Get more out of ANPR
Middle East users are taking advantage of improving hardware and software solutions to do more with Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR). Security Middle East reports
The applications for ANPR globally are now widespread, ranging from control of traffic at major sites such as airports and citywide traffic monitoring schemes, to localised enforcement in roads and private car parks. Users in the Middle East have to deal with bigger challenges than those in Europe because of the greater variety of number plate types – including plates which are not retro-reflective, plates with different font sizes and colours, and plates with pictures on them – however systems are being installed and used successfully, and improving camera and software technology is making them more viable.
For example, Hassan Ahmed of CBC says the Ganz Roadstar system is being used to do a wide variety of jobs, from automatically lifting barriers for known vehicles, measuring car park stay times, identifying stolen vehicles, recording vehicles at fuel stations and providing statistical reports.
The Ganz Roadstar system has three elements to give full operation: capture, process and display. Each Ganz element is provided in a prepackaged easy-to-fit kit.
Not only is it easy to install, says Hassan, it’s also easy to use, so customers can get maximum value by taking advantage of additional options such as variable message signs to welcome visitors, or give warning messages.
One of the market leaders, CitySync, is currently working on a number of ANPR projects in the region, one of them a major 230-lane system for major retail client. “Cameras will be sited strategically around a car park and will track vehicles as they enter different zones,” explains CitySync’s VP Enterprise Solutions, Desna Fielding. “Apart from improved security, one important use for the system will be in helping drivers who forget where they have parked their cars.”
She says that the use of high definition ANPR cameras, from specialist suppliers such as Raytec, means that a new generation of ANPR systems can be designed which cope much better with the variety of number plate styles in the region.
“The latest cameras have six times the resolution of old analogue models, which makes it much less likely that they will mis-read a number plate. I think the benefits of ANPR are clear and these new technologies will accelerate the take up of ANPR in the region.”
Software and hardware
The software behind ANPR systems is critical to their effectiveness, and it’s becoming more and more powerful. For users with existing CCTV systems who are interested in adding ANPR to the mix, one of the most interesting new developments is the WTL Viewer Software package from Watchman Traffic Ltd.
This allows the complete integration of existing CCTV systems with ANPR and 3G cameras. So in effect, anyone with a CCTV system and suitable cameras can use the WTL package to upgrade to full ANPR capability.
The new WTL system offers much greater flexibility than other ANPR software because it can handle an unlimited number of traffic lanes, and view up to 16 video windows simultaneously.
It lets you save multiple window profiles which then allows you to step through an unlimited amount of video inputs. As a user you have the ability to define what video feed appears in each window with the added feature that the video description follows the selected input.
The flexibility of the display means that you can view live video, live ANPR recognition views and historical searching without having to switch screens.
The WTL Viewer Software is designed to handle all the key ANPR functions, from journey time analysis, to access control and congestion charging, and it also supplies evidence packs.
On the hardware side, Watchman Traffic Ltd supplies a full range of cameras, including its Witness unit, which incorporates a colour overview camera as well as the pulsed IR camera, which captures the number plates.
The witness camera is simple to install because it requires only power – it has in-built recognition, hard disk, database, plus 3G, Wi-Fi and GPS communication capability. The unit can be rapidly deployed and dialled into to view live imagery from both the overview and ANPR cameras.
The camera can be remotely interrogated and simultaneously stream information to multiple points. And it can be fully integrated with a speed radar system. All images produced are encrypted and watermarked with time, date, location & speed if required.
Reading Arabic plates
Traffic Tech (Gulf) has developed one of the first ANPR systems for reading Arabic number plates and characters.
Automatically capturing the number plates and cross-referencing with a provided database, the system delivers un-interrupted and human error-free operation. The company recently implemented the parking management system at Doha International Airport (DIA) in Qatar. The car parks at the airport have been equipped with an ANPR system designed to prevent fraud and improve security.
The system reads each vehicle’s license plate number and saves it in a file that includes the parking ticket number, along with an overview picture of the vehicle. At exit, and upon reading the parking ticket, the computer automatically compares the license plate number, plus the operator can see an overview image of the car at entry and exit to visually check whether it is the same car or not.
The new system was developed to meet the specific needs of the DIA to prevent fraud and counter attempts by those who have parked long-term and then claim that they have lost their ticket in order to pay only a one-day parking fee. Now, if anyone claims to have lost their ticket, the parking operator can confirm exactly when they arrived in the facility by simply entering the car license plate number on the system computer. Other obvious advantages of integrating the ANPR with the parking management system are better security and prevention of car theft.
Journey time monitoring
Journey Time Analysis (JTA) and Journey Time Measurement Systems (JTMS) are key applications of traffic monitoring and management of which Appian Technology is a leading solution provider. Appian’s JTA solution provides real time travel and speed information on vehicles travelling along open roads and motorways and through urban and city centre areas. ANPR cameras are strategically deployed at the roadside in a number of locations, to capture number plates along a designated road network. The highly accurate information recorded by Appian’s JTA solution, is processed and distributed in a variety of forms, including variable-message signs and websites.
 The WTL Viewer Software package from Watchman Traffic. allows the complete integration of existing CCTV systems with ANPR and 3G cameras
Talon ANPR is an effective system for bus lane enforcement and enforcement for pedestrianised areas. Talon can detect and identify vehicles using bus lanes or pedestrianised areas during forbidden times. This can be achieved through the use of ‘White List’ databases of buses, taxis and emergency vehicles. The vehicles using these restricted areas will be cross-checked against the database and images will be stored of the unregistered vehicles using these areas.
Talon Car Park Management calculates the time a vehicle stays in a car park. It provides organisations and car park operators with a comprehensive method of monitoring, controlling access and managing car parking resources or site traffic.
Automated access control
Derwent CCTV is launching REG-SENTRY, its first ANPR-based automated vehicle access control system. Designed to make life easy for installers, the system can be installed as either a stand-alone solution or it can be quickly integrated with existing access control equipment.
REG-SENTRY allows the user to easily configure the system from any linked PC to permit or bar entry to any vehicle attempting to enter a secure site. Users upload number plate data using the PC based Sentry-Viewer software, creating their own custom White/Black list.
The REG camera captures the number plate of any vehicle approaching an access control point and sends that data to the REG-SENTRY control box which processes the information, compares it to the list and sends a signal to the access barrier to open or remain closed.
The package comprises a REG-SENTRY control box with embedded processing engine, a choice of Derwent’s field proven REG number plate capture cameras to accommodate a range of required capture distances plus easy to use Sentry-Viewer software.
Together the system delivers a flexible, user-friendly ANPR solution for a wide range of access control applications.
Finally, Milestone’s XProtect Analytics – LPR (License Plate Recognition) 1.5 is a system that can read, detect, alert and store license plate information from a video stream.
It is designed for Vehicle Access Control, such as traffic surveillance and enforcement, toll and parking management, gas stations, transportation or any other applications and situations where there is a need for registration, recognition and detection of vehicle license plates. The business value of License Plate Recognition ranges from protection of assets to increase in customer service and ultimately added revenue streams, points out Milestone. 
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