How does ANPR Work in Car Parks?

The implementation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems has proved to be a worthy solution for car parks mainly due to the efficient way in which they work. In light of current developments where urban areas are expanding and people have a tendency to park their cars on roadsides and footpaths, and where the need for parking space is constantly on the rise, the use of ANPR systems is one of the most effective ways to control access to such areas.

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Read this blog to know how does ANPR works in car parks from the fundamental aspects, functions to power ANPAR in car parks, and the advantages that come with it for operators and use.

What is ANPR?

ANPR also known as Automatic Number Plate Recognition, is a technology used for capturing, interpreting, and storing license plate information from vehicles in real-time. Beyond just obtaining images of license plates, ANPR systems utilize advanced image processing and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) algorithms to accurately extract and decipher the characters displayed on the plates. These systems are equipped with high-resolution cameras strategically positioned at entry and exit points of car parks, allowing for seamless monitoring of vehicle movements and enabling efficient parking management and security measures.

Additionally, ANPR technology can integrate with databases to automate tasks such as ticketing, access control, and vehicle identification, enhancing overall operational efficiency and enhancing security protocols within car park facilities.

How Does ANPR Work in Car Parks?

Let's discuss how does ANPR work in car parks and the whole process of the operating principle and efficiency of the method. Here's a breakdown of the ANPR process in car parks:

1. Vehicle Capture: Once a car enters or leaves this car park, it is recorded by an ANPR camera which has a clear picture of the number plate.

2. Image Pre-processing: The captured image is pre-processed to improve image quality and remove artefacts if the image has been captured in bad or undesirable weather conditions or presents motion blur or any other artefact due to different lighting.

3. Character Recognition: OCR technology helps deduce the alphanumeric characters from the license plate image as part of ANPR software. This includes segmentation; which involves separating the individual characters from the image collected and recognising them based on patterns; where the object to be recognized is compared to a database of images of characters to be identified.

4. Data Matching: The license plate number thus generated is then compared to a list of authorized vehicles/ or a central parking management system.

5. Action Execution: Once the system has used the data match to determine a match to the ANPR system, the system will perform a set of actions that are preprogrammed. This would include opening up for licensed cars, calculating parking fees, and raising alarms on trespassing vehicles.

Benefits of ANPR Parking Solutions

With the advent of ANPR parking solutions car parks have become more effective in terms of its functioning. Here, we will look in detail at the advantages of ANPR parking solutions:

• Enhanced Security: ANPR systems can deter unauthorized access by identifying and alerting security personnel about blacklisted vehicles or those entering without permission.

• Improved Efficiency: ANPR automates the entry and exit process, eliminating the need for manual ticket collection or barrier operation. This leads to faster turnaround times and reduced congestion.

• Frictionless Parking Experience: Drivers can enjoy a seamless experience with ANPR systems, eliminating the need for tickets or fumbling for cash at exit points.

• Accurate Parking Fee Calculation: ANPR technology ensures accurate parking fee calculations based on the duration of a vehicle's stay in the car park.

• Data-Driven Management: ANPR systems generate valuable data on parking patterns, occupancy rates, and vehicle types. This data can be used to optimize parking space allocation, improve pricing strategies, and enhance the overall management of the car park facility.

Advanced Applications of ANPR in Car Parks

Today due to advancements in technology, ANPR systems are being installed in car parks. Let’s explore the advanced applications of ANPR in car parks:

• Pre-booking and Payment: ANPR can be integrated with online parking platforms, allowing drivers to pre-book parking spaces and pay fees electronically, further streamlining the parking experience.

• Reserved Parking Management: ANPR systems can be used to enforce designated parking spaces for permit holders or specific vehicle categories.

• Theft Prevention: Integration with law enforcement databases allows ANPR systems to identify stolen vehicles entering the car park, aiding in theft prevention efforts.

• Touchless Access: ANPR technology can be combined with RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or license plate recognition mobile apps for touchless access to car parks.

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The Future of ANPR Parking Solutions

ANPR technology is at the forefront of intelligent parking solutions. As ANPR systems become more sophisticated and integrated with other technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), we can expect even greater advancements:

• Real-time Parking Availability: The obtained data could help to indicate free parking places in a given car park in real-time for drivers to avoid a large number of hours spent in vain in search of space in the car park.

• Dynamic Pricing: Parking space and parking time can be dynamically priced based on real-time ANPR data generated to manage the overall use of the system effectively.

• Improved Security and Safety: Systems that use ANPR through AI can detect behaviour that can be deemed unsafe or concerning and vehicles of interest in car parks.

Conclusion

ANPR is the best solution for car parking management system. Thus, ANPR is making parking facilities smarter and more convenient for drivers in the future. Other applicable technologies will also improve with the steady development of ANPR technology, which means that car park management will only grow more inventive in the future.