June 27, 2018
The City of Edmonton is postponing the start of automated parking enforcement to allow for consultation with people affected by changes to courtesy parking, identify and create more accessible stalls, and explore technology options for enabling placard holders to continue using EPark zones free of charge.
“We’ve heard the concerns that placard holders shared with us, and we’re taking their important feedback into account before proceeding with automated enforcement,” said Gord Cebryk, Deputy City Manager, City Operations. “We look forward to engaging the City’s Accessibility Advisory Committee and citizens who rely on free courtesy parking as we develop an inclusive approach to our parking services.”
Once implemented, automated parking enforcement technology will bring Edmonton in line with other leading municipalities in relation to more effectively managing parking and enabling enforcement officers to focus on other issues such as school drop-off and pick-up zones. The technology uses a camera mounted on a vehicle to read licence plates for proof of payment.
“We know that Edmontonians depend on EPark zones to access services and amenities in our city,” said Cebryk. “While our intent was always to ensure placard holders could continue to park in marked accessible parking stalls on the street without charge, we’ve received clear direction from Council around needing to ensure we’re creating more of these stalls and working directly with the community to ensure options are in place before we change the system.”
A new timeframe for the implementation of automated enforcement will be determined through consultations and based on the creation of additional accessible parking stalls. In the meantime, free courtesy parking of up to two hours in EPark zones will continue for placard holders.
City Administration will bring a report to the Community and Public Services Committee to provide an update on the creation of new accessible stalls and technology options in September.
