Hamburg, December 13 – In an effort to combat illegal parking and streamline parking enforcement, Hamburg is introducing a new digital parking control system. This initiative will involve the deployment of up to nine camera-equipped vehicles that will scan license plates and automatically cross-reference them with valid resident parking permits and digital parking tickets.
Digitalisation to Commence in the New Year
Starting next year, a single camera car will initially be tested in two resident parking zones. The plan is to gradually expand the fleet to up to nine vehicles, covering all parking zones across the city. The primary function of these vehicles will be to photograph license plates, which will then be automatically compared with resident and visitor parking permits. If a vehicle is found to be unauthorized, a city employee will be dispatched to issue a parking ticket, ensuring more targeted and efficient enforcement.
No More Paper Parking Tickets, Less Bureaucracy
The introduction of the new system also entails a significant change in how parking tickets are issued. All parking meters in Hamburg will be converted to a digital system where drivers will input their license plates instead of printing physical tickets. This digital record will then be matched with the data collected by the camera cars. Ole Torben Buschhüter (SPD) highlighted the benefits, stating, “The great advantage is that drivers can simply prove their parking authorization by entering their license plate. This is a huge step towards reducing bureaucracy.”
Resident Parking Permits to Go Digital
Another key change is the elimination of physical resident parking permits. Soon, residents will no longer need to print and display their permits on their windscreens. Transport Senator Anjes Tjarks emphasized in the Transport Committee, “We don’t want to collect more fines; we want to reduce bureaucracy and deter illegal parkers by increasing controls.”
Political Support and Data Protection Concerns
The measure has garnered support from the SPD, Greens, and the Left Party, who believe that the camera cars will also help identify illegally parked vehicles on sidewalks, cycle paths, and fire lanes. The CDU, however, is still reviewing the measure, citing concerns about data protection. The AfD is the only party that outright rejects the planned license plate scanning, with their parliamentary group leader Dirk Nockemann expressing concerns about excessive surveillance and the concept of a “transparent citizen.”
For the new system to launch next year, Hamburg must enact a new law. The Senate has dismissed data protection concerns, stating that only license plates will be scanned, and the numbers of authorized parked vehicles will be immediately deleted.
European Cities Already Utilizing Camera Vehicles
Hamburg is not alone in adopting such technology. Baden-Württemberg has been testing a similar system with “scan cars” since spring, capable of scanning up to 1,000 vehicles per hour, compared to approximately 50 with traditional methods, according to the state’s Ministry of Transport. Several other European cities, including Rotterdam, Paris, Rome, and Warsaw, already employ camera-equipped vehicles for parking enforcement.
This new system represents a significant shift in Hamburg’s approach to parking management, aiming to create a more efficient and less bureaucratic process while simultaneously addressing the issue of illegal parking more effectively.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/gegen-falschparker-hamburg-startet-digitales-parkkontrollsystem,falschparker-104.html
