License Plate Recognition (LPR)

Parking & Transportation Services (PATS) is integrating License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology into operations for AY25-26, making parking more convenient and efficient for Campus Residents and Commuter zones. Take advantage of virtual parking permits that are linked directly to your license plate. This new system simplifies the permit process, eliminates the need for physical permits, and supports a more sustainable campus. Reducing the need for physical permits and administrative overhead, LPR alings with UNM 2040 Goal 4: Sustainability.

At UNM, your license plate is your permit. Just park and go - no decals, no hassle.

What you need to know:

  1. Register your vehicle through My Parking Account (make, model, color, license plate, etc.)
  2. Park in your designated parking zones
    1. Ensure you park forward unless stated otherwise (such as reverse back-in parking along Campus Blvd.)
    2. Ensure your license plate is unobstructed and clean
    3. Exemption: Parking in a different zone if your virtual permit qualifies for the 3:45 P.M. Rule. See qualifications and information at 3:45 P.M. Rule.
  3. Do you have multiple cars or drive a different vehicle from your own?
    1. Ensure one vehicle is parked at any given time at UNM. One virtual parking permit per vehicle.
    2. If you have an additional vehicle(s) linked to your permit, through My Parking Account, only one vehicle may use the permit. Additional vehicle(s) are required to make alternative parking arrangements (i.e. short-term paid parking options at a pay station or through ParkMobile).
      • One virtual parking permit per vehicle.
    3. Add vehicle information through My Parking Account (make, model, color, license plate, etc.)

Which parking permits are switching to virtual?

  1. Campus Resident zones: "R", "GR", "T", "INS" (Rainforest), "S" (Lomas), and "Y" (Yale).
    1. S (Lomas Parking Structure) permit holders will need to visit our Business office to collect a proximity card to access the parking structure.
    2. Lobo Village residents will still receive a physical parking permit from the Lobo Village leasing office.
    3. Regular permit holders (staff, faculty, and non-campus resident students) with permit in "R", "GR", "T", "INS", "S", and "Y" zones will still receive a physical permit.
  2. Commuter zones: K-Lot and South Lot.
    1. All permit holders (staff, faculty, and students) in "K" and "South Lot" will be switching to a virtual permit.

LPR Transparency at UNM:

  1. What's detected:
    1. license plates
    2. vehicles
  2. What's not detected:
    1. facial recognition
    2. people
    3. gender
    4. race
  3. Prohibited Usages:
    1. Immigration enforcement, traffic enforcement, harrassment and/or intimidation, reproductive health investigations, usage based solely on a protected class (e.g. race, sex, religion), and personal use.
    2. Data is used for public safety purposes only. It is accessible by UNM Parking & Transportation Services and the UNM Police Department. Data is never sold to third parties and is retained for no more than 30 days.