Charlottesville’s two downtown parking garages began operating with “Metropolis Technologies” — an artificial intelligence system — in December. Since its integration, concerns about data security and privacy have been expressed by City residents.
With the automated system in place, drivers must register their vehicle with Metropolis with an app or on the system’s website some time during their parking stay. Information collected includes the driver’s name, phone number, email address, credit card information and license plate number. After registration, the system automatically charges customers by using a “computer vision platform” that identifies vehicles entering and exiting the parking garages.
In a statement to The Cavalier Daily, Metropolis characterized the project as a collaborative endeavor between the company and City interests, referencing operational problems within the Market Street and Water Street garages downtown. Nick Rosen-Wachs, Metropolis vice president of communications, said that the broad goal of the deployment is to modernize the City’s largest parking garages and address the chronic issues associated with the garages, including “fumbling with tickets” or “waiting in lines.” The technology allows drivers who go to either garage to seamlessly drive in and drive out without the use of tickets, paper slips or queues…