Hoboken’s CLEAR Pilot Reduces Street Violations and Boosts Business Activity

Hoboken officials have released data from a three-month pilot program showing reductions in illegal parking and improved street safety along Washington Street. The program, called CLEAR (Camera-based License Plate Enforcement for Access and Response times), operated from Observer Highway to Eighth Street during the final quarter of 2025.

The City reported a 59 percent decrease in blocked bike lanes, reducing obstructions by nearly 22 hours per day. Blocked bus stops dropped by 44 percent, and loading zone violations declined by 66 percent. The pilot used mounted cameras to capture potential violations, which were reviewed by enforcement officers before citations were issued.

“The data and results of the CLEAR program are clear as day—the three-month period saw a drastic increase in street safety in Hoboken,” said Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. “Crossing the street, riding a bike on Washington Street, getting off the bus, and driving along our main commercial corridor were all made substantially safer through camera-assisted enforcement.”

Commercial data during the pilot included a 67 percent increase in freight use of loading zones and a 32 percent increase in overall utilization. Paid parking transactions and parking space turnover both rose by 2 percent compared to 2024.

According to the Hoboken Business Alliance, customer visits increased between September and December, with retail businesses reporting visit duration growth of 4 to 60 percent. Food establishments reported 19 to 95 percent increases in short-term visits.

The City noted a 20-minute average daily reduction in blocked travel lanes and found that 93 percent of cited drivers did not reoffend. The CLEAR pilot was part of Hoboken’s Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic-related injuries and deaths by 2030.