Never again a parking ticket: new service warns for a scan car

An Amsterdam start-up ensures that scan cars of municipal parking services are automatically recognized. Users of the service are notified as soon as a control vehicle passes a car parked by them for 1.49 euros each time. 

Erik Kouwenhoven 10-09-20, 05:00 Last update: 08:03 

The service uses dash cams or security cameras that are linked to a neural network via the internet.This system recognizes the cars of the parking enforcement, after which ‘forgetful’ users receive a text message as soon as such a scan car passes his or her car. From that moment on, you have five minutes to activate the payment via a parking app , thus avoiding a fine.

The service called Parking Alarm is still in the testing phase, but according to the founders, 95 percent of passing scan cars are recognized. No money will be charged for false alarms. Parking Alarm nowoffers the service in ten cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Leiden, Utrecht and Groningen.

Municipalities are not expected to be happy with the development, but at the same time the concept seems difficult to ban. The Flitsmeister app , which warns where speed traps are located, is also not illegal in the Netherlands. However , the parking alarm only works during the day, as the system is unable to recognize the scan cars in the dark.