We’ve all been there. You’re stuck in rush hour traffic, running late to dinner or a show, and the last thing you want to do is deal with a parking meter.

Editor Dylan here, and as a long-time resident of Nashville, parking is always top of mind. That’s why I was so excited (and relieved) to learn about a new parking experience that’s touchless, completely digital + saves time and money.

Enter: Premier Parking’s new computer vision technology by Metropolis. Here’s how it works and how you can #TryThis.

The cameras capture a still image of your license plate when you enter and exit the facility | Photo by the NASHtoday team

What we tried (with pricing):

I visited Premier Parking’s White Front Garage at 205 2nd Ave. N. (1 of ~20 downtown locations with cameras) to get a firsthand look at how the technology works.

For first-time users, drive into the garage (bonus: no gates or ticket booths to hold you up), scan one of the QR codes posted around the facility + begin the registration process.

It takes about ~1 min. to sign up with your email, license plate, and payment method.

#ProTip: You can sign up *before* you arrive at a parking facility (right here), and the next time you pull into a Premier computer vision lot, you’ll automatically trigger a parking session.

What happens next:

Cameras capture a still image of your license plate upon entrance and exit, charging you only for the duration of your stay. Read: There’s no need to guess how long you may stay. When you’re ready to leave, just drive out — you’ll be emailed a receipt.

The next time you arrive at a camera-enabled facility, look out for a text message welcoming you back with a link to view your active session. This is how you know your parking session has started.

What not to miss:

For non-camera enabled locations, the process is still simple: scan a QR code at the facility and select your time. At these locations, you can extend your time from your phone without having to return to the parking facility should your meeting or event run long (so go on and treat yourself to that extra cup of coffee).

You can also pay for parking directly from your Uber app at all camera-enabled locations. Just look for the parking tile the next time you open Uber, link your vehicle by license plate, and park.

In need of monthly parking? You can find available locations directly on the Metropolis iOS app. Just click the menu button in the top left corner, find “Subscriptions” to see what’s available near you, and sign up right there. The days of back-and-forth correspondence and parking passes are over. 🙌

Scan the QR code + follow the steps to register | Gif by the NASHtoday team

What we’re still talking about:

Convenience + safety. You only have to register for Metropolis one time, and that’s it. The COVID-19 pandemic has also propelled the demand for completely touchless experiences, so avoiding high-touch surfaces like meters is an added bonus.

Equally as important, you’ll never need to worry about stopping at a pay station when you’re by yourself at night. Just park and be on your way.

How you can experience this:

First-time parkers can sign up online or scan a QR code at any parking facility (locations here).

Things to know if you go:

Experience: Parking made easy with Premier Parking’s computer vision technology by Metropolis
Price: Varies by length of stay and by location
Website: https://app.metropolis.io/sign-in
Address: Find a map of all Premier Parking locations (including garages with computer vision technology) on the website or Metropolis app.
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