Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.

Scan car

The municipality conducts parking checks using scan cars. The cameras on the scan car use an image recognition algorithm to recognise license plates and check whether the vehicle is allowed to park there.

Last change on 5th of January 2024, at 12:40 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
Publication category
Impactful algorithms
Impact assessment
Field not filled in.
Status
In use

General information

Theme

  • Public Order and Safety
  • Space and Infrastructure

Begin date

01-2019

Contact information

opendata@groningen.nl

Link to publication website

https://vimeo.com/307698982/bcddd9b4dd https://gemeente.groningen.nl/handhaving https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/54245b73619f46ef8962f2c3f7782925/page/Sensorenregister/?views=Verkeer

Link to source registration

https://data.groningen.nl/dataset/algoritmeregister-gemeente-groningen

Responsible use

Goal and impact

Groningen municipality would like to keep the city liveable and accessible. We do this by reducing parking in public spaces by various means. For example, by encouraging alternatives such as P+R, car parks, garages/neighbourhood car parks and on-site parking.

In addition, paid parking applies in large parts of the city. The municipality of Groningen monitors this paid parking using scan cars.

By deploying this algorithm, the probability of a parking check has increased, but the result remains the same.

Considerations

By using scan cars, the municipality of Groningen can carry out parking enforcement more simply, efficiently and carefully. A municipal supervisor tests whether the algorithm has been implemented correctly. This reduces the risk of errors, i.e. incorrectly imposed assessments.

Human intervention

Vehicles that do not have parking rights are forwarded to an enforcer from the municipality of Groningen. The enforcer checks again whether it is true that the car has no parking right. The enforcer checks whether the license plate has been properly scanned and whether there is a special situation. After these checks, the enforcer may or may not impose an additional assessment (parking fine).

Risk management

The municipality has chosen not to impose fully digitised after-tax assessments.

In case of a negative result (the vehicle does not appear to have parking rights), a municipal supervisor always checks the results of the algorithm.

The scanned license plates are only used for checking parking rights and not for other matters.

The license plate recognition system complies with all applicable privacy laws and regulations. There is no live video footage. It only involves images with license plate information. Only license plates where it has been found that there is no parking right are stored. Data of other vehicles will not be stored.

The data of those license plates that have received a reference charge are retained according to the applicable objection and appeal periods.

Legal basis

According to sections 149 and 225 of the Municipalities Act and article 2a of the Road Traffic Act 1994, the municipality may adopt an ordinance for fiscal parking enforcement. This is an ordinance that lays down the rules around parking within the municipality. These are redefined annually. The municipality's website explains this further and refers to the appropriate documents.

Links to legal bases

  • Parkeerbeleid Gemeente Groningen: https://gemeente.groningen.nl/parkeerbeleid
  • Gemeentewet: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0005416
  • Wegenverkeerswet 1994: https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0006622/

Operations

Data

The algorithm uses the license plates scanned by the scanning car. Furthermore, it uses the database of the National Parking Register. This database receives data from the various parking apps and parking meters. It also uses a database containing the parking permits of Groningen residents. The algorithm also uses overviews of parking spaces within the municipality. This overview is created by the municipality itself.

Links to data sources

website leverancier: https://ars-traffic.com/solutions/smart-parking/sospes-parking-enforcement/

Technical design

The electric scanning car makes daily rounds of the city to check whether motorists have paid for a parking space. On top of the car are cameras. These cameras automatically scan all license plates of parked cars and use an image recognition algorithm to identify license plates. The license plates are compared with a database containing all registered parking entitlements, both those of permit holders and purchased tickets. A positive result means the car has a valid parking right. In case of a negative result, something is not right and is checked by a supervisor.

External provider

ARS Traffic & Support

Similar algorithm descriptions

  • The municipality uses scan cars to perform parking checks. The cameras on the scan car use an image recognition algorithm to 1) recognize license plates and 2) check in the parking rights database whether the vehicle is allowed to park there.

    Last change on 12th of July 2024, at 9:26 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
    Publication category
    Impactful algorithms
    Impact assessment
    DPIA
    Status
    In use
  • To carry out parking controls, the municipality uses scan cars. The cameras on the scan car use an image recognition algorithm to 1) recognise license plates and 2) check in the parking rights database whether the vehicle is allowed to park there.

    Last change on 12th of July 2024, at 9:15 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
    Publication category
    Impactful algorithms
    Impact assessment
    DPIA
    Status
    In use
  • Short description With the scan car, the municipality carries out parking checks. The scan car uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, identifies license plates and checks parking entitlements. The license plates without parking rights are transferred to the enforcement system for the purpose of collecting the parking tax due.

    Last change on 24th of November 2024, at 20:30 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
    Publication category
    Impactful algorithms
    Impact assessment
    DPIA
    Status
    In use
  • Short description With the scan car, the municipality carries out parking checks. The scan car uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras, identifies license plates and checks parking entitlements. The license plates without parking rights are transferred to the enforcement system for the purpose of collecting the parking tax due.

    Last change on 3rd of September 2024, at 5:57 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
    Publication category
    Impactful algorithms
    Impact assessment
    Field not filled in.
    Status
    In use
  • In the city, parking is paid and the municipality checks parking rights with scan cars. If the result is positive, the car has valid parking rights. If the result is negative, an employee always checks whether a tax assessment needs to be drawn up.

    Last change on 18th of July 2024, at 14:59 (CET) | Publication Standard 1.0
    Publication category
    Other algorithms
    Impact assessment
    DPIA, IAMA
    Status
    In use