Budapest introduces weight-based parking fees and AI enforcement

Budapest is preparing to implement a weight-based parking system. Under a regulation adopted by the Capital Assembly, vehicles weighing 2 tons or more will face double parking fees starting in 2027. This policy applies regardless of fuel type, meaning heavy electric vehicles with large batteries will also be affected. The measure aims to address concerns regarding increased infrastructure wear, greater space consumption, and road safety risks associated with heavier vehicles.

In a separate technological development, the Urban Institute Hungary is testing CheckEye, an AI-driven mobile parking enforcement system. Developed in partnership with the Budapest University of Technology and Economics, the system uses artificial intelligence to scan license plates from a moving vehicle. This technology can increase enforcement efficiency by 16 to 20 times compared to manual checks, capable of reading over 3,000 license plates per hour while traveling at speeds of approximately 50 km/h.