In order to identify and track vehicles in car parks, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is often put in place. This is a system that reads number plates through the use of high-speed image capture. ANPR is effective in implementing operational efficiencies, as well as acting as a tool of enforcement. Not only does it deter parking-related crimes, but it also allows you to monitor and manage what’s going on in your car park. ANPR is one of the best ways that you can avoid ticket fraud and other security breaches. Streamline your car park with ANPR at Countrywide.
How Does ANPR Technology Work?
ANPR detects car number plates by using a series of image manipulation techniques that enhance the image of the plates to extract the characters using point optical character recognition. You are then left with a set of metadata that recognises the vehicle’s number plate and the decoded text of such.
This software uses seven primary algorithms to determine the plate and vehicle; firstly, the plate is localised and oriented, then it’s resized and adjusted for contrast and brightness. Finally, the plate is segmented into individual characters and the optical character recognition begins to check the positions and characters against country-specific regulations.
The ANPR hardware must be positioned correctly to ensure that it can correctly identify each plate and vehicle. If a camera is placed too far away, it will likely result in poor resolution. Low contrast, poor lighting, and motion blur can occur as a result of shadows, reflection, or overexposure. Additionally, obstructions such as tow bars can also inhibit the camera’s view of the plate.
In order to avoid and correct such obstructions, the camera should be placed at a higher point as this will minimise the number of obscurities. However, too high a position will mean that the software will have a harder time adjusting to the skew of the plate. Ultimately, finding the optimal position for your hardware can be a lengthy and fiddly process.
Fortunately, Countrywide Parking offers equipment with an extremely high accuracy rate, meaning the worries that come alongside ANPR are significantly reduced.
What Are the Benefits of ANPR?
ANPR technology offers a huge range of benefits including automated payment processes, changing tickets and lost ticket fraud prevention, car theft prevention, vehicle location guidance, parking access automation, ticketless parking fee management, parking security and automation, and much more. Not only does this secure your premises, but it also provides consumers with a sense of security and an efficient service.
One of the greatest benefits to ANPR is the 24-hour monitoring that it provides, ensuring that your premises is protected without the presence of an official. As well as this, ANPR significantly reduces the required amount of admin for managing a car park. The running of a private car park invites difficulties such as the handling of complaints made by unauthorised users. With the presence of ANPR, there is indisputable evidence to support your case against any unjust complaints. Not only is the amount of admin significantly reduced, but so is how much time and money are spent on each case. In addition to assisting your own cases, this technology can also provide valuable information that can be used in external investigations.
Furthermore, ANPR is a good data analysis tool that allows you to delve into your user behaviour that enhances your decision-making processes. With these measures in place, you’re able to consider infrastructure requirements, Parking Charge Notices (PCN), vehicle trends, and stay duration. An analysis of these features allows your business to reach its full potential by enabling all manner of opportunities. Once you learn about your consumer habits, you can design services that meet the needs of your clients. Ultimately, ANPR can be an extremely valuable business asset.
The efficiency of ANPR attracts more attention from consumers as they’re able to seamlessly drive onto the premises and park without having to physically purchase a ticket. In addition to this, ANPR is ideal for introducing pre-book and pre-pay systems when visitors want to guarantee parking on a particular day. This is perfect for hospital grounds or event spaces where parking spaces are hard to come by.
Where Are ANPR Cameras?
ANPR cameras are placed at entrances or exits to car parks; however, as long as the view is unobstructed, there are no set rules.
What Does ANPR Check For?
ANPR identifies your number plate to record the time your vehicle enters and exits a car park.
Contact Countrywide Parking about ANPR Technology
Here at Countrywide Parking, we offer all manner of parking enforcement systems. In order to find the right one for you, please get in touch. A member of our team will be able to point you in the right direction for selecting your parking solution.
