By Ian Bush

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There’s a new way to pay to park at some lots in Philly. It lets you leave your change — and your wallet — in your pocket. This kind of technology could be coming to city streets one day.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority is looking into a pay-by-phone system. The private lot and garage operator Parkway is using one now.

It’s a smartphone app called Parkmobile:

“You simply open up the mobile app and enter in the zone number, or you can scan the QR code that can be found on the meter sticker or the signage. You enter in the amount of time you wish to park for.”

Tina Dyer, the marketing manager for Parkmobile, says the app links your license plate to that zone and bills your stored credit card.

It also sends you an alert when your time is running out:

“You can start heading back to your car or you can add additional time if that’s applicable in that particular zone — without returning to feed the meter.”

And there’s a ‘find my car’ button.

You can use the app for 1,100 parking spaces at 11 Parkway lots in the city, with more to come.

For more information, visit http://us.parkmobile.com/en/everyone/mobile-app