Transportation Tomorrow Forum:
Introducing License Plate Recognition Technology

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Transportation Tomorrow Forum. We appreciate your time, engagement and questions. See below for a summary of the forum as well as a link to a recording of the presentation.

  • TOPIC - Introducing License Plate Recognition Technology
  • ORIGINAL DATE - November 12, 2021, 3:30-5p
  • DISCUSSION TOPIC - Parking compliance on campus is currently managed by Transportation Services Compliance Officers, surveying campus parking areas and seeking valid (and invalid) parking permits on vehicles. Using personnel to visually scan parking lots vehicle-by-vehicle for parking violations is inefficient, given the number of parking stalls on campus.  

    In late 2020, Transportation Services plans to install a License Plate Recognition system on select enforcement vehicles. This technology will increase efficiency, allowing Compliance Officers to quickly scan the license plates of any vehicle parked on campus, determining which vehicles are compliant, and issue citations accordingly. We will immediately see a decline in people who are parking without paying. Further, no more hangtags as your license plate number is your permit!
  • PANELISTS 
    • Perry Eggelston, Executive Director, Transportation Services
    • Brian Favela, Associate Director, Parking Services, UC San Diego
    • Ramon Zavala, Transportation Demand Manager, Transportation Services
    • Ryan Jones (Moderator), Engagement Coordinator, Transportation Services 

 

Click Here to Review Recording of Forum

If you have any issues accessing this recording or have questions, please email goclub@ucdavis.edu.

PARTICIPANT POLL

Commute Poll
Participants of the Transportation Tomorrow Forum were asked on November 12, 2020 about their current commute to campus, if any. Breakdown of those surveyed: Total responses 80, 4% Academics, 7% Student/Graduate, 89% Staff

Plans and Funding for License Place Recognition Technology

ArrowNOTE: Plans 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 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. 

FAQ: Daily Rates 

  • What are the daily rates?
  • Please click here to see our Types and Rates page for a breakdown of all parking rates.
  • How did you decide on the daily rate prices?
  • We looked at how to balance the needs of our affiliates to have an affordable rate, the financial needs for our department, and maintain a sufficient price difference between the rates to reduce congestion and balance demand.
  • Will monthly parking permits still be available for employees?
  • Beginning July 1, 2021, payroll-deducted monthly parking permits will no longer be available for employees to purchase. However, we do offer a Level Rate Parking Program with a monthly rate for those with a staff code.
  • Who is eligible for the campus affiliate daily parking rates?
  • Staff and students are eligible for the (lower) affiliate daily rates.
  • Why was I charged the visitor rate to park and not the cheaper rate?
  • In some cases, you may be charged the visitor rate because you are not an affiliate of UC Davis or set up your AMP Park profile with a non-UC Davis email. Visitors (non-affiliates) are not eligible for the lower daily rates. If none of these cases apply to you, and you feel you were charged the visitor rate in error, please contact parking@ucdavis.edu.
  • Will there be an option for employees to use pre-tax payroll deduction to pay for parking?
  • We do not currently have a payroll deduction option for employees as we are working to onboard a new vendor. 
  • Are graduate student employees considered students for the daily rate structure?
  • Yes, graduate students are students first, as it applies to parking rates. 
  • If I pay in one zone and need to move to another zone later in the day, do I need to pay a daily fee each time I re-park?
  • No, you will only need to pay once a day to park. Before 5 p.m. just be sure to park in the same zone level or a less expensive zone. For example, if you park/pay for a Daily C, then move your car, be sure to park in another Daily C or Daily L area when you return. After 5 p.m, you may re-park in any zone. For example, after 5 p.m., if you park/pay for a Daily C, you may move your car to any open A, C or L Zone. Limited time zones, such as 70-minute and 35-minute areas, are not included. 
  • With daily rates for parking, how will it work if a department currently has a shared permit for employees to borrow so they can occasionally pick up and load items closer to the building?
  • Transportation Services is developing alternative e-permits (promo codes) for these needs. 
  • How with the daily rate structure impact Resident Advisors of dorm housing?
  • Transportation Services will work with Student Housing to offer affiliate rates to Resident Advisors.
  • How do daily rates affect parking reciprocity with other UC campuses?
  • If you need to park on another UC campus, you will need to contact their campus to see if they would honor your daily payment. If so, we can provide you with a courtesy cardstock permit to display on their campus. Email Transportation Services to set up an appointment: parking@ucdavis.edu
  • Will departments get refunds for existing pads of permits that executive offices have? Will campus guest passes still be valid?
  • We will offer validation codes (for use on ParkMobile) and will issue the department an equal number of codes for pre-purchased cards (only if undated or marked). We will continue to honor the light purple cardstock permits until further notice.
  • How will campus guests pay for parking during special events?
  • Event organizers decide if they want to pre-pay their attendee parking or have Transportation Services collect it from them.
  • West Village currently has special pricing for parking. What level of parking will staff working at West Village be charged for parking there?
  • These facilities are public/private partnerships operated by a private company. The facilities choose their own parking rates and will continue to charge residents via their rent portal. 
  • Will those who carpool need to pay for a daily rate?
  • Yes. Members of the carpool will need to determine amongst themselves who will pay each day. If using ParkMobile to pay for parking, passengers may input the driver's vehicle license plate number into their ParkMobile account, and share the cost by alternating paying for parking through the app. (You do not need to own the vehicle to list its license plate on your ParkMobile account.)
  • Will there be a daily rate discount for registered carpools?
  • No, we will no longer be offering discounts for carpools. Additionally, those who carpool do not need to register with Transportation Services. 
  • Will A zones, which are typically reserved for staff and faculty, remain staff lots once we switch to daily rates?
  • Yes, however, if the demand for A spaces increases, we would adjust the inventories for each rate level to accommodate the shifting demand.  
  • Will time limits still apply to permitted spaces that only allow 1 hour or 2 hours?
  • Yes, these spaces with limited time, and no meter, are paid for by sponsoring departments. Each year we talk with these departments about their reserved time-space needs and costs.
  • Will there still be goClub complimentary parking passes for use?
  • For now, no. With the loss of revenue to fund various subsidies within the goClub, commuter incentives are something we hope to continue. 
  • How will daily rates affect parking for those who drive electric vehicles?
  • Electric vehicle drivers may pay the posted daily rate for EV vehicles. The daily rate includes the time to charge (up to 4 hours) as well as daily parking access in either a C or L zone. No need to pay twice.
    Note: If a charging stall is not available when you need to pay for parking and you pay through ParkMobile, you will see a 4-hour timer. Until further notice, you may ignore this timer and park in a C or L stall until a charging stall becomes available. 
  • What if I don’t use a smartphone and can’t pay for parking using the ParkMobile app?

  • If you don’t use a smartphone you may pay for parking using the instructions available here.
    Note: If you pay for parking at one of our permit dispensers, you will pay the visitor rate and not the daily affiliate rate. 

  • I don't have a calling plan on my smartphone. Will there be wi-fi access in the parking lots?
  • Wi-fi access to the parking facilities is being assessed and enhanced where possible.
  • Where will the permit dispensers be located to pay for daily parking? 
  • We are currently updating our maps, and Cosmo machines are located:
    - Pavilion Garage N/W and S/E
    - Quad Garage S/W
    - Gateway Garage S/W
    - Lot 1
    - Lot 5
    - Lot 15
    - Lot 25
    - Lot 47
    - Lot 56
    Please note affiliate rates are not available when using the COSMOS (permit-dispensers) machines. 

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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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