ANPR stands for Automatic Number Plate Recognition, which is a technology that uses optical character recognition on images to read vehicle registration plates to create vehicle location data. ANPR cameras can use existing closed-circuit television, road-rule enforcement cameras, or cameras specifically designed for the task. ANPR is used by police forces around the world for law enforcement purposes, including checking if a vehicle is registered or licensed. ANPR cameras are also used for electronic toll collection on pay-per-use roads and as a method of cataloguing the movements of traffic, for example by highways agencies.
ANPR cameras are designed specifically for number plate recognition and nothing else, which gives them higher performance at lower costs. They have special hardware explicitly designed for ANPR such as specialized optics, integrated light source, and special protective cases. ANPR cameras have their own AI-powered firmware, also designed for dealing only with number plates, performing additional discrimination processes to understand every license plate design in the world.
ANPR cameras are efficient in tracking cars and pulling their records, but they have other use cases as well. For instance, an ANPR camera can detect and enforce vehicles entering the low emission zones (LEZ) 24/7. ANPR cameras can automate access control systems, provide better security, prevent car theft, and make traffic management efficient. They are ideal for vehicle access control, security, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), tolling, car parks, and smart city applications.
ANPR cameras are often used at sites that require a higher level of security. Beyond event-logging, the technology can work with pre-defined lists to deny or grant vehicles access depending on their number plate. The police use ANPR to detect, deter, and disrupt criminality. This could mean anything from detecting uninsured and untaxed vehicles to locating stolen vehicles, or even solving cases of major and organized crime.
