From January 7th 2020 Warsaw owns new tool for controlling drivers not paying for SPPN parking, i.e. in the Paid Unguarded Parking Zone.
E-control, because that is how the initiative is called, increases the effectiveness of verification activities in these areas. As argued by the Department of Social Communication of the Municipal Road Authority in Warsaw, the e-control system achieves comparable effectiveness with several pedestrian patrols. It is estimated that within 10 minutes this method can check about a quarter of a thousand cars. In assumptions, e-control will minimize the number of people risking non-payment of parking fees, and will additionally support faster vehicle rotation at parking spaces. What’s more, in the future this system is to allow the resignation of paper tickets inserted behind the window of the vehicle.
How does the control works?
Two electric Nissan cars equipped with cameras and sensors located on the vehicles roof, monitor payment for parking. Cameras scan the registration numbers of vehicles parked in the SPPN and transfer this data to the database of the Municipal Road Authority. There is a verification of the fee (or lack of it) paid for the vehicle. The check is carried out twice, in a small break, to eliminate mistakes or vehicles whose driver is just going to the parking meter. In the verification process, the computer system gives only those vehicle numbers that were not paid during a double check. An automatically generated call for fee is sent to drivers who have not paid for the parking space. Other vehicle registration numbers whose drivers have paid parking fees (also via the mobile application) or have a subscription are automatically deleted. After the entire verification process, the documents are also sent by traditional post. To avoid traffic obstructions caused by the car’s maneuvers, walking patrols will continue to take place in areas that are difficult to access for vehicles.
It is very important that the system allows full anonymity of those inspected and those that are passing by, by automatically covering all faces that appear when taking pictures.
First effects of the e-control
It turned out that the e-control system is very effective. During the first day 4,481 vehicles were inspected. As much as 13% of cars were parked without paying a special fee. This means that 603 additional fee documents have been issued. The Municipal Roads Authority in Warsaw hopes that the new system will allow to minimize the number of people not paying for parking spaces and improve the operation of parking lots, thanks to which road transport will be smoother.
As a forwarding company, we try to avoid city centers. Logistics centers are usually at a distance from the agglomeration, which makes our work easier. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to avoid entering the city and parking. In this situation, remember to check the parking regulations in the city. This will avoid unpleasant surprises.