Automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) has become an increasingly notable security tool not only for law enforcement, but in the commercial realm as well. First introduced to the market more than 30 years ago, upgrades in the technology have bolstered the benefits of ALPR as we see the technology integrated into a number of different applications for security professionals.
Its broad applicability makes it a compelling solution for security integrators to add to their offerings targeted at law enforcement, perimeter security and access control. ALPR helps end-users make quick and well-informed decisions by providing accurate and timely information, which saves valuable staff time in addition to helping solve crimes.
The History of ALPR
In its infancy, ALPR was generally used for traffic management purposes in Europe. Governments and police departments used the technology to monitor and enforce speed limits, the use of tollways, and the flow of traffic. Favoring fixed cameras over mobile cameras, ALPR technology is a staple on roadways in the United Kingdom.
ALPR made its way to the United States in the early 1990s, where we see it most commonly used by police departments in mobile applications.
Originally, ALPR technology was similar to camcorders or CCTV cameras, using closed caption display sensors to capture images of license plates. Evolving over time, ALPR cameras now function using infrared illuminators, which, unlike closed caption display sensors, are more efficient and functional no matter the time of day and across a variety of weather conditions. These strides have made the technology more alluring to not only law enforcement agencies, but also other fields where perimeter and exterior security are critical.
Another turning point in ALPR technology was the advent of wireless Internet. The ability to connect to the Internet boosted the allure of mobile ALPR cameras, as sending data to back-end software and servers in near real-time became possible. Adding online functions to support the technology increased its benefits.
Mobile ALPR has gained traction in the U.S. because of the success seen in law enforcement; however banks, corporate headquarters and college campuses are prime candidates to embrace ALPR as a perimeter security and access control method.
Use Case: ALPR for Access Control
Today, it is not enough to have one point of security and access control at the front desk. Companies must validate admittance at the first point of entry — vehicle parking.
The corporate security team at one of the world’s largest credit card companies identified this vulnerability and looked to 3M for help. Working together, a solution was cultivated using ALPR technology to ensure efficient and effective perimeter security and access control.
Introduced to create greater efficiency and replace a cumbersome keypad, 3M worked with the company’s engineering and development team to ensure the ALPR cameras communicated effectively with the existing security management system. The credit card company is now able to upload a list of authorized names and corresponding license plates to the server, so when a known employee vehicle drives up to one of the site’s nine entry points, the camera signals the security gate to open automatically. This also provides the company with the ability to chronicle all license plates individually for a specific location and have a record of everyone entering and leaving the premises.
The additional layer of security and perimeter surveillance comes to the user’s employees without any additional steps or inconvenience for them. Since the successful launch of the ALPR cameras, the company has decided to expand the program to several more of their global campuses.
ALPR and Law Enforcement
Privacy issues have and will continue to surround ALPR. Still, there is no denying the impact and importance the technology has in the law enforcement arena, helping officers solve crimes and serving as a perimeter security tool. Some of the ways ALPR aids law enforcement agencies today include:
- BOLO alerts: ALPR has changed the way “be on the lookout” (BOLO) alerts are issued and tracked. Having a technology that can quickly capture and aggregate license plate images supports officers when BOLOs go out. ALPR is a unique tool that can be used when solving current crimes and cold cases.
- Speed and accuracy: ALPR cameras are equipped with a built-in illuminator to effectively suppress ambient lighting, like headlights and bright sunlight, to increase accurate reads at all times of the day. Capable of capturing 60 frames per second, mobile cameras have proven to be an effective tool for capturing license plate information on vehicles driving down a suburban neighborhood at 10 mph as well as those traveling on 75 mph roadways.
- Transparency: ALPR is supported by back-end software with wide reporting capabilities. As the technology and software continue to evolve, measures have been added to facilitate transparency and hold those using the equipment accountable. While data retention laws vary by state, the software supporting the technology delivers top-notch reporting, security, and accountability.
About the Author: Amy McKeown is U.S. Public Security Segment Marketer for 3M’s Traffic Safety and Security Division.
