University of Kentucky plans a move to license plate reading technology for parking permits

The University of Kentucky is currently using a free-parking policy for visitors to the UK Hospital and Kentucky Clinic. That’s been in place for close to a year for the Transcript Avenue parking structure and since March off Huguelet Drive. UK Parking, Transportation, and Auxiliary Services Director Lance Broeking doesn’t anticipate going back to a pay environment. He said UK parking officials and healthcare administrators had a meeting of the minds.

“Let’s go complimentary parking where it’s free to the patients and visitors, but Healthcare subsidizes it on the back end. So, at the end of the day, Healthcare pays the bills to Transportation Services to cover the cost of the parking management product,” said Broeking.

When implemented, at least initially, Broeking still envisions paper citations being written. He said that may all go virtual in time.

UK is also preparing for a transition in parking permitting and enforcement. It will rely heavily on license plate reading technology.

Broeking said the eventual change involves the use of mobile license plate readers checking plates in lots. While much LPR technology is available, Broeking said the switch is not planned for this fall.

“Our plan is we will transition from a physical hangtag for our employees and students to virtual permits going into the fall of 2025. We haven’t 100 percent settled on that’s kind of the target we’ve been shooting for,” said Broeking.

Broeking noted it’s not a “gotcha” approach regarding enforcement. The parking and transportation director added there could be opportunities to use L-P-R technology to assist Metro Police with investigations. Full implementation of new permitting and enforcement is planned for the fall of 2025.

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