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Automatic Number Plate Recognition System – A Complete Guide

What is an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system? How does it detect license plates? Why do we need it? How can it be used? What are its characteristics? Where is it used? If you want to know all these answers then be patient. Since this article is going to answer all your questions!

Probably you have noticed the increment of the number of cars on the road. In 2010, over 1 billion cars were in use! This includes light, medium and heavy vehicles. In the present year, the number has increased considerably. In the next 15 years, it will reach 2.5 billion! This will lead to the impending need to detect and identify an illegal car and find out owner’s information immediately in case of accidents.

Ever imagined how much time it can take? Well that answer lies with the ANPR system! So, indulge in this content to know some amazing facts about it!

What is Automatic Number Plate Recognition?

Probably you have heard of license plate detection. Well, ANPR is the automated version of it. Well ANPR is a highly accurate system that reads license plates without human interference. Automated Number Plate Recognition goes by many names. Some of them include:

  • Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR)
  • Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI)
  • License Plate Recognition (LPR)
ANPR

What Processes are Involved to Recognize License Plates Automatically?

ANPR systems use special algorithms and pattern recognition technology for detection. The ANPR process can be divided into four steps:

  • Capturing the vehicle’s image Capturing the vehicle’s image – It involves capturing images of a vehicle with its number plate using cameras
  • Number plate detection:Trained algorithms then analyze the image to find license plates. The system turns captured images into gray-scale images. This is called binarization. Then noise is removed from the image. This process helps in the third step.
  • Character segmentation:This stands as a gateway for proper results. Characters not properly segmented can end up breaking into two segments. Therefore, algorithms mainly use neural networks for this process. Moreover, character segmentation occurs in two ways. Firstly, using horizontal segmentation (common approach). Secondly, using vertical segmentation. This completely depends on how the numbers are placed
  • Character recognition:So now comes the last step. It includes recognizing the characters from the segmented image. This process is called feature extraction. Data transformation happens from bitmap representations. This data is transformed into descriptors (suitable for computers). Vectors of numeral values which describe a particular character are called descriptors.

Thereby, you can say that systems using these processes to detect license plates are called ANPR systems. Now that you know about the process let’s focus more on its importance.

ANPR

Why do we need Automatic Number Plate Recognition Systems?


As said earlier, ANPR systems provide smarter vehicle surveillance solutions. This happens to ease one of the prime concerns of the security sectors. Since automated monitoring saves a lot of their time. Which, therefore, allows them to focus on other important tasks that need their attention. So, here are some of the reasons which makes usage of ANPR systems a must!

  • Faster traffic management
  • Enhanced parking management
  • Better security and prevention of crimes like car thefts
  • Provides better evidence and lines of inquiry
  • Automates access control systems
  • Allows modern and effective law enforcement

Software Used with Automatic Number Plate Recognition

Well just like AI, ANPR is only a technology. Earlier, ANPR were used with video management systems. But today, with the rise of artificial intelligence, ANPR collaborates with video analytics software for better results. Furthermore, this software provides some amazing facilities. This includes both security and procedure optimization solutions.

What are the features of Automatic Number Plate Recognition Systems?

Like all other technologies, these systems also have some unique features. Furthermore, it is a cost-effective software which is low on maintenance! Some of its features are:

  • Automated 24/7 surveillance
  • Detects and translates license plate registration number in real time
  • Provide instant alert on detecting stolen, illegal, suspected and VIP vehicles
  • Recognizes number plates with different colors, fonts and styles
  • Ensures data security and confidentiality
  • A single console can integrate multiple entry points
  • Generates custom reports

Usage of Automatic Number Plate Recognition Systems

Numerous markets use ANPR today. Since it provides effective flow of traffic, verification, enforcement and other related services. So, let’s discuss some of these services which use ANPR systems for their benefit!

ANPR

Parking Management

We all face some or the other issue while parking. Even the management sometimes find it difficult to help out. So, automatic number plate recognition systems become their helping hand. Some of the applications it provides include:

  • Automated license number and entry time registration
  • Easy free parking spaces detection
  • Finds the total number of vehicles parked
  • Analyzes the total number of empty spaces
  • Locate a particular vehicle using its license plate number
  • Automated bill generation at exit points

That makes parking a much easier and smoother process, making both the customers and the management happy.

Tolling

Tolling has become a time-saving process, thanks to automatic number plate recognition systems! It automates the process of validating vehicle types and their payments. This, moreover, reduces the waiting time.

Furthermore, drivers on the run can pay later via online payment. Firstly, license plates get scanned and registered in the system. Secondly, it gets uploaded on the site from where drivers can clear their payments.

Other ANPR Solutions

Moreover, ANPR provides some other solutions as well. They include:

  • Traffic surveillance
  • City surveillance
  • Gated Community Security
  • Traffic violation detection
  • Traffic count and classification

Conclusion

Hence we can conclude that ANPR solutions tend to gain a huge popularity today. Starting from enforcement to providing smoother day-to-day facilities, it has served all. Yet technology is evolving and you will get to see much advancements in the near future!

Stuck somewhere with an automatic number plate recognition system? Then comment down below and let us know and we will come up with a solution instantly!