AuthorPPA Staff

January 2020: Board Meeting Round-Up

On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s Board met for its monthly meeting.

The meeting agenda along with the Board approved motions can be found here.

(PHILADELPHIA) – PPA Executive Director Scott Petri joined Mayor Jim Kenney today at a press conference to announce the installation of automated speed enforcement cameras at the first of eight locations along Roosevelt Boulevard.

The decision to place speed cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard is the result of a number of high speed related accidents over the years – many involving serious injury and the tragic loss of life.

Commenting on the new speed enforcement cameras, PPA Executive Director Scott Petri said, “The Boulevard already has nine intersections that are monitored by red light cameras. As a result, red light running has been dramatically decreased on the Boulevard at red light camera intersections by 58% since 2005.”

When the first red light cameras were activated at Grant Avenue and the Boulevard in 2005, 25,673 red light running violations were recorded.  At this same intersection in 2018, 4,697 red light camera violations occurred – a staggering 82% reduction in red light running at this intersection. 

“We believe red light cameras save lives — and we believe the installation of speed enforcement cameras along Roosevelt Boulevard will save more lives,” Petri said.

“Traffic deaths in Philadelphia are preventable and never acceptable,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. ” Adding automated speed cameras on the Boulevard is one of the most effective steps that we can take to eliminate traffic deaths. With the installation of these cameras, we continue to make progress on our Vision Zero efforts to eliminate traffic fatalities in Philadelphia by 2030.”

A longtime advocate for both red light and speed enforcement cameras, former Philadelphia state Representative John Taylor said, “Our goal with automated enforcement technologies on the Boulevard has always been to save lives. The installation of speed cameras is another step aimed at reducing hazards and saving lives on this dangerous stretch of highway.”

Once the speed cameras are fully operational, there will be an initial 60-day warning period before fines are issued. Following the warning period, any vehicle observed traveling in excess of 11 miles per hour over the speed limit will be subject to a fine up to

$150 — depending on the speed at which the vehicle clocked, and will be mailed to the registered address of the vehicle.

No points will be added to an individual’s driving record. The fine is aimed at deterring driving at excessive speeds that could lead to fatal injuries. 

With an estimated 140 communities in 14 other states already utilizing automated speed enforcement cameras, their effectiveness has been clearly demonstrated. For example, between 2014 and 2017, New York City saw reduced speeding at camera locations by 63% while reducing fatal crashes by 55%. 

Ultimately there will be a total of thirty-two (32) automated speed enforcement cameras operational at eight (8) different locations on Roosevelt Boulevard for this pilot program. The automated speed enforcement camera locations will be the following;

1. Roosevelt Boulevard and Banks Way
2. Roosevelt Boulevard and F Street
3. Roosevelt Boulevard and Deveraux Street
4. Roosevelt Boulevard and Harbison Avenue
5. Roosevelt Boulevard and Strahle Street
6. Roosevelt Boulevard and Grant Avenue
7. Roosevelt Boulevard and Red Lion Road (near Whitten Street)
8. Roosevelt Boulevard and Southampton Road ( near Horning Road)

As the Philadelphia Parking Authority implements a new customer service interface in the near future, customers can also expect to receive revamped mailings from the Parking Violations Branch and Bureau of Administrative Adjudication.

Below are examples of a current mailing, and a revamped mailing to be expected in the near future.

Running 26 miles in a single day sounds like a tall order, doesn’t it? Welp, that’s exactly what 30,000 runners are signing up for on Sunday, November 24th at 7:30 a.m. as The Philadelphia Marathon sprints through the historically scenic streets of Philly.

Let’s get back to that whole 26-mile thing real quick. Yeah, there’s no question that’s a lot of ground to cover in one day, but the nearly 30-mile trek winds through Philly’s historic sites in Old City before sprinting down the always-scenic Fairmount Park Water Works on the Schuylkill River. So in the long run—see what we did there?—runners are also getting the quintessential Tour de Philly. And don’t worry, runners: Hydration stands will be set up as thousands of spectators cheer you on from start to finish. To get a glimpse of the course map, click here.

Now a quick word to the wise: With thousands of runners, spectators and multiple road closures, parking will definitely be tight. Luckily if you plan on driving to the marathon, we have two locations with cheap parking rates close to the starting/finish lines.

19th & Callowhill Lot
Weekend Flat Rate: $12 per day

Gateway Parking Garage
Weekend Flat Rate: $7

Family Courthouse Garage
Weekend Flat Rate: $11 per day

Photo Credit: M. KENNEDY FOR VISIT PHILADELPHIA

It’s out with the old and in with the new — parking kiosks that is.

On Tuesday, October 15th, we began installing new, state of the art, Pay-by-Plate parking kiosks throughout the city to improve the overall parking experience for Philadelphia’s residents and visitors.

The new Pay-by-Plate parking kiosks are jam packed with features that make paying for on-street parking a seamless and hassle-free experience. To get better versed in the change to the parking experience in Philadelphia, check out everything you need to know below.

Psst — make sure you have your license plate memorized.

What is going to happen?

The Philadelphia Parking Authority will begin a transition, in which it will change from a Pay and Display Meter Parking platform to a Pay by Plate Meter Parking platform. In addition, the single space meters will also be replaced with a Pay by Plate platform.

When will the changes happen?

The PPA will begin installing the new Pay-by-Plate parking kiosks on Tuesday, October 15th, 2019.

Where will the changes happen?

The Philadelphia Parking Authority will be implementing the Pay by Plate meters city wide beginning in Center City.

Why is the Philadelphia Parking Authority installing new kiosks?

The current kiosk and single space meters have reached the end of their life expectancy.

Will the parking rates stay the same?

Yes, there are no current plans to change the parking meter rates.

What will be the new features of pay-by-plate kiosks?

• 9” color touch screen
• 4 languages available ( English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin)
• Optional receipt
• Solar Powered
• Tracks payment by license plate number

What are the benefits of new pay-by-plate kiosks?

• Citizens do not need to display their parking receipt on dashboard
• Citizens have the ability to use any kiosk, as long as they have the zone number they are parked in
• Kiosk has a full color touch screen
• Citizens have the ability to choose if they want to print their receipt, have the receipt texted to their mobile device, or not print a receipt

What is a parking kiosk?

A kiosk, also known as a multi-space meter, is a solar powered device used to manage multiple parking spaces.

How are the new pay-by-plate kiosks different from the old kiosks?

The new kiosks feature a pay-by-plate platform which eliminates the need for citizens to display a parking receipt on their dashboard. Instead, customers input their license plate number when making payment.  After making payment, our officers will check the license plate number with their handheld ticketing device to confirm your payment. The new pay-by-plate kiosks will also allow customers to pay for parking at any kiosk so long as the customer properly enters their license plate number and the zone number in which they parked. 

How many new pay-by-plate kiosks will be installed?

The PPA expects approximately 2,000 new pay-by-plate parking kiosks to be installed. 

How do I use the new pay-by-plate kiosks?

What forms of payment are accepted at a pay-by-plate kiosk?

The new pay-by-plate kiosks will accept credit cards and coins. Mobile payments can also be made through our mobile payment app, meterUP.

How does the Parking Enforcement Officer know I paid?

The Parking Enforcement Officer will scan your license plate number with their handheld ticketing device to verify your payment. 

NOTE: It is very important that you ensure your license plate number is correctly entered into the kiosk.

How do I get a receipt?

Obtaining a receipt will be optional. Users will have the option to either print a receipt, or have a receipt sent through text message. Receipts can also be obtained online at the link provided below.

https://weboffice.mdc.dmz.caleaccess.com/cwo2receipt/3119

What happens if I get a ticket when I paid for parking?

If you would like to dispute a parking ticket that you believe was issued in error, please follow the instructions located on our website at https://www.philapark.org/violations/.

If there is no kiosk in front of my parking space, do I still have to pay?

Yes, each block regulated by metered parking will have a kiosk centralized in the middle of the block. There will also be parking regulation signs indicating you must pay at the kiosk.

Additional Resources:

(PHILADELPHIA) — Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) Executive Director, Scott Petri, announced during a press conference today that installation of new solar-powered “Pay-By-Plate” parking kiosks will begin in Center City on October 15, 2019, and will eventually expand city-wide to replace all existing kiosks and stand alone coin-operated parking meters.

In making the announcement, Petri said, “The PPA has always embraced the use of innovative technology to improve efficiency and the overall parking experience and quality of life for Philadelphia’s residents and visitors.The key to our new kiosks is remembering your license plate number.  Your license plate number is the basis for our new on-street parking operation.”

According to Petri, “Kiosk customers will be required to enter their license plate number, parking zone number, select payment methods of coin, credit or debit card. PPA enforcement officers will verify customer payment by electronically scanning each license plate to verify payment.”

The PPA’s “Pay-By-Plate” kiosks will initially be installed at current kiosk locations in Center City and will expand beyond that area and eventually go citywide — replacing all other kiosks and coin operated meters throughout Philadelphia. 

Petri stressed that “Customers must correctly enter their license plate number and will no longer be required to print a receipt from the kiosk that they were previously required to place on their vehicle’s dashboard — but they can choose to print a receipt, or receive one via text message,” he said.

During the transition period when new “Pay-By-Plate” kiosks are being installed to replace the existing kiosks, customers are reminded that until all kiosks are installed city-wide, both types of kiosks and stand-alone coin meters will be in operation in different parts of the city.

Below is a short video demonstrating how the new solar-powered “Pay-By-Plate” kiosks work;