Q&A with Senior Systems Engineer, Tyler Duggan
3 min read
The parking and mobility industry is experiencing a transformation driven by frictionless experiences for both businesses and consumers. License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology is at the core of this shift. LPR has enhanced parking operations by simplifying entry and exit procedures, enforcement strategies, and the overall user experience.
In this interview, Tyler Duggan, Senior Systems Engineer at Precise Parklink, expands upon how license plate recognition (LPR) technology works.
Q. How does license plate recognition (LPR) technology work?
A. License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology enables vehicle license plates to act as a credential at access points, simplifying the payment process and allowing customers to enter and exit parking facilities quickly.
STEP 1 – Image capture. A video or image of a vehicle’s license plate is captured using an optical or infrared camera.
STEP 2 – Localization. Once the vehicle license plate is captured, a license plate localization algorithm is used to determine the specific area of interest in the camera’s field of view where the license plate is located.
STEP 3 – Character Recognition. Character recognition algorithms are used to determine the alphanumeric characters inside the localization part of the image that was previously captured.
STEP 4—Post Processing. The license plate is then compared to either an access, notification, or block list to determine whether the vehicle is granted access.
What are the most common licence plate recognition configurations?
When it comes to LPR technology for transient parking scenarios, there are four configurations that suit most parking operations.
In a ticketless gated parking mode, the license plate is read at the entry gate. At exit, the license plate is read again, the fee due is calculated based on the car’s entry and exit times, and payment is made at exit.
In a frictionless non-gated parking mode, LPR devices are situated at the parking lot entry and exit. With a post-pay model, transient parkers are sent an invoice for their parking session (or are automatically deducted from their card if the plate and card are registered in the app).
Similar to the frictionless configuration, there is also a pre-pay model, where parkers enter their license plate and pay for their transaction in advance either at a meter or on an app. The LPR system here now becomes an operational tool, as it can alert your facility’s enforcement team if a payment isn’t registered within a pre-defined time threshold.
In gated parking environments, a license plate is read at the entry terminal, where the parker typically obtains an entry ticket. At the end of the stay, payment is made either with a mobile payment offering or at a pay station. When the vehicle approaches the exit, the LPR technology will read the plate, check the database for payment of the ticket associated to the license plate, and send a signal to raise the gate.
Parking operators can leverage their LPR system for other operational efficiencies like verification of valid parking sessions, notification of arrivals of specific VIP guests, and can even tie into the Ministry’s hot list and BOLO lists.
Want to learn more? Watch the full Q&A below!