Last Updated April 15, 2025
This notice applies to our practices for collecting and processing personal information related to the University of Michigan virtual parking permit system, AIMS Parking. The general privacy statement describes activities conducted by the University of Michigan that involve the collection and processing of personal information.
At a Glance
If you don’t have time for the detailed privacy notice below, here is what you need to know:
- Our goal is to limit the information we collect to what we need to support parking operations via AIMS Parking, which utilizes license plate recognition technology.
- We are committed to using your personal information only for the purposes for which it was collected.
- We do not sell your personal information and when we share it outside U-M, it is only to enable operations and services on the university’s behalf, meet legal obligations, or protect the safety, property or rights of the university, its community, and guests.
- If you do not wish to provide personal information for the purchasing and managing of a virtual permit, free parking locations are available.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your privacy, you can contact us at [email protected].
What Information We Collect
AIMS Parking collects the following personal information in these ways:
- When you directly provide it to us, like when you register to use the system by entering:
- Contact information: Uniqname, phone number, email address
- Vehicle information: make, model, color, license plate number
- Payment information: name, card number, expiration date, security code, billing address
- When technology captures your information automatically, such as when you park in U-M Ann Arbor parking areas, when cameras on parking enforcement vehicles patrolling parking areas capture your license plate, or when you log into the AIMS Parking system. Information collected automatically or by U-M staff includes:
- License plate number, date and time of entering and exiting gated parking areas
- License plate number, date and time of verification at open surface lots
- AIMS system logging information, such as date and time of access, changes made.
- When U-M staff, such as DPSS officers on patrol, manually record information in the event a license plate cannot be read automatically. Information collected manually includes:
- License plate number, make, model, color of vehicle, date and time
How We Use Personal Information
The University of Michigan uses this information for:
- Parking operations, such as registration for parking programs, verifying eligibility, and enforcing parking regulations.
- Troubleshooting, such as when a driver is stuck at a gate or contesting parking violations.
- Internal reporting, such as estimating fill time for parking areas.
- Assessing trends to enable long-term planning for parking and transportation at U-M.
Access to personal information is governed by SPG 601.11 – Privacy and the Need to Monitor and Access Records. Requests for access to parking permit data are managed through the Parking Services department and the university’s Data Governance program, and are reviewed by the U-M Privacy Office.
With Whom We Share Personal Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We do, however, share your personal information in limited circumstances, such as with university partners or external service providers that support business activities.
We share parking permit information (name and permit number) with parking referees from the City of Ann Arbor who process appeals for parking citations. Once per week, an export of all permit numbers and names associated with them is sent to the City of Ann Arbor.
We also share your information with EDC Corporation, which develops and supports the AIMS software solution.
We require these service providers to keep your personal information secure, and do not allow them to use or share your personal information for any purposes other than those outlined in their agreements with the university.
We may also share your personal information when required by law, or when we believe sharing will help to protect the safety, property, or rights of the university, members of the university community, and university guests. Requests for sharing of parking permit data are managed through the Parking Services department and university’s Data Governance program, and are reviewed by the U-M Privacy Office.
What Choices You Can Make About Your Information
The personal information collected by AIMS Parking is required for using U-M Ann Arbor parking locations that require permits. If you do not wish to purchase a virtual permit, you are encouraged to use free parking location options.
How We Keep Personal Information Secure
The University of Michigan recognizes the importance of maintaining the security of the information it collects. We strive to protect information from unauthorized access and damage, and ensure reasonable security measures are in place to keep your personal information secure.
Who to Contact with Questions or Concerns
If you have any concerns or questions about how your personal data is used, please contact us at [email protected].
