3 minute read
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 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
comprehensive intelligent transportation system. They perform a continuous traffic count, vehicle classification into 10 categories, speed detection and license plate recognition for vehicles traveling at up to 200km/h (124mph) in up to two lanes.
Congested parking facilities
With road transport always on the rise, parking facilities are often congested. Truck drivers regularly try three or four parking lots before finding a free space. They will be happy about a new business idea that makes company parking facilities that are otherwise unused at night or on weekends available to registered customers. Slots can be booked online ahead of time. The control center sends the license plate information to the system in the field, enabling automatic access. The barriers to the parking lots are controlled by Vision Components’ Carrida Cam, which is likely the world’s smallest standalone ALPR camera system, at just 88 x 58 x 36mm (3.5 x 2.3 x 1.4in). The camera integrates a processor for full ALPR functionality, memory for black/white list access control, infrared illumination, and anti-condensation heating. Cameras at the entrances and exits enable standalone gate control and transmit data to a connected system for billing. The service, recently launched and operated from Germany, already integrates parking areas all over Europe.
Vision Components provides full-scale solutions for ALPR. The hardware-independent Carrida software has a typical processing time of 30ms and a recognition accuracy of over 96%. Applications include toll/speed control, traffic analysis and fleet management. The Carrida Parking Management software module for automatic access control adds blacklist/whitelist capabilities and integrates a web server for easy monitoring and control. The portfolio is completed by sophisticated hardware solutions topped by the Carrida Cam network-compatible standalone camera. n
Opposite: Carrida automatically
detects, reads and classifies license plates
Above: A screenshot of the
Carrida Parking Management software module
4.0
Your stand-alone ALPR/ANPR solution.
Suitable for all monitoring and surveillance applications like access control, toll projects etc. CARRIDA combines the state-of-the-art camera hardware design with the powerful LPR engine, make+model module and a park management tool.
