Downtown Des Moines’ more than 3,000 parking meters will be replaced with about 400 multi-space meter pay kiosks, the city announced. The replacement process will begin in April, John Davis, the city’s traffic engineer, said. The new pay stations will allow the city to improve parking enforcement and data collection, Davis said in a news release. “Data collection provided by the new system will allow us to more easily, quickly and accurately interpret parking trends and needs,” he said. In the spring, city workers will begin removing existing parking meters in downtown and the East Village and replace them with identification markers. In addition, about 400 multi-space meter pay stations will be installed. As part of the change, Des Moines will launch a mobile device payment app. The city is consolidating all of its parking-related activities under one brand called Park Downtown DSM, Davis said. “Park Downtown DSM will help eliminate any ambiguities or uncertainties and provide customers clear and consistent information about their parking options in Des Moines,” he said.