The Columbus Metropolitan Library – Dublin Branch is a central hub for the community, attracting visitors for reading, research, events, and programs. The central location of Rock Cress parking garage in Downtown Dublin also makes it an ideal parking option for visitors to use for shopping, restaurants and nearby businesses. With a steady flow of visitors throughout the day, ensuring smooth parking availability is essential for accessibility and convenience. To help manage parking demand and improve visitor experience, the City of Dublin deployed an Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) solution powered by Plate Recognizer and ParkPow.
Optimizing Library Parking with Real-Time Data
Like many public spaces, the Rock Cress garage experiences fluctuating parking demand. Visitors often struggle to predict how busy the parking lot will be, leading to congestion and frustration. Without a real-time monitoring system, assessing space availability was challenging for visitors and City officials.
Public Parking at the Rock Cress Parking Garage, next to the Columbus Metropolitan Library – Dublin Branch. Source: Google Maps
To enhance parking efficiency, the City sought a solution that could:
- Monitor parking lot occupancy in real time to provide accurate data.
- Integrate parking insights into the GoDublin mobile app, allowing users to check availability before arriving.
- Improve visitor experience by reducing unnecessary driving and parking congestion.
- Leverage existing camera infrastructure without requiring expensive new hardware.
Real-Time Parking Insights with Plate Recognizer & ParkPow
To address these needs, the City of Dublin integrated Plate Recognizer’s ALPR technology with its existing Meraki camera system in the Rock Cress garage. This allowed for seamless vehicle tracking without additional hardware investments.
Outside the Dublin Library. Source: visitdublinohio.com
At the core of the system is Plate Recognizer Stream, which processes live video feeds from Meraki cameras via AWS Cloud. The software automatically detects and analyzes license plates, generating real-time occupancy data without manual intervention. This data is then fed into ParkPow, a comprehensive parking management platform that enables the City to:
- Track the number of vehicles in the library lot at any given moment.
- Identify parking trends to optimize space usage.
- Share real-time parking availability via the GoDublin mobile app, helping visitors make informed decisions.
Integrating Parking Data into the Dublin Mobile App
A major enhancement of this deployment is integrating ParkPow’s real-time parking data into the GoDublin mobile app. Downtown Dublin visitors can now check the app before leaving home to see how busy the parking garage is. This feature helps reduce unnecessary trips and traffic congestion while improving convenience for visitors.
Real-time occupancy information is now accessible to the public, enabling a smarter, data-driven approach to parking management. Visitors can plan ahead, leading to a smoother experience and improved traffic flow in the area.
A More Accessible and Efficient Library Parking System
The implementation of Plate Recognizer and ParkPow at the Rock Cress parking garage has significantly improved parking efficiency. Real-time parking data allows visitors to check availability before heading to the area, leading to better visitor planning.
With fewer cars circling for parking, congestion has been reduced, creating a more efficient and stress-free experience. Improved accessibility ensures that library patrons and visitors, including seniors and families, can plan their trips with confidence. The City has effectively utilized its existing Meraki cameras, implementing a cost-effective solution without the need for costly new installations.
Dublin Library Parking Garage located off North High Street. Source: Google Maps
