Jesse Jones, City Desk ABQ — Albuquerque is rolling out artificial intelligence-powered technology to curb illegal parking in high-risk safety zones across the city.
The city has launched an automated parking enforcement program that uses 60 solar-powered camera units, known as SafetySticks, provided by Municipal Parking Services Inc., to catch drivers who block bus stops, bike lanes, crosswalks and school zones. Officials say the goal is to improve safety while addressing a steady stream of complaints about illegal parking.
Bad parking consistently ranks among Albuquerque’s top 311 complaints, but the city employs just seven parking enforcement officers to cover the entire city, according to General Services Department Director Nathan Martinez.
“We’re limited in the amount of enforcement officers we actually have,” Martinez said at a press conference announcing the rollout. “So we started looking for solutions.”
The SafetySticks use radar-equipped cameras to detect vehicles stopped in restricted areas, said Parking Division Manager Maria Griego. Once a vehicle is detected, the system allows a 90-second grace period. If the vehicle does not move, the camera captures an image of the license plate and sends it to a parking enforcement officer for review.
“Our parking officers then will review the citation, make sure that it’s a valid citation. Then they’ll sign off on it digitally, and then it’ll go out in mail to the registered owner,” Griego said.
Fines for illegally parking are $30. If the citation is not paid within 45 days, the fine doubles, then triples, and can eventually result in a court appearance, following the same process as other parking violations.
Unlike the city’s speed cameras, which issue civil citations, tickets generated by the SafetySticks are criminal citations, consistent with all other parking enforcement.
City officials selected installation sites using public complaints submitted through 311, parking division data, Vision Zero safety corridors and input from bicycle advocates. Most of the first 60 units are concentrated downtown, with others installed near Monte Vista Elementary School.
Residents can suggest additional SafetyStick locations by submitting requests through the city’s 311 system. Officials also consider feedback from neighborhood meetings and City Councilors when deciding where to expand the program.
While the initial rollout focuses on safety-critical locations, the technology can be deployed citywide in any no-parking zone.
City Councilor Joaquin Baca, who pushed for the program, said parking issues take up more of his time than many residents expect, particularly along Central Avenue and near schools.
“This is one of those small things that will make things better in our city,” Baca stated. “Whether it is a safety concern… or at a bus stop or at a school.”
The system comes at no upfront cost to the city. The vendor provides the equipment and receives 50% of revenue from paid citations. The agreement allows the city to expand the program to as many as 500 units.
City officials said Albuquerque does not share resident data with the vendor, and only citation-related images reviewed by parking officers are used for enforcement.
To give drivers time to adjust, the city will issue warnings instead of fines for 30 days beginning Feb. 17. Full enforcement will begin after the grace period ends.
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