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Automatic License Plate Readers are apparatus that employ specific cameras and software to capture, analyze, and store the license plate details of vehicles that pass by. Often employed by law enforcement as a tool against crime, ALPRs can generate records of vehicular activity and cross-reference license plate information with governmental databases concerning vehicles of interest. While some of these systems have attracted enough controversy to incite vandalism of traffic cameras, they can also serve as effective investigative instruments when, for instance, police aim to find a stolen vehicle.
Nonetheless, ALPRs are not infallible, and various factors can influence their accuracy. A build-up of grime may obscure a license plate. Meteorological conditions, such as rain or snow, or inadequate lighting can lead to poor image quality. Misplacement of the camera could result in distorted characters or difficulties in reading plates of vehicles varying in height.
These issues might cause a vehicle or individual to be misidentified by the system, leading to increased scrutiny from law enforcement. Below, we present four common reasons Automatic License Plate Readers might err when interpreting a vehicle’s license plate.
Characters on the license plate that look alike
