FAQ: LPR

Your License Plate Recognition Questions

Plans and Funding for License Place Recognition Technology

CogsPlans to introduce LPR to campus are part of a larger vision that came from Transportation Tomorrow, a comprehensive case study intended to create greater mobility and connectivity for the campus. Funding for this project was earmarked in early 2019, prior to COVID-19 and orders to shelter-in-place. Our commitment to sustainable transportation is only temporarily eclipsed by the current public health guidance and budget challenges. 


→ See Frequently Asked Questions of License Plate Recognition below. 

FAQ: License Plate Recognition (LPR)

  • What is License Plate Recognition (LPR)?
  • License Plate Recognition, sometimes abbreviated as LPR, is an advanced parking technology that provides virtual permits through a vehicle’s license plate instead of paper permits or plastic hangtags. LPR increases parking efficiency, provides convenience for the parking customer and greatly reduces the amount of paper and plastic waste produced.
  • How does License Plate Recognition technology work?
  • Individuals will register their vehicle plate information into the AMP Park app. The LPR software then combines this information with the individual’s payment and generates a virtual permit linked to that vehicle’s license plate number. When a vehicle parks on campus, the rear license plate is captured by cameras mounted on enforcement vehicles.

    LPR works similar to a supermarket scanner with your license plate functioning as the barcode. When read, the numbers of your plate are automatically referenced against the parking database to verify a valid permit and the proper parking privileges for the lot location. If the license plate and vehicle information are not associated with a valid virtual permit or the vehicle is parked in an inappropriate zone, then the vehicle may be subject to a citation.
  • Why is Transportation Services investing in new parking technology?
  • Transportation Services is investing in technology that will allow us to do our jobs more efficiently and provide solutions for the new intermittent parking needs in the “new normal”. We anticipate that the benefits of the upgrades will bear out in relatively short return on investment. Further, long-term planning efforts to implement LPR on campus have been in the works for many years as a result of a comprehensive transportation study, Transportation Tomorrow. Funding to pay for this technology was earmarked in 2019, prior to COVID-19 and the shelter-in-place mandate.
  • How can LPR benefit me?
  • - LPR eliminates the need to display physical permits and the need to move permits from vehicle-to-vehicle
    - Increased cost effectiveness with the reduction of printed permits and postage fees
    - Upgraded paperless pay stations on campus located along the direct paths of travel away from each lot and the 1st floor of each parking structure
    - Returning to your vehicle to display a paper permit will no longer be necessary
    - Lost or stolen permits and the associated replacement fees, police reports, and processing times will be eliminated
    - No more forgetting your permit, a permit falling from a rearview mirror or being displayed improperly
    - Option of adding credits to your parking meter remotely via the Parkmobile app.
  • How will my license plate information be used? 
  • Your license plate information will be used to check for a valid permission to park on campus. Campus Police 320-45 and California Law restrict the uses for this data. 
  • Will LPR be used for off site campus locations, such as Research Park Drive?
  • Yes. Anywhere Transportation Services checks compliance, we will be using the LPR system to scan vehicles parked on campus.  
  • How does UCPD use license plate data?
  • The UC Davis Police Department only uses LPR data for official law enforcement purposes, including identifying stolen or wanted vehicles, stolen license plates, and missing persons. It may also be used to investigate crimes or vehicles related to credible threats to the university or the community.  Transportation Services maintain access to LPR data by police personnel.
  • How would it work if I back into my parking spot and do not have a front license plate?
  •  A front license plate is mandatory for California-registered vehicles. For those vehicles registered in states where only a rear plate is required, we will sell a plate you can place on your dash for a nominal fee. 
  • I use a car cover which might cover the license plate. Will this be a problem? 
  • We would ask that you keep your license plate exposed. However, the officer can manually enter your license plate information by lifting the cover.

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