Automatic Number Plate Recognition, known as ANPR, is an advanced technology, which allows vehicles to be identified by simply taking a picture of their registration plate.

The system, successfully installed at Lothian Buses, works by using at least one high quality camera linked to a computer based site controller which processes the video signal and extracts the registration number. Additional cameras can be used for other recognition areas such as additional fuel lanes, or to provide an overview picture showing both the vehicle and the driver.

Depending on your requirements, the registration number can be used to determine whether a vehicle can draw fuel, open a traffic barrier or start a vehicle wash. The system can log vehicle movements and can optionally generate alerts whenever vehicles enter or leave a designated area. These alerts can even be sent to a designated mobile phone by SMS text message.

Unlike other systems, you do not need to fit new registration plates to use your vehicles with our ANPR solution as it’s designed to work with standard  plates. ANPR can operate with infrared, colour and/or monochrome cameras.

The ANPR System

Here is an example ANPR system whereby a camera is used to identify vehicles to determine whether or not they are allowed to draw fuel from the site’s fuel pump.

• Vehicle parks next to the fuel pump.
• Driver swipes fuel tag to request fuel for the vehicle.
• Camera takes a picture of the vehicle.
• Computer processes the picture and extracts the registration number.
• Registration number sent to the fuel pump. The pump will only operate if the vehicle is authorised to draw fuel.