Plate Recognition System At PLV Car Park
The City of Hamilton announced the “successful implementation of a License Plate Recognition system at Par-la-Ville Car Park, marking the second phase of the City’s broader smart parking initiative.”
A spokesperson said, “This follows the well-received deployment of the same system at #5 Car Park on Front Street in 2024.
“LPR technology simplifies and modernizes the parking experience by using cameras at entry and exit points to scan vehicle license plates. The system automatically calculates parking duration and requests payment, eliminating the need for physical tickets.
“Developed by Mobile Smart City, the LPR system was first introduced at #5 Car Park in January 2024. A two-month trial period allowed for user feedback, which informed minor upgrades and operational refinements to enhance the user experience. Since then, the system has been operating successfully and has been well received by the public for its convenience and efficiency.
“LPR payment option:
- Approach the gate and select ‘press to enter’ on the touchscreen
- The system reads your license plate, raises the barrier, and allows access.
- When exiting, the camera scans your plate, calculates the duration of your stay, and requests payment on the screen. Payment can be made by swiping or tapping a credit or debit card [it is a cashless system]. For stays under 15 minutes, the barrier will open without a payment request.
“Pango Parking App payment option:
- Download the free Pango Parking app [available on your phone’s app store].
- At the gate, scan your individual QR code using the red-light scanner to enter.
- When exiting, scan the same QR code, and payment will be processed automatically through the app, linked to your credit card.
“On Sundays and public holidays parking is free. Users must select a payment option upon entry, but no fee will be charged upon exit.
For monthly, annual, and commercial permit holders, the system provides seamless access by automatically recognizing license plates—no need to touch the machine at all. Vehicles on pre-approved access lists—such as emergency services and Corporation of Hamilton vehicles—will also benefit from automatic entry. Temporary or long-term additions to the access list can be managed easily through the system.
“Bike parking at Par-la-Ville remains unchanged and is not affected by the LPR transition.”
Fred Richardson, Assistant Superintendent for Traffic Management, said, “It was time to move in a smarter direction with parking—one that eliminates paper tickets and reduces hassle for Hamilton’s motorists. This new system will save time and simplify the process for all users. Our goal is to build a more efficient car park experience that serves both the public and the organization.”
The spokesperson said, “With Par-la-Ville Car Park now fully online and operating for over a month, the City is closely monitoring the system’s performance. Plans are already underway to extend LPR technology to other key locations, including City Hall and #1 Car Park.
“This initiative reflects the City of Hamilton’s commitment to modernizing its infrastructure, enhancing the user experience, and preparing for scalable Smart City solutions. The LPR system allows for flexible updates and future technology integrations as needed.
“We thank the public for their continued cooperation and patience as we roll out these improvements. For assistance navigating the new system, please contact the City’s Parking Management team at 531-5254.”
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The new system at PLV is not without hiccups. At 8:30am Wed Apr 23 the machines were down resulting in a long line of cars and a wait of about 20 minutes since it’s not possible to get out of line once you’ve turned in behind Bermudiana Arcade building. After a Corporation employee arrived, cars were slowly let in but were not scanned and so “for my convenience” I got charged a $10 flat fee for two hours parking. I hope this doesn’t happen too often.