Colorado Springs explores new technology for parking enforcement
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The City of Colorado Springs is exploring new parking enforcement technologies, including a mobile license plate recognition system.
The city put out a request for proposal for a citation management system on Oct. 21.
Parking Enterprise Manager Alyssa Alt said they are always looking for ways to be more efficient and best use their dollars.
She added that it is standard to look around and explore what new technologies have entered the marketplace every five years.
According to the request for proposal, the City is exploring a mobile license plate recognition (LPR) enforcement system that can scan license plates while driving down streets or through parking lots.
"We don't currently use that. We may use that, but we want to make sure that we have an understanding of what the technology looks like, how much it costs, is it efficient for us," Alt said.
The use of these license plate readers and their ability to track cars has long been the subject of legal and public debate over whether it's an invasion of privacy.
"If a car has been there for over 24 hours, we maybe want to see if that car is abandoned or something has happened," Alt said.
Currently, parking enforcement officers use handheld devices to scan license plates.
"We don't get any information about if there's a stolen vehicle or anything. We don't pass information along to anyone. It is all just about parking. It really is about whether or not a car has permission to be there, has paid for parking, [or] has not paid for parking," Alt said.
The request for proposal also explores a monthly permit platform and a mobile-friendly payment platform that can be accessed online.
According to the documents, the on-street monthly parking permit program for residents is currently minimal and administered manually with physical hangtags.
The City is accepting proposals until Nov. 20.
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