customized parking expiration reminders and the ability to make prepayments are also features of meterUP.
Clearly marked signs and decals with zone numbers and directions on how to use meterUP are posted throughout the city. App users are encouraged to ensure their license plate numbers are correctly entered into their app profiles while referencing the correct meterUP zone numbers when making mobile payments.
The PPA has partnered with ParkMobile, LLC to power the meterUPapp. With this mobile payment option available city wide, both meterUPand ParkMobile are accepted for payment at all kiosks and coin-operated meters in Philadelphia – and conversely — meterUP can be used for payment in any locale in the country where ParkMobile is used and accepted
“The partnership between the Philadelphia Parking Association and ParkMobile has been a great success since we launched the meterUP app in 2017,” says Jon Ziglar, CEO of ParkMobile. “The high volume of transactions and the positive app store reviews show that we are providing a better parking experience in the city.
Customers are able to acquire meterUPby visitingmeterUP.org, downloading it through theiriOS andAndroiddevice, or by calling (877-727-5303).
Accredited with distinction by the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI).
Three (3) garages rated as premier – Parkade on 8th, Galleria Garage, and Family Court Garage.
Delivered over $119 million to government entities.
Reorganized the Engineering department, now known as Construction Management and Capital Projects and hired new Director.
Changed the name of the IT Department to the Department of Technology and Information Solutions. Made PCI Compliance a key initiative. Began search for Chief Technology Officer.
Reorganized the Finance Department and hired a new CFO.
Reorganized HR Department. Began search for new Director. Conducted internal & external review of processes.
Added all contracts to website.
Processed 228 Right to Know requests.
Created expanded role of Board involvement and provided comprehensive monthly reports to the Board and public of activities.
Created Investment Committee with Board member representation. Analyzed all investment activities. Began quarterly meetings with reports to Board on Investment Committee. Created new policies and procedures.
Created new policies and procedures for HR, Finance, Risk Management and Audit departments.
Reconstituted the Audit department and created audit matrix. Reviewed Audit Findings and required departmental responses and implementation of corrective action.
Began practice of issuing Annual Reports for On-Street Operations even though not required. Continued bi-monthly meetings with City & School District finance.
Completed whistleblower policy.
Began practice of issuing Annual Reports for Airport Operations even though not required. Met frequently with DOA on finance and construction matters.
Assisted City with implementation of Amnesty Program.
Testified before the PA House Consumer Affairs Committee about need for additional funding for regulatory enforcement and hosted information hearing with PA House Transportation and Urban Affairs Committees on state legislative agenda.
Created compilation of proposed local and state legislation providing for safety improvements, revenue enhancement, regulatory authority and recommended changes.
Negotiated to successful conclusion of Collective Bargaining Agreement for four (4) unions with Teamsters Local 115, AFSCME Local 33 & 47 and District Council 21.
Post all contracts and POs on website and reported to Board on stats monthly.
Completed final response to Auditor General & held final meeting.
All Board Meeting minutes and exhibits available on PPA website.
Present list of employees trained each month and subject of training to Board each month.
Adopted formal travel reimbursement policy.
Began utilization of Project Management software.
Developed, operationalized and managed the City’s Amnesty Program – high profile, high risk program.
Developed transition and operational plan for BAA.
Appointed Equal Opportunity Officer.
Initiated a Best Practices Comparison Study consisting of parking professionals from around the country to develop operations analyst staff.
Redesigned the Authority’s Strategic Plan.
Developed protocols for HR and Internal Auditor reviews of Employee parking violations.
Risk Management
Reorganized Risk Management and expanded its role and responsibility.
Adopted a formal policy on policies and procedures.
Began risk assessment by department.
In collaboration with Off-Street Operations, revised the damage claim form specific to their operations to better capture the nature of the incident. The revised form allows Off-Street Operations to determine validity of incidents/damage thereby providing Risk Management the opportunity to process valid claims more efficiently.
Developed a Safety Statement for the Authority in an effort to begin development of a formal safety program.
Presented a Draft Motor Vehicle Usage Policy to Senior Management to formalize the Authorities processes and procedures regarding motor vehicle usage for safety and insurance.
Revision of the Risk Management Motor Vehicle Incident Summary form (formerly Chargeable Summary form) – the new form allows for a more efficient manner in which we investigate incidents. The form is shared with Human Resources and the Department Manager. Some changes to the form include:
Providing a description of the incident;
Determining whether the incident was preventable, non-preventable, or unable to determine from a loss prevention prospective; and
Concluding potential causes of the incident from a safety perspective.
Reinstated the Driver Safety Training program in collaboration with the Authority’s automobile liability carrier, insurance broker, and PPA Training Academy.
Provided suggested revisions and insurance language to the HR Travel policy.
Enhanced risk relationship with Information Technology and hosted an AIG Cyber Awareness Education Session.
Expansion of Risk Management’s role within the Authority by increased collaboration on various projects, to include developing and implementing an enterprise-wide risk management program.
Facilitation of three (3) areas currently in process – Off-Street Operations; Finance; and Information Technology.
Outreach
Reactivated participation with state and national trade associations.
Enhanced communication with elected officials.
Participated in state hearings.
Public service announcement program to educate on various topics.
Continued community outreach meetings.
Completed outreach to neighborhood/business associations to address concerns/issues
Supported the meterUP city-wide roll-out.
Created inspection warning program.
Initiated daily recordings of customer interactions for analysis and reporting.
Created reporting for analytics of front-desk and BAA services.
Began monitoring of Parking Violations Branch customer service phone calls.
Streamlined process for ticket cancellations, saving time and resources.
Initiated weekly meetings for improved communication and efficiency.
Implemented a pilot program to expand Saturday hours – BAA.
Process flow analysis and reconfigured service windows at BAA to assist with crowd control/customer convenience/efficiency.
Reviewed vacant positions and hired as appropriate to ensure optimal staffing levels.
Sought opportunities for Community meetings and public ceremonies.
Initiated daily recordings of customer interactions for analysis and reporting – BAA.
Focus upon growth of Authority’s social media impressions and engagements.
Implemented a strategy to utilize video content more significantly.
Human Resources
Began internal training program for advanced skills.
Promoted 98 employees to new positions.
Adopted expanded college internship program.
Present all employee actions: hires, promotions, separations, retirements, etc., at each Board Meeting.
Facilities
Refurbished two neighborhood lots – 7th & Christian & 4711 Baltimore Avenue.
Turned over $1.5 million to the City from neighborhood lots which was utilized by the City to improve fire company kitchens.
Completed design and approval for new parking lot under Ben Franklin Bridge adding 197 new monthly parking spots in Olde City.
Began to explore properties to replace Lot 4 and Lot 1.
Audit
Reviewed numerous items on Audit list.
Developed a Mission Statement.
Reviewed retiring employee’s benefits for accuracy.
Participated in Government accounting principles.
Consulted on Amnesty.
Monitored vacation & sick leave.
Moved reports closer to annual.
Off-Street Operations
Expanded and formalized maintenance program for Facilities and included normalized maintenance costs into budget.
Finance
Implemented new budget process.
PPA budget on website.
Re-organized the department.
Changed finance presentation at Board Meetings to year-to-date.
Airport
Garage D restoration work was completed in December 2018. This project came in under budget by $906,807.61.
In FY 2018, the Authority performed 3,981 courtesy services including courtesy tows, jump starts, car location services, and other similar work for airport customers at no charge. These services have a retail value of $307,000.
The Authority returned 45.5% of the net revenue to the DOA in FY18.
The net amount payable to the DOA for FY18 $32,270,521.
On-Street Operations
Delivered $50,657,124 to the City and School District, more than ever before even with pension & fringe benefit cost increases.
Parking taxes paid to the City for FY18 totaled $15.87 million.
Relaunch of Pay-by-Phone through Park Mobile.
Issued 1,553,552 parking tickets.
Performed 40,708 tows including 13,956 live stops.
Department of Technology and Information Solutions/Technology
Began re-organization of department.
Moved PCI function back into IT.
Created task force on PCI Compliance.
Established matrix on PCI implementation.
Completed rush assessment of department.
Migrated from Groupwise to Outlook.
Completed a Virtual Infrastructure refresh (replaced outdated servers).
Developed protocols for decision making and reporting to the Executive Director and Board.
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