I really like this idea and while difficult to implement could be really useful. If each service, e.g., meters, laundry, etc. had some sort of bar code attached to it that we could scan, perhaps with our cell phone, then that would ease our pain tremendously. Not only could we leave our change at home but we could leave our wallet and credit cards at home. This would increase revenues for several parties including the scanning device/cell phone industry and the retailers involved. Great idea!

Good idea - I believe cell phones are the answer.

I think this is an interesting idea and would certainly be great for those of us who carry around a lot of spare change. I do think there may be some implementation issues as vending machines, laundry machines and meters are owned by many different private and government entities. As it will be difficult to get all parties to agree on one system, this may ruin the effectiveness of the tool.

This is slowly being introduced in the US by credit card companies like AMEX. It's already very common in Hong Kong. They've been using the Octopus card there since 1997. It's basically the same concept in a card. In 2003, you could use the card to pay for subways, buses, purchases at the 7-11, vending machines, and probably a few other places. They were also introducing a rather ugly watch for those who didn't want to use the card.

I think the concept is also being used in Japan with the device as part of a phone.

This is a great idea. Even if just for parking meters - if you could somehow combine it with the Eazy Pass, which is already in your car - that would be so convenient.

Great idea!! I agree that it would make life so much easier and allow us to not have to carry quarters around everywhere we go.

I like this idea a lot. Just yesterday, a classmate of ours mentioned how in Africa people use their cell phones send/receive money. I also saw something similar on CNN International. Point being, you could use your cell phone to pay for something like a laundry machine or parking meter. I think Jlevi mentioned something similar above. Example: You park your car, look at the meter, dial the number, at the prompt you enter required personal info. + the unique number on the meter. Once all this is entered, you have paid for your parking meter.

o This idea is both practical and feasible. It could initially be rolled out in pilot test markets and could very quickly be implemented on a larger scale.

I also agree that this is a good idea. Of course, it would create security issues, as people could use cards to spend without even a basic identity check (i.e. signature).

This EZ-Pass could also be used at fast food drive-thoughs.

I definitely agree. I would love it if everything could be paid for with one device or card.

I worked on Electronic Toll Collection systems, including E-ZPass, as a consultant. Currently, many of similar applications around the world are already in place. As you guys suggested, things like drive-thrus, car-wash, parking (like airport parking), gas station, etc. Definitely there are a lot more room to grow though.

Also, there are some technologies where you simply stick in your credit card to the transmitter on your windshield and do not even worry about managing your E-ZPass account. Everything goes to your credit card directly.

Sounds like an interesting idea.... but why not just use a credit card for the same services? I think parking meters and laundry machines should just take credit cards!

I agree to the extent of having (pay by card) facility. The rest is done by bank card.

Unfortunately this is not going to work. There are many, many vending providers; on the order of tens of thousands in the USA alone. Getting them to all agree to one standard would not be possible. Second, the credit card solution would not work as the fee that credit card company charges to process the transaction would null a good deal of the profits. If you could some how standardize the vending industry and they, as a group, exclusively provide a pass, keyfob or some other device this might work. As for now, keep your coin purse handy.

Better to have this pre-paid, putting "account information" in the hands of people that own laundromats and other such machines could be dangerous.

If it was wireless/radio like EZ Pass, etc. there'd be high (maybe unsafe) levels of EMR, they're having problems with that in Europe.