Stuttgart's New Gizmo for Grabbing unlawful Parkers: Autos on the Hunt can Catch up to 1000 Cars Per Hour
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High-speed vehicle scanners processing over a thousand automobiles every hour. - High-speed vehicle inspections reach new heights with technology capable of examining 1000 automobiles hourly.
In a first for Germany, tech-wielding automobiles are taking on the task of nabbing illegally parked vehicles. Since March, a new regulation in Baden-Württemberg allows the use of specialized cars to scan parked vehicles, and a trial run is now underway close to the University of Hohenheim. Until now, parking tickets have typically been dished out by employees from local public order services. However, smart technology is expected to make their job a breeze.
How do the Scan-Autos Work?
These souped-up vehicles sport cameras mounted on their roofs that can snap license plates of parked cars as they cruise by. The information is then compared with a database. These automotive controls work in zones where parking permits have been previously recorded digitally, as the ministry explains. So, for standard parking spots, you'd need those fancy meter machines where users punch in their car's plate number when paying for parking. Resident parking permits and special permits also need a digital makeover.
What Can these Scan-Autos Detect?
These tech-driven chariots can determine if drivers have coughed up the cash for parking at a spot that requires payment. They can also spot illegal parking monsters, such as cars cantankerously parked on bike lanes and bus lanes. "Sidewalks, bike lanes, bus lanes, intersections, and crosswalks can breathe easier with these robotic traffic wardens on patrol," the ministry stresses.
How is Parking Controlled Now?
Typically, parked vehicles in many German cities are patrolled by the local public order police. Depending on the city, they're on foot, on bike, or even zipping around in service cars. For example, in Mannheim, approximately 55 full-time positions are dedicated to this, and in Freiburg, 29 employees are on the streets, checking for parking tickets or resident parking permits in cars. The scan-autos aim to give municipal employees a much-needed break from their duty, but rest assured they won't be replaced, as the Ministry of Transport assures us.
Any Experiences with these Scan-Autos?
The technology is already in use in France and the Netherlands, among other places. The feedback from these countries has been uniformly positive, a Ministry of Transport spokesperson claimed. For instance, in Amsterdam, the costs for controlling the parking area dropped by half. It is also known from the Netherlands that the enforcement officers are less prone to face harassment thanks to the technology.
Perks of this Sleek System?
From the government's perspective, the main perk of scan-autos is their efficiency. "One person can check up to 1000 vehicles per hour with a scan-car, while on foot it's only about 50 vehicles," a Ministry of Transport spokesperson said. This means cities and municipalities could control their parking area more efficiently. The ministry also anticipates improved road safety: If illegal parkers are identified faster, buses, pedestrians, and cyclists will face fewer obstructions.
The city of Mannheim believes that these vehicles will help alleviate staffing shortages. They've had difficulties recruiting personnel for parking control for several years. "An automated system could help compensate for this staff shortfall."
Who's Hopping on Board?
Among the larger cities in southwest Germany, some have shown great interest in this new control method. For example, Freiburg is planning to join a pilot project. The city of Mannheim has expressed ardent interest in becoming a trailblazer for introducing this technology to the Ministry of Transport, a spokesperson said. Heidelberg and Heilbronn are currently mulling over the use of such vehicles.
Data Protection Concerns?
According to the Ministry of Transport, the scanners snap an image of the parked car, its license plate, location, and the time of the inspection. Info from mistakenly parked cars is stored throughout the fine process and then deleted. Data from correctly parked cars is wiped clean immediately. If pedestrians are also captured, they're pixelated automatically, according to the ministry. If scanning vehicles are employed, this should be made clear with suitable signage, and the scanning vehicles should be clearly marked as such.
What's the Game Plan for the Test?
Since mid-April, the technology has been on trial in the vicinity of the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart. There, a scan car has been monitoring the six university parking areas. According to the Ministry of Transport, this locale is perfect because drivers have to punch in their license plate number at the parking meter machines to pay for their parking spot.
- The scanners installed on the specialized cars in Stuttgart can capture images of parked vehicles, their license plates, locations, and the time of the inspection.
- The data from correctly parked cars is erased immediately, while data from mistakenly parked cars is stored during the fine process and then deleted.
- If pedestrians are captured in the images, they are automatically pixelated, according to the Ministry of Transport.
- The city of Mannheim is considering this technology as a potential solution to their staffing shortages for parking control.
- The city of Freiburg plans to participate in a pilot project for this new control method.
- The trial run for the scanner technology is currently underway near the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, with a focus on six university parking areas.
