New Parking Enforcement Methods

With Europe's largest dedicated parking exhibition and conference, Parkex 2005 coming to a close last week we look at some of the latest devices to be used in parking enforcement.

Spy Enforcement

The concept behind spy enforcement is automated machines that can 'spy' on cars parking in different locations. These machines can then inform a physical being of a misdemeanour or automatically issue fines itself. This was demonstrated during the exhibition early last week when two new pay and display parking machines were unveiled.

Both these machines look like a pay and display meter that you might find in every car park but they could revolutionise the parking industry.

The machines both work in a similar fashion by recording a cars detail's when they enter a car park. The first machine then keeps a record of your number plate and car details. Upon leaving the car park the machine can check if you have paid the correct amount of money for the time that you stayed in the car park. If the machines records show that you have overstayed your pay and display time limit then it automatically issues a fine that will be sent to your home address.

The second machine works, again by recording data when you park in the car park such as number plate and your pay and display details. If your ticket runs out and the car is still in the car park or you have not paid to park the machine automatically sends an SMS to a near bye traffic warden who will come and issue your car with the appropriate ticket.

Development of these devices could see car park fine revenue rocket in the coming years and deter people from not paying and displaying. The scope for further development of these machines to record road tax and search for car insurance details could also help put a stop to uninsured drivers and road tax evaders.

Handheld equipment

Also unveiled at Parkex 2005 was a new hand held computer to be used by traffic wardens to issue tickets to illegally parked vehicles. The device incorporates a camera into the hand held unit that can send pictures of the car during the misdemeanour to a database for future use. This picture is also automatically printed onto the ticket which the car is issued with.

Parking officials believe that these machines will put an end to drivers disputing car parking tickets as it is plain to see the offence from the photograph.

So next time you nip down to the shops and leave the car in the bus lane just remember big brother is watching you.