The Philadelphia Parking Authority in the US has awarded a seven year, $75m contract to Xerox for its parking management programme.

The parking management programme will improve customer service through a new website where users and drivers can apply online for resident parking permits, schedule hearings, submit inquiries and view parking citation data.

"The enforcement officers will also be provided with new handheld electronic ticket writing devices, with features to take photos and provide GPS coordinates."

The website will also have photos of some violations, including descriptions, dates, locations and amounts due, and it will alert the registered users about new tickets and penalties on outstanding tickets.

Vincent J Fenerty, Philadelphia Parking Authority executive director, said: "Xerox has proven itself as an integral part of the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s effort to provide world-class parking service for people who live, work or visit Philadelphia."

Xerox Americas – Local Government group president Mark Talbot said the company has provided the parking authority with the parking violation processing and collection system and services.

"Xerox has been able to meet, and in many cases exceed objectives set by the Philadelphia Parking Authority while reducing costs," Talbot added.

The enforcement officers will also be provided with new handheld electronic ticket writing devices, with features to take photos and provide GPS coordinates.

The features on the electronic ticket device will reduce the potential disputes while charging the drivers and increase collections for the authority.

The technology can also be used to alert the towing or city parking personnel to the location of ticketed vehicles, with tow-away zone violations.