University Parking with LPR Technology

 

By Trystan Henry

Many universities are enhancing accessibility by using License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology to improve ADA parking. In many cities, municipalities often offer free curbside parking and free spots in garages for vehicles with ADA plates. Visitors often expect the same reduced fee when parking in a university. Using LPR cameras, this process becomes seamless—instantly validating ADA plates without the need for physical permits, manual validation, or even payment.

For individuals with disabilities, the benefits are significant. Traditionally, they would need to manually display a permit or placard and sometimes go through a validation process or pay at a kiosk. With LPR technology, their license plates are automatically recognized as eligible for ADA parking, eliminating these extra steps and making parking more convenient and accessible.

At universities using this technology, LPR cameras scan vehicles as they enter parking areas, instantly detecting ADA symbols on plates. This allows for a truly hassle-free experience, while also ensuring better enforcement of ADA-designated spaces. Drivers with disabilities no longer need to worry about manual validations or extra fees—it’s all taken care of automatically.

Could we see more rapid adoption of this technology across universities and cities for ADA parking? Given its benefits, LPR’s potential to improve accessibility and reduce misuse is clear. Universities are setting a new standard in making parking more inclusive, efficient, and stress-free for everyone.

Trystan Henry is a Manager of Parking & Transportation with the University of Southern Maine. Trystan can be reached at trystan.henry@maine.edu.