BALL STATE PARKING SERVICES TRANSITION TO THE NEW LICENSE
PLATE RECOGNITION SYSTEM (LPR)
Why is Ball State transitioning to this new system?
LPR technology will afford the University significant costs savings over time in printing, postage,
and labor costs. LPR also provides the means to conduct parking enforcement in a more
efficient manner with more accurate reporting of compliance violations.
LPR also allows Parking Services to monitor, with more accuracy, the remaining capacity of any
campus surface lot or parking garage.
What happens when an IP camera-equipped enforcement vehicle encounters a violation, and
what violations is the system able to record?
The LPR technology allows the University Parking Services employee to print a violation on the
spot and place it on the vehicle in question. It also records a visual record of the license plate in
violation.
Just as in the old system, where a Parking Services employee would visually identify violations,
the LPR system checks against a database to ensure a vehicle:
possesses a valid/current registration
is parked in the proper lot or garage
Does the LPR system keep a permanent record of all the license plates it scans?
No. Only license plates determined to not be in compliance with Parking Services rules and
regulations are photographed and recorded.
Does the LPR system eliminate the need for the traditional color-coded window stickers?
Yes. The stickers will no longer be necessary, providing savings in terms of printing and mailing
costs.
How many vehicles can be registered under a single permit?
A valid Ball State permit holder may still register up to 10 vehicles, with different license plates,
under the new LPR system. This eliminates the need to transfer window stickers from one
vehicle to another. It is important to note that only one vehicle under a single permit may be
parked in an official University lot or garage at a time.
Will the color-coded signage identifying the various surface lots and garages on campus
change?
No. You will still purchase your permit online according the existing parking categories. The LPR
database will know the type of permit you have purchased and confirm you are parked in the
right lot.
Currently, visitor spaces in the parking garages are numbered, and those using the spaces enter
that number at the pay station. Will this procedure change?
Yes. Under the new LPR system, those using visitor spaces in a garage will enter their license
plate number at the pay station.
What about those who prefer to back in to either a surface lot or garage parking space?
You may continue to back your vehicle into a parking space; however, you will need to purchase
a special front license plate that can be read by the LPR enforcement vehicle cameras. That may
be done in the Parking Services office after you purchase a permit. There will be a one-time cost
of $15.
What about University departments, vendors, and other entities that purchase permits in bulk
quantities?
In these cases, the current procedure for providing parking hang tags will not change.
