City To Trial New Software In No 5 Car Park

The City of Hamilton advised “that, as of January 3rd, 2024, the City will be trialing its new License Plate Recognition [LPR] Software at the Number 5 car park on Front Street [next to Pier 6].

A spokesperson said, “LPR will create a new parking system that will give motorists various ticketless parking options using app-based products.

“LPR involves placing a small camera at both car park entry and exit points which will ‘read’ car plates [front plates only] and intuitively calculate how long that car has been parked in the car park and issue a request for payment.

“The trial period will run for two months, at which point the data will be assessed to see if the system is a viable, robust, and reliable option that will meet our needs and can be implemented in other City car parks.

“There will be two payment options: When motorists arrive at the entry gate, the screen will give two options:

• Press here to use LPR cameras
• Scan your QR code

1. If you select press here to use LPR cameras, this will be the process for access and payment: The camera will read your license plate; the barrier will then open, and you may enter the car park. When you return to your vehicle and are ready to exit, simply drive to the exit gate where the second camera will scan your plate again and issue a request for payment on the screen. Motorists may then swipe or tap a credit or debit card, and the barrier will open once payment has been accepted. No pin will be required. For stays of less than 15 minutes, no payment will be requested, and the barrier will simply open.
2. If you select scan your QR code, this will be the process for access and payment: First, you must download the Pango Parking application on your phone. [You can find this in your phone’s PlayStore, or you can hold the camera of your phone over the QR code sticker at the car park gate.] It is free to download and will provide you with a QR Code. A new QR will not be issued to you on each parking occasion. When you arrive at the entry gate, scan your individual QR code using the red-light scanner; the barrier will raise. When exiting, simply scan your QR code and exit. No payment will be requested using this method as it will be taken automatically as a backend payment [as the app will be linked to your credit card].

“There will also be permit access: This is for emergency vehicles as well as Corporation vehicles and equipment; the LPR will read the vehicle’s plate and allow access if that plate matches any on the preapproved access ‘list.’ The system is dynamic, meaning that there will be opportunities to add permitted vehicles as needed for both long-term and short-term use.

“EasyPark will also still be accepted as a payment option.

“On Sundays and public holidays, the system will function as it does for stays of less than fifteen minutes – users will still need to select a ‘payment’ option upon entry, but when exiting, there will be no fee requested.

“There will be an intercom at the car park – manned 24 hours a day – should members of the public need assistance. Additionally, there will be Parking Management staff stationed at the entry point during peak times to explain and assist motorists with the new system. Access to bike parking in the car park will not be changed or affected.”

Explaining the motivation behind the change, Assistant Superintendent for Traffic Management Fred Richardson said, “It was time to move in a smarter direction with regards to parking – one that removes the need for paper tickets. Hamilton’s motorists should notice a huge improvement with this new system which will save them time and hassle in the car park and eliminate the need for a physical ticket. However, the current ticket system will not be removed entirely, so that there is a backup in case any aspect of the LPR fails to run at optimum capacity. The aim is to have better operating car park system that benefits both the consumer and the organization.”

The spokesperson said, “This new system comes from Mobile Smart City and will allow for easy add-as-needed upgrades as technological advances occur or changes need to be made to the system.”

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