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Infrared Technologies Used In Traffic Control Situations
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IR Technologies
Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) is a technology that utilizes optical character recognition of images. This technology has been used for many years to detect and capture the image of license plates on automobiles. This license plate recognition technology captures the image and stores it; some of the infrared cameras that examine the license plate numbers also snap a photo of the automobile and/or driver as well. The infrared ANPR is used in safety and traffic applications around the globe.
The camera, which uses an infrared lighting system, takes an image of both the front and rear of the vehicle then analyzes the image that’s captured. The software that processes the image extracts the license plate information and uploads it into a storage system. The data can be used for law enforcement, in the case of running a red light, or in accident situations.
The license plate recognition system:
- Captures the image of the license plate
- In most cases the driver never knows his license has been photographed because the infrared camera works without having to use a flash
- The camera is wired, or works wirelessly, to upload the information to a remote computer with license plate recognition software
- Some of the systems also capture a photo of the driver’s face which is then electronically stored with the license plate information
- The information can be uploaded to law enforcement computers and tickets can be generated and mailed to the individual to whom the vehicle is registered
Infrared license plate recognition systems have various models, which are chosen depending on the location that is being monitored and the reason for the camera having been installed.
- There are mobile license plate recognition (LRP) systems and these are used for mobile law enforcement vehicles. The cameras in this technology immediately capture the license image, the driver’s photo and the information is analyzed and stored in a database. This type of technology is ideal for law enforcement to utilize when looking for suspect or stolen vehicles.
- A fixed camera LPR can be used to monitor drivers that run red lights and can also be installed in areas in which vehicle traffic is forbidden or limited. With this system, not only is the license plate information and vehicle information captured but images of the entire vehicle and driver image are captured and all the information is date and time-stamped.
Infrared technologies are best for traffic camera usage because cameras equipped with infrared can capture photos when there is low or no ambient light.