New high definition vehicle tracking

A new state-of-the-art automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) HD system allows up to four lanes of traffic to be simultaneously monitored using just one camera.

Incorporating intelligent vehicle tracking throughout the field of view, including bi-direction and junction mapping, the new ANPR HD system from Watchman is capable of high-speed plate recognition from multiple lanes with fast moving high density traffic.

The system has a powerful new trigger algorithm which can locate multiple number plates in the same field of view and read them much faster than standard ANPR systems. Each plate is processed multiple times ensuring superior performance and higher accuracy, typically in excess of 98 per cent.

A two-megapixel camera captures images, whatever the time of day or night or the weather conditions, and feeds that data to the ANPR HD engine. These images are then processed to produce a recognition ‘event’ that is accompanied by the plate read, the time and date stamp, and, if necessary, a lane identifier, ensuring a fully accurate record of all vehicle movement at any time.

Using wide angle, the ANPR HD is ideal for multiple lane motorway traffic but it can be used in a range of applications including control barriers and traffic lights monitoring. Up to 200 HD cameras can be supported on a single system enabling vehicle journeys to be monitored over much larger road networks.

One of the major advantages of a single camera recording the complete field of view comes in the event of a road traffic accident. Data records produce an accurate picture of overall lane activity immediately before and after an incident, so that vehicles contributing to the outcome but not necessarily involved in the actual accident can be retrospectively identified through their number plate and, if necessary, traced.

The new system from the Oldham-based specialist in the development and manufacture of intelligent traffic systems, has been in development for six months. Director Jim Barnard said: “Not only does the single camera reduce hardware costs and installation time, but the quality of the data it is able to capture and the way that information can now be processed and used takes vehicle tracking and counting to a different level.”