HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL AWARDS CONTRACT FOR INNOVATIVE NEW PARKING METERS
ACS To Install State-of-the-Art Wireless Meters

April 5, 2006 -- Houston City Council today approved a three-year contract to install state-of-the-art wireless parking meter pay stations throughout the City of Houston. Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. (NYSE: ACS), was awarded the contract, and will begin work this month with the first phase of installing 750 multi-space meters downtown.

The new technology will be a convenience to citizens and, in keeping with Mayor Bill White’s commitment to making City Hall the most efficient and effective in the nation, will help make parking regulation, management and enforcement more efficient.

Under terms of the contract, ACS and its subcontractor will also install a 1.9-mile limited WiFi network to be used exclusively for the parking meters. This project represents the nation’s first parking meter system that does not rely on a cellular network but will communicate using a dedicated 802.11g WiFi network. Scheduled completion time for the first phase is eight months, including the initial 10 weeks to install the network.

The solar powered, multi-space meters will accept various forms of payment, including credit cards, coins and paper currency. The pay stations will also offer directions to downtown destinations in multiple languages.

“Features on the new meters will be helpful to Houston parkers and visitors,” said Rambo. “Each meter’s large display will have the ability to provide pertinent information and maps of the surrounding area, and they’ll help customers by not accepting money if that particular space is restricted at certain times. Soon, customers will also have the ability to add time to the meters through their cell phones and purchase all-day parking passes.”

In addition to new meters, parkers can expect to see new signage and a fresh coat of red striping on curbs where parking is restricted.

“The red striping will clearly indicate ‘no parking’ zones, reducing our need for signs and making the sidewalks look a lot nicer,” Rambo said. “Going forward, all parking signs will be the same size, color and format. When all signs are consistent, there will be less confusion when parking.”

The number of meters per block also will decrease, as each meter can service multiple parking spaces at a time.

“Only one meter will be used per block face,” Rambo said. “This will look much better than the current 8-10 meters per block face.”

The city will have the ability to maintain parking meters in an operational condition for a higher percentage of time through network communication.

“The network also will allow us to audit parking meters on a systematic basis,” Rambo said.

Parking Management is a division of the City of Houston General Services Department. By servicing and maintaining almost 6,000 on-street parking spaces and numerous garages across the Greater Houston area, Parking Management creates sound regulations for all commercial and residential areas enhancing pedestrian safety, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic and allowing emergency vehicles to reach their destinations. Parking Management also encourages parking awareness while supporting public transit initiatives.

For more information about Parking Management, please call 713.837.0311 or visit www.houstonparking.org.