Wichita State University has contracted with NuPark to employ its NuPark Parking Management System on the WSU main campus. The comprehensive system features license plate recognition (LPR) technology and virtual permits that will eliminate the need for color-coded hangtags and stickers for parking enforcement.

Lois Tatro, associate vice president of financial operations and business technology, says the system will streamline the process of purchasing permits and will allow the university to expand its permit offerings for short-term and visitor parking.

Virtual permits for students, faculty, staff and visitors will be purchased online through the Shocker Parking website and may be activated instantly. Because no hangtags are involved, users may add multiple vehicles on a single permit, provided that only one of the vehicles is on campus at the same time. 

“Today’s students and visitors to WSU’s campus expect a more convenient and innovative way to find and pay for parking,” Tatro said. “NuPark’s license plate recognition technology, combined with their mobile and web applications, provide a solution that is both easy to use and readily accessible.”

The LPR system works by electronically monitoring vehicle license plate tag information. License plate scanners will be attached to vehicles that will cruise the lots during the enforcement period, covering the campus multiple times each day. The system also collects usage statistics as the scanning takes place, helping the university better assess parking patterns and providing vital information for future planning. No license plate information is permanently retained by the scanning system.

NuPark was selected after a yearlong assessment of parking systems. NuPark was developed at Texas Tech University and is currently in use at several universities, including Baylor University and the University of Kansas.

The NuPark system is being paid for with revenue from permits and parking tickets. The system costs about $25,000 per year for the software, with a one-time equipment and installation cost of around $100,000. The system will be implemented in stages beginning this summer.

In addition to the new parking management system, the university plans to hold campus focus group meetings later this spring to gather input on current and future parking needs. Questions and parking issues may also be submitted online at www.wichita.edu/parkingfeedback. Go to wichita.edu/parking for more information about parking at Wichita State.