The Skymeter sits on a vehicle's dashboard and tracks where people park. Instead of needing cash for parking meters, they're issued a monthly bill. (CBC)

Winnipeg has become the testing ground for a satellite-based system that could put an end to motorists fumbling for change to fill parking meters.

The Winnipeg Parking Authority is testing a new tracking system that monitors where people park their vehicles and for how long.

The device, called a Skymeter, is about the size of a computer mouse and is powered by plugging it into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter outlet, said Dave Hill, the WPA’s chief operating officer.

Hill is one of three Winnipeggers testing the GPS device, developed by Toronto-based company Skymeter Corp.

The tracker is placed on the dashboard to show ticket agents that it’s functioning properly.

“It’s got a little light on it. ... What it does is identify where your car is in the city with a precision of about one to two feet,” Hill said.

“And what that does is allow the Skymeter Corp. to measure how long you’re parked in any one area and then send you a bill,” he added.

May go public next fall

The gadget could be ready for use by the general public next fall.

The city was chosen as a testing ground because there aren’t many tall buildings to interfere with satellite signals.

Steps have been taken to deal with any privacy concerns customers may have, the company's vice-president of business development told CBC News.

“The owner of the car owns the position data and no one can [view that data] unless the driver says, ‘I want to challenge a bill, I don’t believe I was here,’” said J.D. Hassan.

Reaction to the gadget from local drivers was positive.

"I'm always fiddling in my wallet looking for change," said Mary Jane Kalenchuk. "If I could park ... eliminating that, and receive a bill at the end of the month, I think that would be great."

While the device is being tested only at city-owned parking spots, Hill said private companies in future could let it be used at their parking lots or garages.

“Maybe in the future you could use this device in Winnipeg, Vancouver, Brandon — any place else you happen to drive your car,” Hill said.