Computer-implemented system and method for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through tourist privileges

A system for offering merchant and shopper-friendly parking reservations through tourist privileges, comprising:

• a tourist identification card issued to a tourist, wherein the tourist identification card is associated with one or more parking privileges and a digital code or permit of an agency that issued the tourist identification card and wherein the tourist identification card is issued by pairing the tourist identification card with the digital code or the permit, and activating the tourist identification card using the paired digital code or permit;
• a smart parking meter positioned adjacent to a parking space of one or more parking spaces and comprising at least one of a card reader or camera to receive the activated tourist identification card during check in of the parking space;
• a parking indicator locally connected and mounted to the smart parking meter or street curb to identify the parking space as available via one or more colors and to display a first color of the one or more colors via the smart parking meter to indicate that the activated tourist identification card is accepted for the parking space;
• a sensor to determine a presence of a motor vehicle in the parking space;
• a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising program code;
• and
• a server comprising a central processing unit, memory, an input port to receive data from the activated tourist identification card from the smart parking meter, and an output port, wherein the central processing unit is configured to execute the program code to perform steps to:
• key each of the one or more parking privileges to the one or more parking spaces;
• receive notice of the presence of the motor vehicle in the parking space;
• authenticate the received activated tourist identification card by checking the digital code or permit of the agency that issued the card and by confirming that the agency is authorized to provide the one or more parking privileges;
• trigger the one or more parking privileges comprising one or more of extending parking limits, reserving tourist spaces, and reducing parking rates upon the authentication of the received activated tourist identification card and upon check in of the parking space;
• identify a parking privilege of the one or more parking privileges for use by the tourist;
• and
• display a second color of the one or more colors that is different than the first color, wherein the second color is associated with an unavailable status via the parking indicator for the parking space.