The New Brunswick Parking Authority (NBPA) in New Brunswick, NJ, is responsible for managing and operating both off-street and on-street parking facilities. Their security measures include a uniformed security force that ensures the safety and efficient flow of traffic in the area. To enhance security and key management, the NBPA has implemented a new key control system designed to address various operational challenges.
The NBPA's decision to integrate a key control system aims to streamline access to keys used in vehicles, administrative offices, parking meters, and other assets. This system is engineered to provide remote access and programming capabilities, permitting emergency use without requiring management's physical presence. By enforcing remote accessibility, this technology offers flexibility and improved control over diverse operational aspects.
Challenges with Manual Systems
Prior to implementing the new system, the NBPA faced difficulties with a manual key control process, which complicated identifying the last user of a vehicle.
Employees were responsible for documenting vehicle conditions before and after use, yet inaccuracies in logs often made tracing responsibility for damages challenging. The manual system also posed risks in terms of managing keys for parking meter collections, where the loss or misplacement could incur significant costs. An automated audit trail provided by the new system eradicates these issues, furnishing reliable usage and transaction records.
Introducing the KeyWatcher Control System
Designed for durability, the system features robust stainless steel construction and resilient key fobs
The KeyWatcher® Key Control System, devised by Morse Watchmans, offers a tailored solution for the NBPA. It meticulously logs key access details, capturing user information, time, and date of usage.
Designed for durability, the system features robust stainless steel construction and resilient key fobs for heavy-duty operation. Additionally, the system's user-friendly KeyPro® Performance Software facilitates real-time monitoring, customizable activity reports, and alerts management through priority email notifications regarding high-security keys.
Efficient Management and Remote Key Access
Housing approximately 150 keys, the KeyWatcher cabinet grants users defined access, with programmed borrowing durations that trigger alerts if a key is overdue. Utilizing network connectivity, management can remotely release keys—a feature significantly enhancing convenience, particularly when employees need urgent access. The previous method involved a "ghost" code accessible by select managers who had to physically retrieve keys, whereas the current system negates this necessity.
Since deploying the Morse Watchmans KeyWatcher system, the NBPA has eradicated issues related to unreported vehicle damage due to its detailed report generation capabilities, identifying users and access times. Furthermore, the enhanced key control restricts unauthorized access to sensitive parking meter keys, constituting a decisive measure in mitigating potential financial discrepancies. Combined with surveillance footage from parking garages, management can ascertain precise access details for any revenue-related equipment.
The New Brunswick Parking Authority (NBPA) is the organization for parking information in New Brunswick, NJ. The duties of the Authority are to construct, improve, maintain and operate offstreet parking facilities, to promote traffic improvements and the free flow of traffic.
The Authority is also responsible for the management and operation of on-street parking by means of parking meters and residential permit parking. The NBPA maintains a uniformed security force to provide an adequate level of security in its facilities and to patrol the downtown area.
Uniformed security force
Technology Objective - Apply a key control system that will tighten access to keys and allow management to more easily track and control the keys which are used for NBPA vehicles, administrative offices, revenue equipment (parking meters) and other Authority assets.
The system additionally needs to be capable of remote access and programming so that emergency access to specific keys or other secured items can be granted instantly and without management physically having to be present.
Key management system
The Challenge - The NBPA has a fleet of 25 vehicles and the problem with a manual key control system (i.e. signing a key in or out) is that it would be difficult to determine, with certainty, which employee last drove a particular vehicle. Employees are requested to examine the vehicle prior to taking it out, making note of any scrapes, dents, etc., and then do the same when returning the car.
When this is not done, it is very difficult to identify and prove who may have last driven the car or who was responsible for any damages and this can usually only be done by going back and checking logs which may or may not be accurate. Implementing a key management system with an audit trail would eliminate this problem.
The NBPA is also responsible for the collection of coins from the various parking meters and keys to these meters must be carefully controlled and a verifiable audit kept, ensuring the integrity of the operation. In addition, lost or damaged keys can cost thousands of dollars to replace and knowing who last accessed a key can assist management in determining a remedial course of action.
Priority email alerts
Morse Watchmans Solution - KeyWatcher® Key Control System — The KeyWatcher is a customdesigned solution that automatically records the access history of each key, including user, date and time of checkout/ return. By releasing assigned keys only to users with the proper authorization code, the KeyWatcher system helps to ensure that all assets of the NBPA are better secured and protected. The unit’s rugged stainless steel construction and near indestructible key fobs are designed for heavy use and the illuminated key slots make accessing and returning keys easier.
KeyPro® Performance Software –The user-friendly PC application software delivers real-time polling transactions, status, alarm and reporting capabilities for the KeyWatcher system. Activity reports can be customized to trace key movements by time, date and user code or biometric access data. And because the software allows the KeyWatcher Key Control System to be conveniently accessed and programmed remotely via an IP connection, control of the keys can be more efficiently and safely managed. Additionally, priority email alerts can be sent to management to keep them informed of the whereabouts of high security keys such as those needed for parking meters.
Accurate and detailed information
In Action - The KeyWatcher cabinet holds every key used in the organization – approximately 150 – and each user has defined access to specific keys. As well, the keys are programmed for the length of time they are allowed to be out and if the key is not returned within the scheduled time period, management is notified via a priority email alert. The KeyPro Performance Software generates reports which provide accurate and detailed information, such as which employees drove which cars and when, storage areas accessed, etc.
The network connectivity of the system also allows management to remotely release any key, adding to the convenience and inherent safety provided by the KeyWatcher solution. For example, if on the weekend an employee calls in sick, management can go online remotely and release a key to the individual who is covering for the sick employee. Prior to the system upgrade to network connectivity, the NBPA used a “ghost” code for these incidents. The ghost code allowed a few senior managers to access most or all keys but it still meant that one of them had to physically go to the building to release the required key.
Problems of unreported damage
The Results - The problem of unreported damage to fleet vehicles has been totally eliminated since the NBPA started using the Morse Watchmans KeyWatcher system. This is because the system provides management with fully detailed and accurate reports of who accessed keys for which cars and when. Management is also able to better limit access to keys which are used for collecting coins from parking meters.
If an employee is not authorized to take one of these keys, they cannot physically access it. Also, when reported information is combined with images from video surveillance cameras that are installed in the parking garages, management can absolutely determine who accessed any of the revenue equipment and when.
