Transport for LondonTraffic enforcement
We are keen to improve conditions for road users
We also understand the importance of providing transparent information about performance and service standards, and are keen to make these available to customers.
Find our more about:
- Improvements through technology
- 'Smart' car
- Portable Enforcement Camera
- The Enforcement Task Force
- Sparks Project
- Publications
Improvements through technology
CCTV cameras record possible contraventions The technology used in traffic enforcement is continually developing, allowing the Traffic Enforcement department to provide a more efficient and effective service.
TfL's traffic enforcement camera system uses bus-mounted, static roadside and CCTV cameras, which record footage of potential contraventions to video tape. This requires the manual collection of tapes from the cameras, time-consuming review of tapes to identify contraventions - and the need for a lot of storage space.
Developments in technology are enabling us to develop an innovative digital system that will be more flexible, reliable and productive than the current analogue system.
So far, we have introduced the 'Smart' car and the Portable Enforcement Camera.
'Smart' Car
Traffic Enforcement's Smart car began enforcement on the red route in May 2006. The red route is a network of London's key roads - and free-flowing traffic on these roads is essential to keep London moving.
The Smart car patrols the red route, as a deterrent to illegal parking, helping to prevent the jams that can quickly clog up the system.
Smart car will improve the efficiency of enforcement
The car is equipped with the latest digital technology, including Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, enhanced Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and DVD recording.
Portable Enforcement Camera
PEC allows a quick response to the areas of greatest need
The Portable Enforcement Camera (PEC) system offers a new level of flexibility and responsiveness.
The system, introduced in August 2006, is based around new, portable CCTV cameras which can be deployed where they are most needed. They can be fixed to a site, such as a lamp post, in a matter of minutes. They have a wireless link to a control vehicle (which will park off the main road), from which two staff can monitor several cameras in the vicinity.
PEC brings the benefits of camera enforcement where a fixed camera may not be necessary, allowing us to target hot spots of particular problems on the red route.
The system is ideal for targeting localised traffic problems, such as banned turns, and can provide a rapid response to incidents.
The Enforcement Task Force
TfL chairs the Enforcement Task Force (ETF), which is made up of the key enforcement agencies in London, including TfL, the Association of London Government, the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police.
The ETF works to ensure that enforcement organisations work together to tackle the wide range of traffic enforcement issues that each organisation faces. Its scope is increasing every year, as more organisations recognise the importance of working together.
Sparks Project
Last year, nearly six million Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) were issued in London. The Association of London Government calculated that the economic cost to London from illegal parking was £270m, of which about £12m related to foreign-registered vehicles.
Last year, more than 300,000 PCNs were issued to vehicles registered abroad
In 2004/05, around 330,000 PCNs were issued to vehicles registered abroad for illegal parking, bus lane and other traffic contraventions. Due to problems tracing the owners, boroughs were only able to recover payment from around 4.5 per cent of the tickets issued.
In order to address this problem, London - via the Enforcement Task Force (ETF), made up of key enforcement agencies in London - has established the Sparks Project. This has identified that the response by London boroughs is split between those who do nothing to enforce PCNs to such vehicles (40 per cent) and those that target foreign-registered vehicles for clamping and removal (43 per cent).
As a consequence, the ETF is now seeking to work with partners in the UK and other EU member states to create a common national and international approach to this problem.
More information about the Sparks Project is available from the London Councils website.
Publications
- Performance bulletin - 1 October 2006 (PDF 136KB)
For further information about performance and service standards, please email enquiries@tflcroydon.co.uk.
The report below looks at the impact of enforcing traffic regulations on the Transport for London Road Network.
- Traffic Enforcement Impact Analysis (PDF 1.51MB)
- Traffic Enforcement Impact Analysis - summary (PDF 293KB)
The report below describes the activities and the impact of parking enforcement from November 2004 to March 2007.
- Parking Enforcement report 2004-2007 (PDF 1.9MB)
- Parking Enforcement report 2004-2007 summary (PDF 1.2MB)
The leaflet below describes your rights regarding the bailiff recovery process
