U09: License Plate Recognition (Phase B)

6487828472010Final report; Nov. 2008-June 2010.PDFTech ReportLicense platesSpeed limitsTruckingHighway safetyIntelligent transportation systemsDigital camerasAutomobile license plates--United StatesSpeed limits--United StatesTrucks--United States--SpeedIntelligent transportation systemsRoads--United States--Safety measuresResearch HubTennesseeUnited StatesNational Transportation Research Center, Incorporated, University Transportation CenterHan, Lee D.Broucke, MireilleUnited States. Dept. of Transportation. Research and Innovative Technology AdministrationNTL-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS-INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMSNTL-LAWS AND REGULATIONS-State Laws and RegulationsNTL-OPERATIONS AND TRAFFIC CONTROLS-Traffic Control DevicesNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Speed LimitsUS Transportation CollectionLicense Plate Recognition (LPR) technology has been used for off-line automobile enforcement purposes. The technology has seen mixed success with correct reading rate as high as 60 to 80% depending on the specific application and environment. This limitation can be, and is often, remedied through human verification after the fact and before a citation is issued. Armed with advanced text-mining algorithms, this study enables LPR technology for real-time enforcement by matching plates whether correctly or incorrectly read at various locations in a network or along a corridor and, hence, tracking the movement and speed of vehicles. The focus of the project is on heavy vehicles as they are required to enter weigh stations, where the LPR tracking information can be used, in real time, for speed enforcement and/or as a triggering factor for other inspection activities. The initial objective of the study was to devise an inexpensive and effective means for helping improve air quality in non-attainment metropolitan areas through speed enforcement. The successful deployment of such a measure can also potentially lead to improved highway safety, fuel efficiency, and national security. It is desirable to deploy this technology in a larger scale to realize the benefits and potential