Chicago’s Smart Streets Wins NPA’s Innovative Program of the Year — And Reimagines What Parking Enforcement Can Be

We’re thrilled to share that the City of Chicago’s Smart Streets initiative has been named the 2025 National Parking Assocation (NPA) Innovative Program of the Year—a well-deserved recognition for a program that’s transforming how cities approach curbside enforcement.

At its core, Smart Streets is about restoring purpose to the curb. By using vehicle-mounted cameras, data-informed deployment, and a behavior-first enforcement model, the program keeps bus and bike lanes clear—improving safety and mobility for everyone on the road. It’s not just innovative technology; it’s an innovative philosophy.

Launched in late 2024, Smart Streets began with a thoughtful, phased approach:

• A 30-day installation warning period gave drivers time to adjust.
• Next, each license plate received a zero-fine warning before fines were issued.
• Only after that did enforcement begin—focused not on punishment, but deterrence.

The results speak volumes. Between January and June 2025, the program generated:

• 7976 citations, a 181% year-over-year increase
• 18796 warning notices, a 829% improvement in productivity

• Identified high-risk corridors like Chicago Ave and Dearborn.
• Created a feedback loop for prioritizing and routing enforcement.

The program is also smart about its footprint. By targeting enforcement using 311 complaints, crash data, and historical trends, Smart Streets improves efficiency and avoids blanket crackdowns. And by including debt relief protections for low-income drivers, it ensures that equity isn’t lost in the name of enforcement.

Even from a financial standpoint, Smart Streets is compelling. The program is on track to pay for itself in its first year—while reducing administrative costs, legal disputes, and operational delays for public transit.

But what makes Smart Streets award-worthy isn’t just efficiency or cost recovery—it’s that it represents a shift in mindset:

• Enforcement isn’t just about citations—it’s about creating safer, more reliable streets.
• Data isn’t just for reporting—it’s for driving smarter, fairer operations.
• Curb space isn’t just for parking—it’s a foundation for mobility, equity, and sustainability.

Trellint is proud to support Chicago’s Departments of Finance and Transportation with our StreetSight application in partnership with Genetec LPR, building a program that sets a national example. Smart Streets shows what’s possible when cities combine smart policy, strategic enforcement, and a clear public mission.