TCNJ Parking Services seeks to improve the parking experience for students, employees, and visitors alike. As part of our long-term strategic plan, a phased implementation of License Plate Recognition (LPR) Technology began in the Fall of 2024 with the implementation of our new AIMS parking management system.
What is License Plate Recognition (LPR)?
License Plate Recognition (LPR) is a virtual permit system that allows you to use your license plate as your parking permit. Physical permits have been eliminated. No more worrying about properly displaying your parking permit or picking up new permits for replacement vehicles. With LPR, your license plate will be your virtual permit!
How does this work?
When a vehicle is parked on campus, the license plate is read by LPR readers mounted on designated vehicles. LPR works like a supermarket scanner, with your license plate functioning as the barcode. When read, the numbers on your plate are automatically referenced against the parking database to verify proper parking privileges for the parking location.
When will this happen?
The full phase of the LPR program will be implemented in the Fall 2025 semester.
FAQs
We have developed the following FAQs in anticipation of some common questions related to LPR technology implementation and electronic permitting. FAQs may be added or updated to reflect customer feedback.
Why are we doing this?
As part of our mission, we are committed to customer-focused solutions that support the needs of our campus community. LPR provides a variety of benefits to campus parking operations. Members of the campus community will be able to have instant access to review, update, and purchase their parking permit which eliminate the need to stand in line or visit the Office of Student Account. We are going “green” and transitioning to electronic permitting meaning your license plate will become your permit. Additionally, this robust parking management system provides state of the art technology allowing the most satisfying customer experience while improving efficiency, and assisting Parking Services during the busiest times of the year.
How can I register my vehicle or confirm that the vehicle information you have on file is accurate?
Log in to your TCNJ Parking account at https://tcnj.aimsparking.com/ to register your current vehicle or to update your current vehicle information and license plate. All vehicles must be registered to your parking account with accurate license plate information. Please make sure your license plate is entered correctly; one letter or number off will result in a parking ticket. Please also make sure to include the state from which the plate was issued. Unregistered vehicles will also be subject to a citation. If you have any issues adding, updating, or deleting vehicles, please email us at parking@tcnj.edu.
Will I receive a citation if my vehicle’s license plate is not in the system?
Yes, so please make sure that your license plate is correctly registered in the parking system to ensure that you will not receive any citations; one letter or number off will result in a parking ticket. Please also make sure to include the state the plate was issued from.
How many vehicles can I have registered to my account?
Students are allowed to register one auto to their parking account, and employees may register up to two autos to their parking account at a time. For employees: Please remember that only one auto may be parked on campus at a given time. LPR technology will recognize the first vehicle on campus as valid. Any additional vehicles on campus at the same time will be subject to a citation.
What if I get a new vehicle or a new license plate?
It is important that your license plate and vehicle information are current and correct at all times to avoid unnecessary citations. Please visit your TCNJ Parking account at https://tcnj.aimsparking.com/ to update your information anytime a change occurs. Remember to also delete old or unused vehicle listings from your account. If you have any issues adding, updating, or deleting vehicles, please email us at parking@tcnj.edu.
What if I am driving a loaner/rental car or shared car?
Any vehicle you drive to campus, whether it is your vehicle, one you borrow/share, or one you rent or have as a loaner, must be registered to your parking account at https://tcnj.aimsparking.com/ . Please make sure you update your parking account for the time period that you are driving the substitute vehicle, which will ensure that the vehicle is registered to your parking permit. Then, update it again when you resume driving your regular vehicle to campus to avoid any unnecessary citations.
Do I need to change the way I park my vehicle?
All motorists must now park with their license plate facing the lane of travel. Because LPR technology only works if a license plate can be read by the LPR scanners, it is imperative that your license plate always face the lane of travel. If your state does not issue a front plate, you cannot back into a parking space.
What information is being collected by the LPR camera, and what happens to this information?
Please review our LPR Regulations
What if visitors are coming to campus, or I am hosting an event?
The visitor parking experience is not changing for now. Visitors should continue to follow the current visitor parking policies, which can be found at https://parking.tcnj.edu/resources/visitors-guests/.