Mastering ANPR System Functionality: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering ANPR System Functionality: A Comprehensive Guide

Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems have transformed the way law enforcement agencies track and monitor vehicles.

Gone are the days when ANPR systems were limited to capturing low-quality images of license plates. Today, these systems employ advanced algorithms and high-resolution cameras to achieve more accurate and efficient results.

Whether you’re a law enforcement professional looking to enhance your understanding of ANPR capabilities or an organisation curious about the intricacies of this cutting-edge technology, this guide will provide you with the knowledge you need.

So, strap in and get ready to master ANPR system functionality with this comprehensive guide.

Let’s get started, shall we?

Understanding ANPR System Basics

Automatic Number Plate Recognition, or ANPR, is a technology that uses optical character recognition to read vehicle registration plates.

It’s a critical component in many traffic and security systems. It allows these systems to capture and analyse images in real-time, providing fast and accurate identification of license plates.

The system consists of several key elements: the camera, the illuminator, the processor, and the software.

The camera captures the image of the vehicle’s number plate, while the illuminator ensures the license plate is visible, particularly at night or in poor light.

The processor then digitises the image, preparing it for analysis.

Lastly, the software, the heart of the system, employs algorithms to recognise and read the number plate’s characters.

Use Cases of ANPR Systems in Businesses

Parking Management and Control

In 2023 and beyond, Malaysian parking spaces are expected to be heavily influenced by smart parking technology, and the ANPR system is no exception.

ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology can be incorporated by utilising smart sensor technologies and the continuous development of IoT (Internet-of-Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) technologies.

Users can conveniently settle their parking fees through a mobile app by looking up their license plate in the parking management system.

Additionally, combined with the integration of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology, it can further automate the access control process, allowing users to enter or exit the parking lot seamlessly, with payments automatically deducted from their accounts.

Traffic Enforcement and Management

According to the Transport Ministry, a total of 915,874 road accidents were recorded throughout 2021 and 2022 in Malaysia.

Minister Anthony Loke stated that in 2022, there were 545,588 road accidents with 6,080 deaths, while in 2021, there were 370,286 accidents with 4,539 deaths.

The main causes of these accidents were found to be mainly human behaviour, followed by the design and condition of road infrastructure and vehicles.

Traffic enforcement agencies and departments often use ANPR systems to monitor and control traffic violations. The system can automatically identify vehicles breaking traffic rules such as over-speeding, illegal parking, and running red lights.

A prominent example is the Automated Enforcement System (AES), an automatic enforcement system that uses ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology to track and record traffic offences.

It operates 24/7 and covers offences such as beating traffic lights and speeding. The system automatically detects, and records offences in accident-prone areas where cameras are installed, and the information is sent to the AES Control Center in real time.

Summons are issued automatically and sent to the offenders, and if they choose not to pay or go to trial, the information is forwarded to the court.

Security and Surveillance

ANPR systems are extensively used in security and surveillance to monitor and control access to secure areas. The system can identify and alert security personnel about unauthorised or suspicious vehicles, thereby preventing potential security threats.

For instance, the implementation of the ANPR system resulted in a 25% decrease in illegal border crossings at the EU’s external borders from 2010 to 2017.

It can also help in investigating crimes by providing valuable information, like the vehicle’s movement history.

For example, the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system implemented by police in Malaysia has proven to be highly effective in traffic enforcement.

During a traffic operation in Johor in 2016, the devices were able to detect 2,000 traffic offenders and individuals with outstanding summonses.

The high-definition camera used in the system not only captures and reads vehicle registration numbers but also helps in identifying blacklisted vehicles and criminals on the road.

Additionally, the ANPR system has helped police patrol units identify 87 criminal cases, mainly involving stolen cars.

Toll Collection and Highway Management

ANPR systems are revolutionising the process of toll collection on highways. Traditional toll collection methods often create congestion and delay.

However, with the ANPR system, vehicles are identified and charged automatically as they pass through the toll plaza, eliminating the need for them to stop.

One of the tolled highways in Malaysia, specifically the Sungai Besi Expressway (Besraya), will be implementing a Multi-Lane-Fast-Flow (MLFF) Proof of Concept (POC) using a combination of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.

The implementation of MLFF on Besraya is expected to be completed by the end of October 2023, and to fully implement MLFF on 11 highways by Q3 2024.

How Can Businesses Implement an ANPR System?

Understanding the ANPR System

Before implementing an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) system, businesses need to understand its functionality and benefits thoroughly.

This involves knowing how the system captures and processes images, how it interprets data, and how it stores and retrieves information.

Selecting the Right ANPR System

Businesses should consider factors such as the system’s accuracy, speed of recognition, ease of integration, and scalability. It’s advisable to choose a system that offers high accuracy and fast recognition speeds to ensure efficient operations.

In addition, the selected ANPR system should be easy to integrate with the existing infrastructure.

It should also be scalable to accommodate future growth and changes in the business.

Installing and Configuring the ANPR System

This process involves setting up the ANPR cameras at strategic locations, installing the necessary software, and configuring the system settings. 

Configuring the system settings involves setting the cameras and parameters for number plate recognition, such as the recognition accuracy and the speed of recognition.

Conduct tests to ensure the system is functioning correctly and making any necessary adjustments. Proper installation and configuration will ensure optimal performance of the ANPR system.

Maintaining the ANPR System

Just like any other technological system, an ANPR system requires regular maintenance to function optimally.

This includes cleaning the cameras, updating the software, and checking the system’s performance. 

Furthermore, businesses should have a contingency plan in place to deal with any system failures or disruptions. This might include having backup cameras or an alternative number plate recognition system.

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At Grayscale, cybersecurity is our priority, and at the same time, professing the latest tech is our passion. That’s why we are dedicated to helping businesses with the ANPR system needs.

With our expertise, your business can ensure maximum performance and accuracy of its ANPR system for optimal security and efficiency.

If you still struggling to take advantage of the ANPR system functionality, don’t worry, we are here to help. 

Learn more with us at enquiries@grayscale.my so we can provide you with a better understanding and make the most out of your ANPR system today.

References

1. MAV Systems Ltd. (2018). What is Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)? ANPR Cameras. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://www.anprcameras.com/about-us/understanding-anpr/

2. Malaysiakini. (2022, December 20). Malaysian Parking Trends in 2023. Malaysiakini. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://www.malaysiakini.com/announcement/648877 

3. Asia Mobiliti. (2023, January 4). Smart Technology of Private Parking Lots in Malaysia. Asia Mobiliti. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://asiamobiliti.com/smart-technology-of-private-parking-lots-in-malaysia/ 

4. GIMINO, G., RAHIM, R., & YUSOF, A. (2023, June 13). 915874 road accidents recorded throughout 2021 and 2022, says Transport Ministry. The Star. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/13/915874-road-accidents-recorded-in-2021-and-2022-says-transport-ministry 

5. Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan. (2018). AES. JPJ. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://www.jpj.gov.my/en/web/main-site/aes 

6. European Commission. (2017). Final Report Study on Urban Vehicle Access Regulations. Transport. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://transport.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2017-09/uvar_final_report_august_28.pdf 

7. Lim, A. (2015, October 6). Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system – police set to deploy 20 cameras in next two months – paultan.org. Paul Tan’s Automotive News. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://paultan.org/2015/10/06/automated-number-plate-recognition-anpr-system-police-set-to-deploy-20-cameras-in-next-two-months/ 

8. RAZALI, Y. (2016, September 23). Police gain upper hand on traffic enforcement with new ANPR system. New Straits Times. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/09/175684/police-gain-upper-hand-traffic-enforcement-new-anpr-system 

9. Wong, A. (2023, March 30). Besraya to use both RFID and ANPR for Multi-Lane-Fast-Flow POC. Malay Mail. Retrieved October 26, 2023, from https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/03/30/besraya-to-use-both-rfid-and-anpr-for-multi-lane-fast-flow-poc/62255