Automated License Plate Recognition Procedure
What is it: Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR or LPR) captures and stores
digital images of license plates, and uses character recognition algorithms to identify
and store plate characters. The system creates a searchable computerized database
resulting from the mobile and fixed cameras at University of California, Merced. The
ALPR system data includes license plate number as well the date, time and location
when the image was collected.
Purpose: Identification of vehicles entering University of California, Merced Parking
lots will improve access control, enforcement of University of California, Merced
Parking Policy, electronic surveillance and enhance security and safety of University
of California, Merced. Information on vehicles coming to campus will be anonymized
and aggregated to analyze various metrics including parking patterns, permit-type
usage and compliance.
Training: LPR operators will receive initial training from the company (NuPark) on the
procedure and proper use of the system prior to being granted access to the LPR
system; each user will also receive annual refresher training from the assistant director
or designee.
Access: The Assistant Director of Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) will
be the custodian and head administrator of the ALPR systems and its operation.
The only individuals who have access and ability to query data in the system are:
• Assistant Director of Transportation and Parking Services
• Transportation and Parking Supervisor(s)
• Transportation and Parking Enforcement Officers
• Transportation and Parking Administration
All logins and queries will be stored and monitored including:
• Username
• Date
• Time
• Purpose of query
• License plate and other elements used to query the system
These data points will be stored and monitored by the Assistant Director of
Transportation and Parking. License plates will only be referenced against the campus
vehicle database.
The assistant director or their designee will also run periodic audits to ensure access
was made by authorized persons for legitimate business purposes.
Information Collected: Information collected by the ALPR system and University of
California, Merced Transportation and Parking Services is as follows:
For ALPR:
• License plate image captured
• License plate number
• License plate state
• Date
• Time
• Location
For University of California, Merced Vehicle Registration:
• Name
• ID number
• Student/Faculty/Staff email address
• Student/Faculty/Staff username
• Driver’s license number
• Permit type (commuter, resident, staff, faculty or adjunct faculty)
• Year, make, model, license plate number, license plate state, VIN and color of
your vehicle(s)
Security: We use administrative, operational, technical and physical safeguards to
protect ALPR information from unauthorized access, use, destruction, modification or
disclosure.
• Administrative: Username and password protected access to the LPR system.
Monitoring and auditing usage of database.
• Operational: Training and proper use and secure practices when using LPR and
its database.
• Physical: Secure storage of computers with access to database, and secure off-
site database.
• Technical: All information is encrypted to protect any personally identifiable
information. University of California, Merced uses Secure Sockets Layer
(SSL) to secure internet traffic. SSL is the industry standard security
protocol.
In the very unlikely event of an information breach, all individuals who are believed to be
affected or have their information compromised will be notified by University of California,
Merced.
For more information on what personal information is collected and how it is used,
please see the Automated License Plate Recognition Privacy Policy in Appendix A.
Quality Assurance: Collection of ALPR is automated so the license plate images and
details of collection are included in the system without review. Although infrequent,
license plate translation may be incomplete or inaccurate. The Assistant Director of
Transportation and Parking Services or their designee will ensure accuracy and correct
license plate translation errors when identified. Users will also confirm the computer
translation prior to taking any action based on ALPR results.
NuPark, the ALPR vendor will store the data (data hosting) and ensure proper
maintenance and security of data stored in their data towers. NuPark will also be in
charge of purging data at the end of the 60 days of storage.
Releasing ALPR Data: Information gathered or collected and records retained by
University of California, Merced not be:
• Sold, published, exchanged, or disclosed for commercial purposes.
• Disclosed or published without authorization.
• Disseminated to persons not authorized to access or use the information.
• University of California, Merced shall not confirm the existence or
nonexistence of information to any person or agency that would not be
eligible to receive the information unless otherwise required by law.
We will only share information with:
• Law enforcement without a subpoena during an exigent circumstance-type of
investigation.
• Title IX university investigators
• Other university official investigations requested by senior staff or Human
Resources.
Any other request will require a subpoena through the office of legal affairs.
Data Retention: License plates will be stored for no longer than 60 days, unless it is
involved in a citation, open appeal case, or law enforcement ongoing investigation or to
be used as evidence by a law enforcement agency. Data stored for longer will be
anonymized, aggregated and used for various analytics.
Privacy: This policy governs the Automated License Plate Recognition System (ALPR
System or ALPR) operated by University of California, Merced, and applies to our
employees, customers, and camera and data hosting affiliates.
The images stored in the system are collected from areas visible to the public where
there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. License plate image and affiliated data
will be purged after a 60 day period. For more information on University of California,
Merced’s privacy policy please visit: https://www.ucmerced.edu/privacy-statement
Changes to this Privacy Policy will be posted on the website. Parking on University of
California, Merced property constitutes acceptance and consent of the Privacy Policy
Notice.
