Every day, car park owners worldwide face the costly problems of unauthorised parking, ticket fraud, and security breaches. Unfortunately, they continue to waste an estimated sum of billions of dollars annually on ineffective measures like inadequate security personnel, unreliable surveillance systems, and inefficient manual monitoring, causing financial losses and reputational damage while overlooking a smarter solution.
It’s time for a paradigm shift, as these staggering figures underline the urgent need for a smarter, more cost-effective solution, ANPR.
In an era of advancing technology and heightened security concerns, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) has emerged as a powerful tool revolutionising the car park management industry. Let’s find out is ANPR the Answer for Traffic Management in Car Parks.
What is ANPR?
The Automatic Number Plate Recognition System (ANPR), also known as the License Recognition System (LPR), is an internationally recognised image processing technology used in vehicle identification. ANPR systems usually consist of a processor, camera, and application capable of sophisticated optical character recognition (OCR) and converting the number plate’s image into alphanumeric characters.
In simple words, ANPR technology is like a hi-tech system using cameras and clever software to snap pictures of vehicle number plates automatically. Then, it can read and understand those numbers and letters. The cool part is it turns that information into data that computers can easily understand. This data comes in handy for identifying and handling vehicles in many ways, like managing car parking smoothly and that is how ANPR technology improving security in car parks.
How does ANPR Work?
Following is the simplest form to understand the process of ANPR:Â Â
- First of all, the surveillance cameras that are strategically placed at the entry and exit of the car park capture images of moving vehicles and their licence plates.
- Once the images are captured, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology comes into play. OCR technology is employed to analyse the images and extract the alphanumeric characters (letters and numbers) from the licence plates.
- Following this, clever algorithms analyse the characters to determine the registration number. Then, the system checks the registration number against a database.
- Based on the information about the identified vehicles, ANPR makes it possible to perform activities like access control, parking management, or enforcement measures.
In short, ANPR analyses licence plates, interprets the characters and uses them for various operations and it helps for efficient car park traffic management.
Types of ANPR Systems
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems come in different types, each designed for specific purposes:
Fixed ANPR Systems:Â
These are permanently installed at specific locations, like exit or entrance gates. They continuously monitor vehicle plates at those spots.
Mobile ANPR Systems:Â
These systems are portable and can be mounted on vehicles, such as police cars. They’re used for on-the-go plate scanning.
Handheld ANPR Devices:
Law enforcement officers or parking attendants can carry these small, portable devices for spot-checking licence plates.
Software-Based ANPR:Â
This type of ANPR doesn’t rely on dedicated hardware. Instead, it’s software that can be integrated into existing surveillance cameras and computer systems to perform plate recognition.
Cloud-Based ANPR:Â
ANPR systems can also operate in the cloud, sending image data to remote servers for processing. It allows for centralised management and analysis.
Each type has its advantages and is chosen based on the application’s specific needs, whether for law enforcement, parking management, or other purposes.
Applications of ANPR
It has various applications across different industries and sectors:
- Traffic Enforcement
- Toll Collection
- Parking Management
- Security
- Stolen Vehicle Recovery
- Border Control
- Crime Investigations
- Parking Permits
- Traffic Analysis
- Environmental Monitoring
- Retail and Marketing
- Airport and Port Operations
Benefits of using ANPR
There are a lot of benefits that the ANPR system offers. Some of them are mentioned below:
Prevents Unauthorised Parking:Â
ANPR prevents unauthorised parking by monitoring entries and exits. Authorised plates get access; unauthorised ones trigger alarms or are denied entry, like a digital security guard ensuring only permitted vehicles park.
Security:Â
ANPR quickly spots suspicious or unlicensed cars, helping keep things safe. It can swiftly find a vehicle linked to crimes in places like a busy mall car park. This alerts security to act fast, making the area safer for shoppers and their vehicles.
Efficiency:Â
ANPR simplifies parking by automating entry and exit. In a busy mall, it scans plates, eliminating manual tickets and access issues. It reduces congestion, benefiting customers with faster parking and car park owners with improved efficiency.
Cost-effectiveness:Â
ANPR considerably reduces expenses in several ways for vehicle park owners. First, it reduces the need for manual workers like ticket attendants, cutting staffing costs. Second, ANPR boosts revenue by preventing ticket fraud and unpaid fines. Also, it improves how the business works, using resources better and reducing costs tied to manual tasks.
Calculation of parking time:Â
ANPR systems track parking time by photographing a car’s licence plate upon entry and exit. It notes entry and exit times, calculating the parked duration to determine the parking fee.
Data-Driven Decision-Making:Â
ANPR systems offer lots of data for analysis and smart decision-making. Transportation authorities can use this data to understand traffic, how people travel, and where vehicles go. It helps them plan better, improve roads, and make wise decisions about rules and policies.
Flexibility and Scalability:Â
ANPR systems adapt to various parking scenarios and can be easily expanded or modified to meet specific needs and future growth. ANPR systems adapt to various parking scenarios, easily expanding or modifying to meet specific needs and future growth.
Always-ON 365 days a year:Â
ANPR offers continuous licence plate monitoring, ensuring 24/7 protection for parking areas and security zones. It’s a reliable way to catch unauthorised vehicles and maintain a record of entries and exits, day or night.
Challenges and Limitations of ANPR Technology
Here are some challenges and limitations of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology:
Challenges:
ANPR technology faces a few challenges that impact its effectiveness. One significant challenge is accuracy. While ANPR is proficient at recognising standard licence plates in optimal conditions, it can need help with distorted or dirty plates, leading to errors in data capture.
Privacy concerns also represent a challenge, as the collection and storage of licence plate data raise privacy issues if not managed carefully. Additionally, integrating ANPR with existing systems or databases can be complex and time-consuming, posing another challenge to its widespread adoption.
Limitations:
ANPR technology has inherent limitations that can affect its performance. Weather conditions, such as heavy rain or snow, can diminish ANPR accuracy, as the cameras may have difficulty reading plates in adverse weather. Poor lighting conditions can also hinder ANPR’s ability to capture accurate data. Moreover, the accuracy of ANPR decreases with greater distances between the camera and the licence plate, making long-range readings less reliable.
Different countries and regions use various licence plate formats, making universal recognition challenging, as ANPR systems need to be configured for each specific format. Finally, obstructions in front of the licence plate, such as trailers, bike racks, or other vehicles, can obstruct ANPR cameras’ view, impeding their recognition capabilities.
These challenges and limitations underscore the need for careful planning, maintenance, and consideration of environmental factors when implementing ANPR technology to maximise its effectiveness in various applications.
ANPR Technology- The Future of Traffic Management
In the coming years, ANPR technology will revolutionise traffic management:
- Enhanced Surveillance and Enforcement: ANPR systems, integrated with cameras and sensors, will provide continuous monitoring of traffic conditions. They will enable law enforcement agencies to identify and respond to traffic violations quickly, enhancing road safety.
- Congestion Reduction: ANPR’s automation of tolls, parking, and adaptive signals will unclog roads, leading to shorter commutes and lower fuel consumption.
- Integration with Autonomous Vehicles: ANPR will seamlessly integrate with autonomous vehicles, ensuring harmonious traffic flow and safe interactions.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: The wealth of data from ANPR systems will shape traffic patterns, optimise infrastructure, and inform policies for efficient transportation networks.
- Sustainability: ANPR’s role in traffic management will contribute to sustainability by curbing congestion, reducing emissions, and supporting eco-friendly transportation options.
Conclusion
ANPR technology is revolutionising traffic management with its numerous benefits and applications. As we look ahead, ANPR promises enhanced surveillance, reduced congestion, and integration with autonomous vehicles, all contributing to a more efficient and sustainable transportation ecosystem.
For reliable ANPR services, trust Euro Parking Services, a 15-year industry veteran serving over 500 clients. Contact us today to harness the power of ANPR for your parking facility’s success. Don’t miss out on enhancing security, efficiency, and profitability.