Airport Parking News

The recent announcement that CCTV images can now be used as evidence in the issuing of parking fines is of consequence to every local authority. The new regulation stipulate that CCTV can only be used in areas deemed “to difficult or sensitive” for an attendant to operate, such as a fast flowing road or a busy junction. Now, fines can be issued through the post up to 14 days after the alleged offence has occurred.

According to the RAC, of Britain’s 25m cars just 1m are on the move. Across England and Wales, the number of parking tickets handed out to motorists is approaching 8 million annually. In the capital, penalty notices have jumped by 45% in four years to
5.9 m. If even a small percentage of this volume is made up of fines despatched via post then local council must be equipped to cope this still represents a significant volume of mail that local authorities were not previously having to process.

Today, the entire messaging cycle can be automated (controlled via barcodes to ensure 100% integrity). Technology is available to fold and insert documents into envelopes which can then be processed via digital meters which automatically weigh each mail piece and add the correct postage amount to each item. This results in professionally presented and cost efficient communications.

A more streamlined, automated approach will ensure that any communications concerning parking fines are totally accurate and despatched on time to the right person.

www.Parctel.com: Ampco System Parking, a wholly owned subsidiary of ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE:ABM), has been awarded a multiyear, multimillion-dollar contract with Dallas / Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport’s Terminal Link. The contract covers Terminal Link shuttle bus operations utilizing CNG equipped vehicles that transport passengers and guests between all DFW terminals.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with DFW’s Terminal Link,” said Rich Kindorf, president of Ampco System Parking. “Our extensive expertise in managing airport parking operations enables us to provide dependable, efficient and environmentally friendly ground transportation services to meet the needs of one of the busiest airports in the nation,” he added.

“Ampco has and continues to provide excellent service to passengers needing transportation from one terminal to another,” said Armin Cruz, vice president of the parking business unit for DFW. “We are excited about our partnership with Ampco and look forward to working together to provide service that exceeds guest expectation.”

DFW's Terminal Link service provides free transportation between terminals using a fleet of new passenger shuttle vans. The service may be used for passengers needing to transfer to another terminal after they have exited security, and it is ideal for terminal parkers who need to get back to a vehicle parked at another terminal.

Located halfway between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, DFW International Airport is the world's third busiest airport, offering nearly 1,900 flights per day. Serving more than 60 million passengers a year, DFW provides nonstop flights to 133 domestic and 36 international destinations worldwide. For the latest news, real-time flight information, parking availability or further details regarding the services provided at DFW International Airport, visit www.dfwairport.com.

Source: Business Wire

www.Parctel.com: When handing your vehicle over for valet parking set your odometer to zero. Many vehicles have different trip meters so set the second one to zero. At least you will then have peace of mind that you can check your trip meter for any unauthorised 'joy riding' that may take place whilst your vehicle is safely in the airport parking lot.

www.Parctel.com: License Plate Recognition Technology Advances Parking Operations at InterContinental Hotel in Buckhead, Atlanta

Glenhaven, CA and Rishon LeZion, Israel, February 20, 2008. Hi-Tech Solutions Ltd. (HTS) and Computerized Valet Parking Systems, Inc. (CVPS) today announced the implementation of a parking system with License Plate Recognition (LPR) solution at the InterContinental Hotel in Buckhead, Atlanta. The hotel’s parking garage, with a capacity of 500 cars, is managed by AAA Parking.

The innovative valet parking system and LPR application identifies the vehicle, valet driver and captures the license plate data. The system has been installed at InterContinental’s parking garage entrance, automating the license plate number capturing and tagging process, preventing bottlenecks, which is especially effective during conventions. HTS’s LPR system is integrated with CVPS’s valet system, which includes digital cameras, self-serve request kiosks, point-of-sale terminals, and barrier gate arms.

CVPS’s valet system automatically takes a series of images from all sides of the vehicle, and stores the license plate information into its archive. If a customer files a damage claim, the car’s photos are retrieved from the system.

CVPS’s customer request kiosks located near the hotel lobby allow departing customers to initiate their vehicle retrieval and pay their parking fee with simple swipes of their bar-coded ticket and credit card. Customers may wait inside the hotel in view of the staging area until their vehicle is delivered. In addition, the CVPS system is also connected to the hotel management system (OPERA).

“The innovative parking solutions improve the service to hotel guests and convention attendees, prevent complaints and bottlenecks, and allow automatic fee calculation,” said Bo Laterveer, Vice President of AAA Parking. “In addition, it saves insurance expenses due to the ability to verify damage claims with pictures.”

“AAA Parking’s selection of License Plate Recognition-based solutions further emphasizes the importance of integrating this technology in the ongoing process of parking facility management,” said Meta Rotenberg, VP Business Development, HTS. “Our LPR solutions implement proprietary image processing software architecture and algorithms for recognition of characters and digits, and specially developed camera and illumination systems optimally designed for capturing the target images.”

“InterContinental Buckhead sets new standards of luxury and now operates the latest technologies in its parking garage,” said Andy Preas, VP Service Tracking Systems, CVPS. “Our systems provide AAA Parking and hotel management with real-time information and reports, and management can catch service lapses and reach out to the customers before they complain.”

About Computerized Valet Parking Systems, Inc. (CVPS)

Computerized Valet Parking Systems, Inc. (CVPS) is a subsidiary of Service Tracking Systems, Inc. (STS). STS is a vertical market technology solutions company designed to elevate customer service, increase productivity, minimize liabilities and enhance facility security. CheckPointLPR, CVPS and Bell Desk Systems are three core product examples of STS’s innovative design concepts that have swept the industry since 1994, now servicing over 300 clients within the most elite organizations in the continental United States and Canada. Members of the STS team have over 60 collective years of extensive experience as owners, operators, and employees in front service technology sectors. For more information, visit us at www.cvaletps.com

About Hi-Tech Solutions Ltd. (HTS)

HTS is a leading developer and supplier of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) computer vision systems for a wide range of applications in the security, automation and management fields for the ports and traffic markets. HTS has successfully implemented commercial Container Code Recognition (CCR) and License Plate Recognition (LPR) systems in ports, traffic and security sectors in 30 countries worldwide, and has established partnerships with top tier global companies in over 10 countries. For more information, visit www.htsol.com

About AAA Parking

AAA Parking is an Atlanta based parking company, providing valet and self-parking operation management for hotels, office buildings, hospitals and special event facilities. As part of Selig Enterprises, AAA Parking has been in business for over 50 years and currently provides parking services for over 200 locations in five states. For more information please visit www.aaaparking.com