UMBC uses virtual permits for all parking across campus. This system utilizes License Plate Recognition and will identify your vehicle by its license plate, removing the need for physical hangtags and allowing all permit holders to easily add and maintain multiple vehicles on their accounts.
What is LPR?
License Plate Recognition (LPR) is technology available that provides permits through the vehicle’s license plate in place of a hangtag.
Why are we implementing LPR?
LPR will enhance the parking experience on campus by allowing us to eliminate the need for physical parking permits, enhance efficiency, and lower operating costs.
What are the benefits?
- No need to worry about forgetting your permit or it falling from the rearview mirror
- Enhances safety and security on campus by allowing officers to receive a notification of vehicles that have been added to the State Police database for Amber Alerts, stolen vehicles, etc.
- No longer have to pay a replacement fee of $25.00 for lost or stolen permits
- Enables the ability to purchase permit online and not have to worry about coming to the office or waiting for it to arrive in the mail
- Reduces paper/envelopes, ink, and plastic used for permit distribution
- No need to return to your vehicle to display temporary, paper, or service permits
Can I add more than one car to my account?
Yes. You may register up to three vehicles under your account; however, please be advised that only one car can be in your assigned zone at any given time.
Permits
What are Virtual Permits?
Virtual permits completely replaces the physical hangtag that you hang from your rearview mirror. Your license plate will be the identifier within the campus parking system to determine if your car is parked in the assigned zone, or if your virtual permit is paid for.
Can another person use my virtual permit?
All virtual permits are non-transferable and can only be used by the individual it is assigned to. For couples that have separate permits, but drive each other’s vehicles, both vehicles must be registered on each account.
Will the parking zones change?
All parking privileges remain the same and are based on your virtual permit type.
Zone A – Commuter Student
Zone B – Walker Ave Apts.
Zone C – Resident Student
Zone D – Faculty/Staff
Zone E – Gated Faculty/Staff
Zone F – First-Year Resident
How do I sign up or purchase a Virtual Permit?
Students can register for a virtual permit online. New Faculty/ Staff who would like to sign up for payroll deduction must still come by the Parking Services offices to complete the Payroll Deduction Form. $2.00 Daily Virtual Permits for faculty/staff can be purchased online.
What is the option for the $2.00 daily permits?
Purchase a single permit, 5-pack, 10-pack, or a 20-pack online. Once the LPR scans your license plate, your permit will be active for that particular day. If you would like to pay by cash or check, you will have to come to our office.
What if I get a new license plate or a new vehicle?
It is essential that all vehicle information is kept up-to-date and correct in order to avoid getting an unnecessary citation. Please log into your parking account to update your information immediately after any change to your license plate.
I’m a new employee. How do I sign up for payroll deduction?
Payroll deduction is currently not available. We will reopen Payroll Deductions in August. New staff will receive an email notifying them that Payroll Deduction is now available.
I had payroll deduction last year. Do I need to do anything to get a virtual permit this year?
No. If you had a valid permit for the 2018/2019 school year, your permit will rollover to a virtual permit for the 2019/2020 school year. Note: Permits will not be processed for employees with an outstanding fine on their account.
Visitor Parking
How does this effect visitor parking?
Visitor parking will now be Pay – By – Plate.
What is pay-by-plate?
When purchasing parking at the pay station, the vehicle license plate number will have to be entered. The system then records the plate number and immediately issues a ‘virtual’ parking pass for the time period purchased. The paid parking is tied directly to the license plate that is entered. No paper ticket to place on your dashboard will be issued. However, there is the option of requesting a receipt if you require one.
What about guest codes?
The vehicle license plate will be entered, then the guests will enter the code provided to them. The system will record the plate number and immediately issue a virtual parking pass. A paper ticket to place on your dashboard will not be issued.
Privacy
How will my license plate information be used?
The license plate information collected in this process will only be referenced against the campus database for purposes of verifying parking permits on campus.
How long is the LPR data stored?
For cars parked legally, data is retained for 90 days. For cars parked illegally, data is retained for 180 days.
If a car is parked illegally, then what information is being collected and stored?
When a citation is issued the images are connected to the following records in the back office: citation record, vehicle record, and customer record.
Is the LPR data shared with 3rd parties outside of the University?
We may share your personal information outside the University as required by law, order of governmental authority, or court order to be disclosed.
The system is a cloud based system. What information is stored on the cloud?
All data collected by NuPark is stored on Microsoft Azure Servers. LPR images are stored on a separate encrypted database from the back office encrypted database.