Mobile Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) will enable automatic licence plate recognition to efficiently address parking violations. Camera-mounted compliance vehicles will identify parking status of parked vehicles. Information collected by the LPR vehicles can alert Compliance Officers of parking violations.
Benefits of LPR include:
• Improved traffic enforcement and efficient parking management
• Data analytics and traffic insights
• Data accuracy and quality
• Cost effective operations
Common questions
- Why are there cameras on compliance vehicles?
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As part of the municipality’s Regional Council-approved plan to improve commuter experiences and staff efficiencies through integrated parking technology solutions, the municipality has added cameras equipped with Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) technology. This vehicle-mounted camera system operates by taking a photo of the licence plate and advising Compliance Officers if a vehicle is not in compliance with parking regulations.
- How does LPR impact parking?
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There are many benefits to LPR technology. The LPR vehicle improves public parking by automating the recognition of licence plates. Each case that is detected by the LPR vehicle is reviewed by a Compliance Officer. Compliance Officers can be more efficient by targeting vehicles which are not in compliance, instead of having to manually check each vehicle. In addition, LPR technology reduces human error by automating the process of checking licence plate status, ensuring accurate and efficient identification of vehicles.
- What types of images and data is LPR collecting?
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The LPR system captures up to two images of vehicles when a licence plate is detected: a context image of the vehicle and its immediate surroundings and an image of the licence plate. Images are not of a resolution that allows for the identification of vehicle occupants, if any. The LPR software translates the licence plate image into text.
Along with the images, the LPR system also records the GPS coordinates and date/time information of the observation. The licence plate text, date, time, and GPS information is referred to as metadata.
- Is the camera recording my information?
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The LPR cameras will not be recording video. It only takes still photos of licence plates and the immediate surroundings of the vehicle.
- Is my information stored securely?
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The municipality is committed to protecting your privacy.
If a vehicle is in compliance, metadata is retained for 365 days. Images are kept for 30 days. No owner information (e.g. plate owner name, address, Master Number, etc.) is captured or requested. If a vehicle is not in compliance and results in issuing a ticket, the metadata is retained until it is purged from the system. Unresolved ticket data will not be purged. Owner information is only requested if a ticket remains unpaid after seven days. This is no different than the current process.
Halifax Regional Municipality treats license plate data with the utmost security. The municipality takes a number of steps to protect license plate data and requires that subcontractors who hold or process the data take protective steps, too. Those steps include restricting access to information to authorized personnel, data encryption, secure storage protocols, and regular audits.
In accordance with Section 485 of the Municipal Government Act, SNS 1998, c 18, the personal information collected to administer this program will only be used by municipal staff and, if necessary, individuals and/or organizations under service contract with the municipality for purposes relating to parking services.
If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, please contact the Access & Privacy Office at 902-943-2148 or privacy@halifax.ca.
- Why is the municipality retaining my data?
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Retaining parking data for longer periods allows for historical analysis, which can be valuable for planning, decision-making, and identifying trends over time. This historical data can provide insights that help improve services and operations.
- Are there other cities that use LPR technology?
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LPR technology has a proven track record in numerous jurisdictions and campuses across North America, demonstrating its effectiveness in supporting parking enforcement and contributing to overall community safety including cities such as:
- Town of Oakville, Ontario
- City of Spokane, Washington
- City of Eugene, Oregon
- How can I stay informed about LPR?
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Information about the LPR system, including its operation and any updates, is typically communicated through halifax.ca/transportation/parking or by contacting 311.
- How many vehicles will have LPR cameras?
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The system operates with two cameras mounted on a Halifax compliance vehicle and related gear that scans licence plates, instantly connecting to information available to Compliance Officers through the integrated parking technology systems. The cameras are angled so as to detect parked vehicles.
Two compliance vehicles will be equipped with the new gear.