Illegal parking is a problem across states, but AI cameras may change that. When it comes to minor traffic offences, parking illegally has been done by most people at some point. While it sometimes cannot be helped, it is important to remember that parking illegally not only can inconvenience other drivers and people who may live in the surrounding area, but can sometimes also lead to accidents or prevent others from accessing important facilities such as a fire hydrant. To combat this, Philadelphia is cracking down on illegally parked vehicles.
New tickets for illegally parked vehicles
Tickets are one of the most utilized ways traffic officers try to deter people from committing traffic offences. They not only punish drivers for breaking the law, but also actively discourage people from doing it, particularly if the fine is high. However, it has been noted that the effectiveness of fines is dependent on a variety of factors such as enforcement consistency, public awareness, and the perceived fairness of the penalties.
Nevertheless, Philadelphia has decided to go ahead with fining illegally parked vehicles. The initiative started on May 7, with fines increasing in amount based on where you are illegally parked. If you are caught parking in bus lanes, no stopping zones, or double parked across a major city, you will be fined $76 if caught in the city center and $51 for all other areas.
New AI cameras to assist with implementing fines
As part of the initiative, Philadelphia is using the help of AI cameras to catch vehicles illegally parking in these locations. A successful 70-day pilot imitative, the cameras caught over 36,000 vehicles illegally parked on bus lanes for the route 21 and 42 buses. The cameras work by being attached to buses, which then photograph the vehicles. These images are then sent to law enforcement to determine if a ticket must be issued.
“Thanks to these cameras, we are increasing efficiency in our streets to make our city even more accessible. I want to thank everyone who made this bill possible.” said Philadelphia Mayor Kim Kenney
The initiative from the Philadelphia Parking Authority is the result of officials across several departments combining skills and initiative to get the cameras installed to catch people who are illegally parked. The collaborative effort has paid off, with the city now able to identify more illegally parked vehicles than it would purely by sticking to traffic cops on the ground. The program’s official introduction will now see the expansion of AI cameras installed on approximately 152 SEPTA buses and 38 trolleys.
“There is no better example of intergovernmental cooperation and collaboration than our 3 agencies working together to use smart camera vision technology…,” said Philadelphia Parking Authority Executive Director Rich Lazer.
Cameras are increasingly relied upon to catch traffic offences
The state of Pennsylvania as a whole, where Philadelphia is located, has been cracking down on driving laws for the past year. In January of this year, the Senate passed a bill which allowing for the installation of red-light cameras installed in at least 19 cities across the state. The cameras are proposed to be installed in high-risk intersections to lower the incidents of red-light running in areas with lots of traffic.
The use of cameras to lower traffic accident incidents and to prevent people from breaking the law is being seen across states. In Connecticut, the state launched their first ever municipally-operated speed and red light camera programs this year. The pilot program was launched in 2023 and had great success, with over 700 fines amounting to at least $75 being issued, as well as nearly 25,000 warnings issued towards first-time offenders. These initiatives are highlighting how technology can be used as an effective tool to enforce traffic laws.
