MPS: Deployment of SafetyStick® Devices in Massachusetts Show Decline in Illegal Parking

At the annual New England Parking & Transportation Council Municipal Forum, Ken Wollins of Municipal Parking Services (MPS) shared how communities are using state-of-the-art technology to address illegal parking and transit rider safety.

The forum is a convening of municipal parking professionals, transportation planners and industry leaders to discuss strategies aimed at improving curbside safety, congestion and transit reliability.

Wollins presented a case study about the effective use of the MPS SafetyStick® in Sommerville and Lynn. Deployed by the Massachusetts Bay Transpiration Authority (MBTA) to address illegal parking at bus stops and other safety-critical curb zones, early results show a downturn in chronic violations that hinder mass transit service and endanger pedestrian riders.

“The key point for municipalities is that they already have the authority to enforce violations at bus stops, hydrants, crosswalks and other restricted zones,” Wollins said. “SafetyStick® gives communities a reliable, solar-powered way to monitor those areas, strengthen existing enforcement efforts and support broader safety goals, including Vision Zero initiatives.”

Vision Zero initiatives help communities eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries and increase safe, equitable mobility for all.

In addition to sharing results from Somerville and Lynn, Wollins outlined three primary approaches municipalities can use to enforce parking violations by mail. The discussion included enforcement under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 20A, as well as the process some municipalities have used to adapt Chapter 90, Section 20 1/2 to support automated enforcement programs.

Recently awarded by the administration of Governor Maura Healey in Massachusetts for his efforts to improve street design and pedestrian safety, Jake Wilson, Mayor of Somerville, delivered remarks after Wollins.

SafetyStick® is a solar-powered, camera-based monitoring solution designed to deter and document illegal parking in safety-critical curb zones, including bus stops, hydrants, crosswalks, bike lanes and loading areas. The technology helps municipalities monitor violations continuously while supporting safer streets and more reliable transit operations.

About Municipal Parking Services (MPS)

Municipal Parking Services Inc. (MPS) is a pioneer in AI-driven enforcement and compliance technologies. Since 2013, MPS has leveraged its unique platform to deliver cloud-connected parking and safety solutions that reduce illegal parking, increase compliance, and improve safety outcomes. MPS solutions use embedded AI to automate license plate recognition, dynamic pricing, zone monitoring, and enforcement, creating safer, smarter communities. The company partners with leading safety organizations, including Vision Zero, IPMI, IACLEA, and IACP. Headquartered in Austin, Texas. Learn more at www.mpspark.com.