A focus on camera technology

The PARK NOW PayLater option

RingGo phone service links with Sagoss ANPR at SWR rail stations

Enforcement cameras at South Western Railway (SWR) station car parks have been linked to a phone parking system to offer drivers a more seamless payment experience.

On 5 January cashless parking provider RingGo launched PARK NOW PayLater at 59 stations across the SWR network. South Western operates commuter services from London Waterloo to south-west London, Surrey, Hampshire and Dorset, and regional services in Devon, Somerset, Berkshire and Wiltshire.

The cashless parking system is designed to reduce the stress that comes with parking in timesensitive situations, such as when travelling by rail, by giving motorists extra time to pay for their parking. PARK NOW PayLater allows drivers to either start a session as they park or, if they are in the rush, to pay in arrears after have they parked and are on-board a train.

Cars parked at many SWR stations can now be tracked using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras provided Sagoss. The cameras automatically identify the time at which a vehicle enters or exits a car park.

Drivers who have downloaded the RingGo app choose the correct SWR location, see the time they entered the car park has been logged and then pay for their parking whilst on the go.

RingGo has worked with several parking operators to connect ANPR systems to its payment functions. In December 2020, Ashford Borough Council launched a RingGo Sagoss ANPR-enabled barrier parking solution. RingGo delivered the integrated solution in just four working days, enabling the council to provide a seamless barriered parking payment experience for drivers.

ANPR systems can also be integrated with RingGo’s virtual permit system. Last year RingGo assisted in the launch of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme by the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham. The LTN uses paperless parking permits issued via RingGo and ANPR cameras to enforce reduced traffic in the local area.

RingGo has also assisted in the roll-out of ANPR solutions across the London Borough of Merton, where the cameras are being used in zones around schools to help alleviate congestion issues.

Peter O’Driscoll, managing director of RingGo, said: “RingGo is always looking for ways to make parking easier for drivers and local authorities. Leveraging ANPR systems for parking solutions helps make journeys more convenient for drivers and more manageable for local authorities. We’re hoping 2021 will be a year where we can expand our ANPR solutions and help councils to become more streamlined and technologically-enabled.”

Sunderland offers cashless parking option

Sunderland City Council is now offering the RingGo cashless phone service as an alternative to paying for parking at machines.

The cashless service will be promoted through ‘how to register’ videos, social media images tailored for each customer and a customised app screen that showcases Sunderland’s pier and lighthouse as the chosen landmark.

In addition, RingGo and Sunderland City Council will be promoting the transfer of service via radio, electronic traffic signs and out of home promotions.

The council said motorists could reduce exposure to COVID-19 by using their phone to park. Cllr Paul Stewart, deputy leader at Sunderland City Council, said: “We are pleased to be moving to a phone parking solution, especially during these times when many motorists are wary of touching machines due to COVID-19.

“In this day and age, cashless parking plays a vital part in supporting the safety and security of both residents and visitors, so this transfer to RingGo could not have come at a better time.”

RingGo said it had a record year in 2020, with a dozen councils switching from an alternative solution to RingGo. Peter O’Driscoll, managing director of RingGo said: “The launch with Sunderland City Council speaks volumes of our work and commitment to making parking simpler and safer for drivers.

“Throughout the pandemic, RingGo has been working directly with local authorities and parking operators to ensure they can safely support the needs of motorists and employees. Having successfully delivered 12 transitions throughout 2020, this launch definitely sets us up in a strong position to take on 2021.”

The 12 transitions of service in 2020 from alternative solutions to RingGo included Dartford, Buckinghamshire, Ashford, the London Borough of Havering, Salford, Bradford, Devon County, Exeter, Windsor, Teignbridge, Leeds and Winchester.

RingGo is part of the PARK NOW Group, jointly owned by BMW Group and Daimler AG.

A bagged P&D machine

Videalert ANPR system used by Hammersmith & Fulham council

The London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham has installed CCTV enforcement cameras to cover temporary vehicle restriction zones designed to stop non-residents rat-running through streets in SW6. The Videalert cameras are covering streets including Harwood Terrace, Imperial Road and Bagley’s Lane.

The scheme followed a sixmonth trial closure of Harwood Terrace, which was aimed to reduce the 92% of traffic in the area that came from people who live outside the borough.

Nine Videalert cameras were installed as part of the Harwood Terrace scheme and were switched on in mid-July following the installation of relevant signage by the council. The Videalert cameras use the ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) technology to capture the number plates of motorists who enter these roads with fines issued to those that do not hold a valid residents’ parking permit. The council anticipates that the LTN scheme will significantly reduce the through-traffic east of Wandsworth Bridge Road, including through Harwood Terrace, and improve bus journey times at the Bagley’s Lane junction. Traffic previously able to cut through to New Kings Road will also be eliminated helping to reduce noise, air pollution and vehicle emissions in line with the council’s climate emergency strategy.

The council is also introducing full width speed humps and planters at the width restrictions to reinforce traffic calming and improve the visual feel of Harwood Terrace.

The data is transmitted to a Department for Transport Manufacturer Certified hosted platform that integrates with the council’s permit systems to ensure that resident and key ‘permitted vehicles’ can pass through control points and move around the area without obstacle. Videalert’s hosted platform maintains an ‘exempt list’ of permitted vehicles that includes buses, taxis, emergency services, refuse trucks and council service vehicles.

The high-definition ANPR cameras automatically capture the number plates of vehicles committing an offence.

This data is transmitted to the Videalert platform where evidence packs are automatically compiled for review through a secure online portal prior to penalty charge notices (PCNs) being issued.

Videalert is part of the Marston Holdings transportation and enforcement services group.

LTN gateway signage

Cameras to enforce Birmingham CAZ

Siemens Mobility has completed the installation of all 67 monitoring and enforcement cameras for Birmingham City Council’s new Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which is scheduled to go live on 1 June .

The CAZ scheme has been designed to deter the most polluting vehicles from entering the zone. Covering all Class D vehicles, which includes buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, light and heavy goods vehicles and cars, albeit with certain exemptions. The system will cover all the major routes within the Middleway Ring Road (but not the ring road itself).

The Sicore II automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will be installed across the city centre. The cameras will identify and register every vehicle that enters the CAZ on 24/7 basis. It is anticipated the system will capture details of around 200,000 vehicles per day, with only a small percentage expected to be in contraventions.

Cllr Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “Poor air quality remains a public health risk and a CAZ provides the city with an effective tool for tackling this issue in the shortest possible time. The work that Siemens Mobility has done plays a huge part in the preparation for Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone. I would urge drivers who come into the city to ensure they are aware of all of the changes and the support on offer by visiting the Brum Breathes website.”

In December 2020, Siemens Mobility handed over the minimum viable product (MVP) version of the system to the council. The MVP version is the Beta version of the final CAZ solution that enables the council to carry out testing.

Wilke Reints, managing director of intelligent traffic systems for Siemens Mobility, said: “Although air quality in our towns and cities improved dramatically during the first national lockdown, since restrictions began to ease in May we have seen a steady increase in the number of vehicles on the roads and a corresponding reduction in air quality levels. Most cities are now reporting air quality levels at least comparable to, if not worse than, pre-lockdown levels. As a result, local authorities such as Birmingham are forging ahead with CAZ plans to drive improvements in local air quality and deliver environmental and health benefits.”

Siemens launches DC charger

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has launched its first fast charger designed for use by the general public. The Sicharge D has been developed for use on the highway, at urban fast charging stations and in public car parks.

Siemens claims the Sicharge D offers a constant efficiency of above 95.5% and a peak efficiency of 96%, ensuring that almost all of the generated electricity reaches the car to be charged.

While the charging capacities of most current electric vehicles are still limited, they will be able to accept higher charging power in the future, which will require higher voltage ranges.

The Sicharge D has a scalable charging power up to 300kW, either from the start or through plug-and-play upgrades. The charger already supports voltages between 150 and 1,000 volts (V) and currents of up to 1,000 amperes (A) across all DC outlets. This means the unit can service 800V vehicles as well as the lower voltage charging rates demanded by today’s mainstream vehicles.

The standard configuration has two DC outlets and one AC outlet housed in a compact design.