ANPR stands for Automatic Number Plate Recognition. ‘Free-Flow’ describes the principle behind it: vehicles enter and exit without stopping, without a ticket and without a barrier. A camera now performs the tasks that used to be carried out by mechanical systems.
What is ANPR-Free-Flow – and how does it work?
How ANPR Free-Flow works in three steps
- Step 1: Driveway. The vehicle drives into the car park without stopping. An ANPR camera automatically captures the number plate and records the time of entry.
- Step 2: Parking procedure. The software assigns the licence plate to a parking transaction. Parking duration, rates and authorisations are processed in real time, fully automatically and without any manual intervention.
- Step 3: Exiting and payment. The number plate is scanned again on exit. Payment is processed automatically, for example via a pre-registered app, at the on-site pay station or by making an online top-up payment within a specified time window.
Unlike a traditional barrier system, there is no physical contact point to interrupt the flow of traffic. And unlike hybrid systems, where barriers only open for registered users, the barrier is eliminated entirely. For all users, at all times.
The key benefits at a glance
Smooth traffic flow. Without a barrier, there are no stops and no traffic jams. Vehicles drive in and out just as they would on a normal road.
Significantly lower operating costs. No mechanical parts, no ticket printers, no coin validators. Industry experts often estimate that the investment pays for itself within 12 to 18 months.
Real-time, data-driven management. Utilisation by the hour, dwell time, proportion of non-resident parkers: for the first time, operators gain genuine transparency over their car park.
Fair enforcement. Responsible providers document their processes transparently, investigate breaches on a case-by-case basis and waive contractual penalties where justified.
Quick answers to frequently asked questions
Do all users need an app?
No. A good free-flow system offers an app, on-site payment terminals and the option to pay the balance online. No one is excluded.
What about the GDPR?
ANPR systems process number plate data for specific purposes and for a limited period of time. GDPR-compliant systems automatically delete data once the retention period has expired.
Isn’t the initial investment too high?
Often, the opposite is true. Installation is usually cheaper than replacing an existing barrier system. In the case of enforcement models, the system may even be cost-neutral for the operator.
The bottom line for car park owners:
ANPR-Free-Flow is tried-and-tested technology, not a vision of the future. Anyone wishing to find out whether switching to this system makes sense for their own site should, above all, ensure they choose the right partner. In our next article, we’ll show which sectors stand to benefit most and what to look out for when making your choice.
