What are they?
 A parking meter is a mechanical or electronic parking control device in which a motorist deposits coins to purchase a period of time to park a vehicle legally in a particular parking space. The meter's time clock will automatically indicate when the purchased time has expired and that the vehicle is then in violation.
Why do we have them?
An effective parking control and enforcement program is important to the success and viability of a business and commercial district. Business owners and their employees, as well as customers and clients all want the ability to park as close to their destination as possible. It is important to generate parking turnover at regular intervals so that all motorists have an equal opportunity to access short-term on-street parking. Parking meters are more effective than signs in generating parking turnover.
What are the issues?
Meters can be a deterrent to shoppers who can find similar goods and services at other locations which offer free parking. The cost of parking at a meter should be competitive with adjacent off-street parking rates so that long-term parkers are encouraged to park off street. The fine structure for parking meter violations should be a deterrent to wilful violators. The maximum allowable parking time for a metered space should reflect the parking demands generated by the adjacent land use. Parking meters are primarily used to control parking; however, they can and do generate revenue when installed in the proper location for the correct reasons.
When and where are they installed?
Parking meters are only successful where the "demand for" exceeds the "supply of" available and conveniently located on-street parking spaces. Due to their installation and maintenance costs, they are not recommended to be installed in areas where there is an abundance of underutilized parking spaces.
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