License Plate Recognition (LPR)

The Office of Parking and Transportation is currently using LPR to enforce our metered areas. During the Spring semester of 2023, we will be testing the use of LPR for parking permits with the goal of implementing in full for the 2023-2024 school year. The new system would eliminate the need to display a physical permit for most individuals. Please note the FAQ's related to LPR below.

1. What is LPR and how does it work?
   LPR is an acronym for license plate recognition. A camera is attached to the enforcement vehicle that reads a license place and cross references this information with the parking database to establish if the vehicle holds a current/valid parking permission and is parked in the correct area according to the allowances of the parking permission they purchased. The use of this technology has become common place in the parking industry.
   
   
2. Why are you implementing this technology?
   The purpose/goal is to provide a more convenient parking situation by not requiring the display of a physical permit in the vehicle. Instead of a physical permit, a parking permission is issued in the parking database and attached to the license plate. This will avoid “failure to display” violations issued in the field, provided that the user has registered the license plate of the vehicle they are parking on campus.

3. What data is being collected by the technology?
   License plate information, date, time, location. This information is cross referenced with the parking database to determine parking permission status.
   
   
4. What are the images used for?
   Parking enforcement, violation detection, citation issuance, lot occupancy counts.
   
   
5. Does this technology access any other systems on campus or elsewhere?
   No, the system integrates only with the parking databases.
   
   
6. How long is the data kept on file?
   90 days for plates where no action is taken (no violation is noted, and no citation is issued). Indefinitely for plates where a citation is issued, or until the data is purged.

7. Who has access to the data collected and will it be shared with any other entity?
   Parking staff has access to the data. We may share your personal information outside the University as required by law, order of governmental authority, or court order. See our privacy statement for additional information.

8. Will this technology remove the need for everyone to display a physical permit?
   No, reserved space holders will still need to display a physical permit. Business space parking will also still require a physical permit to be displayed. Physical temporary permits will still be required as well.

9. Will this technology increase the cost of parking on campus?
   Parking rates are not determined by the implementation of new parking technology.

10. How do I correctly enter my license plate information?
    See the license plate entry requirements found on the parking web site.

11. What do I do if I have a new vehicle with a temporary license plate?
    Temporary license plates are not recognized by the LPR technology. In these cases, you will enter the last 10 digits of your vehicle identification number (VIN) instead of your license plate number. When you receive your license plate, you must update your information. This can be done online through our web site. If you need assistance, contact our office.

12. What if I share a vehicle with someone else who also has a parking permission?
    The LPR system has difficulty recognizing vehicles listed on multiple parking permission accounts. To avoid being cited in error we recommend only listing your vehicle under your own parking permission.

13. Can I register more than one vehicle under my parking permission?
    Yes, but we recommend you register only one vehicle under your parking permission. If you register more than one vehicle and both vehicles are on campus at the same time, a citation will result.

14. What if I have a rental vehicle or “loaner” vehicle?
    Please call our office to assist with the plate entry. We are able to enter an “end date” so the vehicle does not permanently attach to your parking account.

15. Will this affect how we park in the campus lots?
    All vehicles must park so that their license plate is facing the drive lane. Vehicles that are not required to display a front license plate can no longer back into spaces in the surface lots. Vehicles registered in Illinois are required to properly display both a front and rear plate. Back in parking is not allowed in the garages, and this will not change.

16. How is my personal information protected?
    Please reference our privacy statement.