174 | TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT
A close eye on traffic Automatic license plate recognition software is being enhanced to control gates, monitor speed and even allow vehicles to access restricted or reserved parking spaces Words | Miriam Schreiber, Vision Components GmbH, Germany
Due to the many styles of license plates used across the world, the capabilities of automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) software are limited depending on where it is deployed. Carrida from Vision Components, however, is open for international applications. The hardware-independent OEM software already integrates a wide range of national license plate styles, including different characters and two-line plates. Based on a neural network, it can moreover be adapted to read additional plate types comparatively quickly. The software has been extensively tried and tested in various countries in a wide range of applications. It provides high accuracy, typically exceeding 96% in recognizing country-specific plates.
Comprehensive ALPR software Network Imaging Solutions (NIS), based in New Zealand, has developed the
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comprehensive NIS ALPR software package for PC, based on the Carrida engine. It is an access management solution encompassing camera technology, server infrastructure and end-user customization. Managing director John Hurford says, “Our database serves as a platform for integration with customer infrastructure. We create a plug-in to connect it to existing on-site software and hardware.” Among other features, NIS has enabled integration into Skidata systems. License plate data, time stamps and vehicle types can be automatically transmitted to Skidata back-end systems. The OEM has also developed a robust database system that is accessible through a web browser. Operators can edit misread plates and receive email notifications based on non-responsive software, as well as IP notifications, and they can see a status report
with the customized ‘current occupancy’ software module.
Cost-efficient image processing In Bulgaria, atto-Systems, a provider of industrial image-processing systems, has developed a very cost-efficient comprehensive license plate recognition solution for the domestic market. It is based on a Vision Components PCB camera running the Carrida engine. Featuring low power consumption of less than 3W, this camera is ideal for remote applications. “Using Carrida on the VC Z series embedded board camera enabled us to implement a compact solution very quickly in a cost-efficient way,” says Jörg Beutel, managing owner of atto-Systems. Four hundred traffic monitoring systems were installed in 200 locations across Bulgaria’s road network and were integrated into a