Doubling Productivity with New Parking Enforcement Ticketing System

Since 1995, a Portugese parking authority has created more than 40,000 limited duration parking spaces, located in 40 designated areas. Beginning in January 2001, inspectors within the designated areas have been equipped with portable ticketing terminals in order to collect and store vehicle information and to issue a fine whenever a vehicle overstays the allowed time in the space. Each small and robust touch screen terminal with barcode reader is assigned to a specific area. The inspectors pre-load data relating to residence, make, model, type and colour of vehicle, as well as the value of the fine to be issued.

When the specific data is loaded, the terminal initiates a Fine Notice through IrDA (infrared) connection to a portable receipt printer. The lightweight, battery-operated parking ticketing system, attached to the inspector's belt, allows the inspector to print up to 1270 Fine Notices per day. At the end of each day the inspector transmits a report of Fine Notices to the Central System for administrative follow-up.

After nine months use, the parking authority has announced an increase in Fine Notices of 100% over the previous year, without any additional personnel thus doubling productivity of their team!

The second phase of the project to be launched in 2002 included barcode reading of residents' Parking Permits, allowing the Inspector to check the validity of permits and issue a Fine Notice if the permit is invalid.