SMART CITY | Cedar Falls, IA
Cedar Falls

City of

Cedar Falls, IA

Presenting

New Pay Station

Smart Meters

Cedar Falls, IA

NEW PARKING STRATEGY

The City of Cedar Falls is transitioning to a new parking management program. These policies and technologies are part of the recommendations from parking studies in the Downtown and College Hill District. Implementation will update parking to provide more effective and efficient options for area businesses, visitors and residents. This website is the main information hub for everything you need to know about parking and convenience.

The new Pay Station Smart Meters are easy-to-use and reliable, with a big screen that makes it easy to see all of the key information, such as remaining time and time limits. If the screen is dark, press any button on the meter and it will light up to provide the information you need.

Downtown
Parking

Click to view full map

College Hill District Parking

Click to view full map

MS1 Multi-Space Pay Station

Pay-by-Plate

Whether you’re shopping, dining, enjoying culture, nightlife, or events in Cedar Falls, parking has never been easier. Now you can simply park and swipe, pay with coins, or use the PARK SMARTER™ Mobile app.

HOW IT WORKS

1. CHECK THE DISPLAY

Look at the Pay Station Smart Meter screen and find parking rates, hours, time limits and other important info. If the screen is dark, press any button and it will light up.

2. PLATE or DEBIT/CREDIT CARD

Either enter plate number or insert debit/credit card. IntelliTouch will prompt you through the remainder of the transaction.

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3. SELECT PAYMENT AMOUNT

With the [+] and [-] buttons, select your payment amount.

4. PAYING WITH COINS

If paying with coins, exact change required and coins WILL NOT be returned.

5. PAYING WITH CARD

If paying with debit or credit card, wait for authorization of the card. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted.

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6. CONFIRM PAYMENT

Press the [OK] button to confirm your payment, or [CANCEL] button to stop your transaction. The meter will attempt to authorize the payment shown on the screen if neither button is pressed after 5 seconds.

7. AMOUNT OF TIME

The display will then show the amount of paid time approved and when your time is up or the meter will request another card.

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8. RECEIPT

Print and remove receipt if requested. Receipt may be kept with you or placed on dash.

9. MOBILE APP

If using the PARK SMARTER™ mobile app – extend your parking session up to the maximum time allotted.

WATCH
THE DEMO

Pay-by-Plate

USING CONTACTLESS PAYMENT

For another convenient mobile payment option, use your Smartphone with IPS fast and secure Contactless Payment system at the Pay Station Smart Meter. Follow the instructions on screen to start Contactless Payment.

1. CHECK THE DISPLAY

If the screen is dark, press any key or button and it will light up. A green LED light will light up on the Pay Station Contactless Reader.

2. CONTACTLESS PAYMENT ICON

When using Contactless Payment, place your contactless–enabled smart device over this icon to initiate payment.

3. HOLD YOUR DEVICE OVER THE ICON

smart paystation contactless
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4. AMOUNT OF TIME

Follow the instructions on the screen to select the desired amount of time and complete secure transaction.

PARKING BROCHURE

Printable brochure – Pay Stations

cedarfalls-brochure

USING PARK SMARTER ™

Search “parksmarter” to download the app

The PARK SMARTER™ mobile app provides our citizens with a parking experience that saves time and is easy to use. To get started paying through your smartphone, visit the PARK SMARTER™ website and download the application.

1. DOWNLOAD AND REGISTER

Download the app from Google Play or IOS App Store and follow instructions to complete your registration.

2. FIND PARKING

If using Parking Finder, click on the parking location on your screen and navigate to the available spot

OR

Enter your location:
type/scan code found on the PARK SMARTER™ decal on the parking meter.

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3. ENTER YOUR PARKING TIME

Add the time you wish to park and confirm your selection.

4. EXTEND YOUR PARKING

Receive notifications and extend your parking session up to the maximum time allotted.

WATCH THE DEMO

USING MY PARKING RECEIPT ™

My Parking Receipt™ is a convenient website that allows customers to view, download and print their parking receipts paid at any IPS meter.

AUTOMATICALLY EMAIL RECEIPTS

Setting to automatically email parking receipts upon close of transaction.

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VIEW AND EXPORT EXPENSES

One-time customer account set-up to simply access, view, and export expenses.

USER FRIENDLY INTERFACE

My Parking Receipt™ has an easy to navigate interface.

WATCH THE DEMO

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the City installing new Pay Stations?
Most people visiting Cedar Falls arrive by vehicle. A strong parking management program is important for the area to be a place that is prosperous, connected, livable, active, and welcoming. The new Pay Stations are part of implementation of the College Hill District Area Parking Study and serve two main purposes.

First, the location of the Pay Station in each parking lot (where demand for parking is the highest) is the ease and convenience that they add to the parking experience through more payment options and a mobile app.

Second, under previous management practices, valuable on street parking spaces were too frequently held by long term parkers. Pay Stations will help turn over on street parking and bring convenience to long term parkers.

Why do we call the meters “smart”?
The new IPS MS1 Pay Stations are smart for various reasons. They are smart because of the many options for convenient payment they offer. They are smart because they communicate wirelessly to the City to provide operational alerts and occupancy data, and to customers via smart-phone application. The MS1’s are also smart because they are powered by the sun. A solar panel on each meter powers its rechargeable battery. Overall, they will be a key tool in managing a smart public parking program that supports smart development.
When will the new Pay Stations be installed?
The new parking meters are installed and will be operational in March 2020.
When do I have to pay to park at the Pay Station?

The hours of parking enforcement are:
College Hill District––Monday – Friday––––9am – 6pm

Will the new technology assist people in finding parking?
The new smartphone app PARK SMARTER™, available for free download at app stores features a parking locator function to help visitors locate public parking lots.
How much will it cost to park at a Pay Station?
Your total parking fee will depend on how long you are parked. Follow the rate sign as you enter. When using a credit/debit card, there is a minimum purchase of $1.
What forms of payment do the Pay Stations accept?
The pay by plate pay stations in the parking lot will accept coins, credit/debit card, mobile app, or digital wallet such as Apple or Google Pay.
Which credit cards are accepted at the Pay Stations?
The Pay Stations will accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
Is there a fee for using a credit card with the Pay Station?
No, there is no fee to use a credit or debit card with the smart meters. However, there is a minimum parking session required to pay by credit card.
Is there a fee to use the pay-by-cell smartphone app?
No, there are no additional fees to use the mobile app.
Can I get a receipt for my credit card payment at the new Pay Station?

Yes. Visit myparkingreceipt.com and enter the requested information. A PDF receipt will be generated for the parking transaction(s) found for the credit card. You may also use the “Login” link to register your card; once that is done, you’ll automatically receive a receipt by email each time the card is used. When you use the PARK SMARTER™ mobile app, you can request that a receipt be emailed to you after each transaction.

Where can I find long term parking if I live or work in a District?

The City owns multiple lots and has a permit program. Visit www.thepermitportal.com/IPS for more information about parking permits.

If I didn’t initially pay for the space with the app, can I add time to my parking session from the PARK SMARTER™ app?
Yes. You can use the app to purchase more time for your parking session, but you will need to know your license plate number. If you might want to add more time through the PARK SMARTER™ app after your initial payment, be sure to know your license plate number.
What are the holidays with free parking?
Parking is free and unlimited on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday) and Christmas.
Where can I find more information about parking in Cedar Falls?
You may find more information on parking at www.cedarfalls.com/parking

BUY A PERMIT

HOW TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT

  • The City leases parking to the public in select lots. Options for permits are available in limited supply.
  • To apply for a parking permit visit the Permit Portal.
  • For permit application instructions please click here.

PAY A CITATION

PAY ONLINE

Parking citations may be paid online, in-person or by mail. Pay online with Citation Portal.

PAY IN PERSON

Parking citations may be paid in-person at the City of Cedar Falls Cashier’s office 8 am – 5 pm.

PAY BY MAIL

Check must be received within 7 days.
Postmarked dates are not acceptable.

 Make check payable to:
City of Cedar Falls Enforcement Solution Center

Send payment to:
P.O. Box 610188
San Jose, CA 95161-0188