Transforming parking management in Montpelier’s La Comédie tunnel with the HRR system

Montpelier, a city in constant evolution, is in the midst of an interesting urban transformation project that prioritizes public transport and sustainable mobility.

Just a year ago, its Avenue Clémenceau underwent a major makeover with the installation of a tram line. This transformation came as part of the improvement project for Line 5 of the local tram system and the implementation of a new mobility plan driven by the Montpelier municipal government. The project also entailed the decision to terminate through-traffic in La Comédie square, thus giving total priority to pedestrians, which has daily footfall of 45,000 people.

As of June 27, 2022, this measure restricted vehicle access in the area, allowing only law enforcement, emergency services and parking facility user vehicles to enter. This change not only redefined urban mobility in Montpelier, it also made for a significant step toward improved road safety and the promotion of more sustainable transport options.

Quercus presented an innovative solution to tackle the access and security challenges that arose with this urban transformation project. The proposal was articulated around Quercus’s advanced license plate recognition system, known as HRR (High-Reliability Recognition), based on double recognition of both the front and rear plates of a vehicle.

The key to this solution is in the implementation of SmartLPR Access license plate recognition cameras, which offer the option of integrating two license plate recognition units per lane, enabling high-accuracy double-recognition. HRR is based on an artificial vision algorithm that combines both recognition images, not only improving the recognition rate, but that can also read the rear plates of the two-wheeled vehicles used by the police, guaranteeing efficient and safe traffic management in La Comédie tunnel.

TAM (Transports de l’Agglomération de Montpellier), the organization responsible for managing the La Comédie parking facility, has decided to implement this solution throughout the site, providing its customers with a more fluid and convenient parking experience. A significant advantage of this system is that it lets users enter and exit the parking facility with no need for conventional tickets. This not only expedites the process but also helps cut wait times and alleviate congestion at the parking facility access.

This project has proven to be an effective response to the traffic management challenges in Montpelier’s La Comédie tunnel. Implementation of this solution has not only contributed to lightening traffic congestion, but also optimized security and efficiency in the management of parking facilities in the area. This installation is proof of how technology can play a vital role in cities’ adaptation to the changing needs of urban mobility.

Photo from Midi Libre, published 06/27/2022