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The City of Hoboken's Department of Transportation and Parking launched CLEAR, a Vision Zero initiative that uses automated camera enforcement to improve safety, reduce illegal parking, and ease traffic congestion along Washington Street for drivers and emergency vehicles in the fall of 2025.
CLEAR, which stands for:
Camera-based
License plate
Enforcement for
Access &
Response times
is designed to address issues of unsafe and illegal double parking in bike lanes, parking violations in bus stops, and improper and prolonged use of loading zones. The initiative seeks to protect all road users, including bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians, by clearing blocked travel lanes, improving intersection visibility, and reducing delays caused by vehicles obstructing critical areas of the roadway.
The system relies on cameras, authorized by the Hoboken City Council in 2024, which will capture images of vehicles parked illegally along Washington Street between Observer Highway and Eighth Street. These images are then reviewed by staff from the Hoboken Parking Utility, who determine whether a summons is warranted. If a violation is confirmed, a citation will be issued by mail to the registered vehicle owner.
The City of Hoboken's Department of Transportation and Parking launched CLEAR, a Vision Zero initiative that uses automated camera enforcement to improve safety, reduce illegal parking, and ease traffic congestion along Washington Street for drivers and emergency vehicles in the fall of 2025.
CLEAR, which stands for:
Camera-based
License plate
Enforcement for
Access &
Response times
is designed to address issues of unsafe and illegal double parking in bike lanes, parking violations in bus stops, and improper and prolonged use of loading zones. The initiative seeks to protect all road users, including bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians, by clearing blocked travel lanes, improving intersection visibility, and reducing delays caused by vehicles obstructing critical areas of the roadway.
The system relies on cameras, authorized by the Hoboken City Council in 2024, which will capture images of vehicles parked illegally along Washington Street between Observer Highway and Eighth Street. These images are then reviewed by staff from the Hoboken Parking Utility, who determine whether a summons is warranted. If a violation is confirmed, a citation will be issued by mail to the registered vehicle owner.
CLEAR is a direct response to extensive community feedback and empirical data showing significant safety and congestion concerns caused by parking violations. Recent curb usage data, collected over several months, revealed that illegal parking is both widespread and disruptive. According to the findings,
The City also conducted a public survey of Hoboken residents and stakeholders to assess their concerns about illegal parking. Results found:
The CLEAR (Camera-based License plate Enforcement for Access & Response times) initiative is part of Hoboken's Vision Zero program, designed to reduce illegal parking, improve safety, and ease traffic congestion along Washington Street. It uses automated camera enforcement to deter illegal parking violations like double parking/ parking in bike lanes, and blocking bus stops or loading zones.
The CLEAR program addresses long-standing concerns about unsafe and illegal parking behaviors on Washington Street. Issues such as double parking, obstructed bike lanes, and blocked bus stops have been identified as safety hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers, and have also caused significant traffic congestion. This initiative aims to improve the flow of traffic, enhance visibility at intersections, increase turnover at loading zones to support businesses, and make roads safer for all users.
Automated enforcement through CLEAR will officially begin on Oct. 1, 2025. However, the City of Hoboken started a public education campaign ahead of the launch to inform residents, commuters, and businesses about the new enforcement procedures.
The system will rely on cameras placed along Washington Street, from Observer Highway to Eighth Street. These cameras will capture images of illegally parked vehicles. If a violation is confirmed by a Hoboken Parking Utility staff member who will review the images, a citation will be issued by mail to the vehicle’s registered owner.
The cameras monitor for:
The primary goal is to improve road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers by reducing traffic congestion and clearing blocked lanes, ensuring emergency vehicles can pass to improve response times, and improving visibility at intersections, ultimately reducing near misses & traffic injuries.
Washington Street is a major thoroughfare in Hoboken with high traffic volumes. It has been identified as a location where illegal parking behaviors like double parking, obstructed bike lanes, and blocked bus stops, are causing safety hazards and traffic delays.
Recent data and community feedback highlight the need for stronger enforcement. For example:
Additionally, a public survey revealed:
If you are found in violation, a camera will capture an image of your vehicle. If the violation is confirmed, you will receive a citation in the mail. The ticket will provide details of the violation, including photos, times, and location. The ticket will then provide you with instructions on how to pay the ticket or contest the violation.
The program primarily targets illegal parking violations such as double parking and parking in prohibited areas like bike lanes and bus stops. According to recent data, only about 6% of violations involved residential parking permit holders, meaning the program should not significantly impact those with valid permits. However, it is important to adhere to parking regulations to avoid fines.
The program is designed to address parking violations that disrupt short-term parking zones, which are essential for businesses that rely on deliveries or quick stops. Improved enforcement will ensure better turnover of parking spaces and loading zones, making it easier for delivery trucks and other vehicles to access businesses. According a 2022 study by the NYC DOT, access to designated loading zones cut double parking by delivery trucks by 73%. Additionally, a 2012 study by the NYCDOT found that safety upgrades and reduced double parking along 9th Avenue increased retail sales by 49%.
The CLEAR program will significantly improve the commuting travel times and experience by reducing double parking and illegal parking at bus stops. This will allow NJ Transit bus drivers to pull directly into designated stops more consistently, enabling safer and more efficient boarding and deboarding. By minimizing the need for buses to swerve into oncoming traffic or become delayed behind improperly parked vehicles, the program is expected to increase service reliability in travel times, improve traffic flow for all road users.
The program will help ensure that bike lanes are kept clear of double-parked vehicles, allowing cyclists to ride safely without having to veer into traffic or ride on sidewalks. This aligns with the City’s Vision Zero goal of reducing traffic-related fatalities and injuries.
E-bikes are not currently regulated by the State MVC and do not have identification such as license plates. As there is no official database of registrations, they can not be enforced via camera.
