Licence Plate Recognition

Parking Enforcement with Automatic Licence Plate Reader (ALPR)

Streets lined with parked cars increase congestion and make it difficult for snow plows and emergency vehicles to pass.

The City of Brampton is introducing Automatic Licence Plate Reader (ALPR) technology - an enforcement vehicle fitted with cameras that will patrol city streets. When it identifies illegally parked vehicles, Enforcement Officers can issue Penalty Notices right away.

This new technology is quicker and more efficient, and in the long term will help reduce congestion on our streets.

Remember, public parking spaces are public because they are for sharing. If you park longer than what’s allowed or without a valid parking permit, it reduces the spots available to others.

FAQs

What is the new licence plate recognition system and how does it operate?

This system consists of cameras affixed to a vehicle and an in-vehicle display connected to the parking enforcement network. The vehicle will patrol City streets and record the licence plate and location of vehicles parked on the street. The system will alert the officer to vehicles which remain parked on the street in excess of three hours without a parking consideration. The system will also alert officers to vehicles which are parked on the street between 2am – 6am without a parking consideration, without having the officer stop to enter the licence plate of the vehicle.

Why is the City introducing this new technology?

Each year, the City responds to over 20,000 public complaints of vehicles parked illegally for more than three hoursor during the prohibited time of 2 am to 6 am. Responding to such complaints is resource intensive and time-consuming. With the new ALPR vehicle, the City can engage in more proactive and reactive patrolling at a faster rate.

How will this new technology benefit Brampton residents and the City?

This technology will allow Enforcement staff to more efficiently respond to public requests, and to conduct patrols in areas where the City frequently receives reports of vehicles parking on the street for extended periods of time. It will improve parking spot availability, support the safe passage of plows and emergency vehicles on our streets, and over the long term, work to reduce congestion.

When does this launch?

Mid January 2020.

What about privacy?

The City takes privacy protection seriously. Access to photographs captured by the ALPR cameras, which include images of licence plate numbers, is strictly controlled and subject to audit. Where photographs are not used to issue a Penalty Notice, they are not retained (these photographs are automatically deleted after 48 hours). Where photographs are used to issue a Penalty Notice, they are retained in accordance with the City’s Record Retention By-Law (these photographs are retained for 6 years after the matter has been resolved).
When parking penalties are not paid within the due date, the City will reach out to Service Ontario to obtain ownership details of licence plates. The City will also disclose unpaid fines associated with a licence plate number to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Will the cameras capture any other visuals (i.e. pedestrians)?

Cameras may capture pedestrians while photographing vehicles parked on the street. This may also occur currently when officers photograph illegally parked vehicles with handheld digital cameras. Photographs that are not required as part of investigation are deleted after 48 hours. Photographs that form evidence as part of a Penalty Notice are retained for 6 years after the matter has been resolved.

Which areas of Brampton will the vehicle be used?

The vehicle could be used anywhere in Brampton, however will frequently patrol areas that experience a large volume of public complaints, as well as municipal parking garages.

Does the ALPR vehicle have to pass by the street periodically to identify if there is illegal parking?

Not necessarily. The ALPR vehicle when passing through a street first, marks the location and licence plate number of all the existing vehicles that are street parked. This data is available online to all Enforcement Officers. After three hours, any Enforcement Officer in that area will be able to review the online details provided by the ALPR vehicle and issue a penalty for those cars that have overstayed.

Is one vehicle sufficient for a big city like Brampton?

At this time, one ALPR vehicle will be used. Based on the learnings and the ability to effectively and rapidly respond to complaints using this technology, additional ALPR vehicles may be used in the future.

The ALPR vehicle in fact will help speed up Enforcement. Having the ALPR’s information available in real time, digitally by all Enforcement Officers, will help them respond to complaints faster and more efficiently.

How will the Penalty Notice be issued?

Current process will be followed i.e. the Notice will be affixed to the vehicle.

What precautions can a resident take to avoid getting a Penalty Notice?

In municipal garages or where parking meters exist, be sure to display the valid parking ticket on the dashboard and remove your car before the parking ticket expires.
In residential areas, if you are parked on the street, remove the car before the three hours to avoid receiving a Penalty Notice. Alternatively, move the car to another location after three hours. Others in the community may require street parking as well, so be mindful of your neighbours.
If you or your guests need to park for more than three hours or between 2 am to 6 am, you can apply to the City for a free parking consideration. This is offered for a maximum of 14 days in a year for each licence plate. If you are hosting for the holidays or having overnight guests, apply for a parking consideration.
If you have a boulevard on your private property, your car can be parked horizontally on the paved area between the sidewalk and street.

What happens if licence plate is covered by snow and not legible?

During a snowfall, vehicles should not be parked on the street in order to provide easy access for snow plows and emergency vehicles. If the ALPR vehicle is not able to read the licence plate, it can be addressed manually by an Enforcement Officer. Any complaints can be sent to the City by emailing 311@brampton.ca or calling 311.

How are Penalty Notices settled?

For details on how to pay or dispute the parking Penalty Notice, visit the City website. Dispute process is managed by the City of Brampton and not the courthouse.

​​​​Parking Enforcement with Automatic Licence Plate Reader (ALPR)

FAQs

Parking Enforcement with Automatic Licence Plate Reader (ALPR)