For a long time, car park enforcement was a matter of staff, paper tickets and the pressure to carry out checks. An employee would walk around the car park, check windscreens and note down number plates. This was prone to errors, expensive and unpleasant for everyone involved.
Nowadays, technology handles the bulk of this work. Cameras automatically recognise number plates, systems check in the background whether use is permitted, and operators receive data rather than having to rely on guesswork.
This guide summarises what this means in practice, how ANPR works in everyday life, and what private operators should bear in mind.
What ANPR is and what it can do
ANPR stands for Automatic Number Plate Recognition. Cameras at the entry and exit points capture the number plate of every vehicle and cross-reference it in real time against a set of rules. This set of rules can include all sorts of criteria: maximum permitted parking duration, registered long-term parkers, and exceptions for loyalty card holders or hotel guests.
Users are usually unaware of this. They drive in, park, and drive out again. As long as they follow the rules, nothing else happens. It is only when a rule is breached that the enforcement process kicks in. This is the key difference from traditional surveillance: ANPR does not instil fear, but only results in consequences when the agreed rules have actually been breached.
How the process works from a technical point of view
In real life, car park monitoring takes place in three stages.
Step 1: Registration on entry. The camera reads the number plate and records a timestamp. In barrier-free systems, this takes place whilst traffic is moving, without vehicles having to stop.
Step 2: Assessment during the stay. The system knows how long the vehicle has been parked in the car park. Special rules, such as those for customer parking spaces requiring proof of purchase or hotel guests with a booked room, are checked against the system in the background.
Step 3: Registration on exit. The exit is also recorded by a camera. Only then is the journey complete. If everything was in order, the data record is deleted after a short time. If a rule has been breached, the case is referred to a documented review process.
Important to bear in mind: Not every irregularity automatically results in a penalty charge. Reputable providers check each individual case before sending out a notice. This is what distinguishes fair from unfair parking enforcement.
Why ANPR makes sense for private operators
There are four key points relevant to the retail sector, the hotel sector and the residential property sector.
- Less friction for authorised users. No parking ticket, no barrier, no need to print out receipts. If you follow the rules, you won’t even notice the system is there.
- Reliable data rather than gut feeling. Occupancy rates, dwell times and the proportion of non-resident parkers can be measured accurately. Decisions regarding prices, opening hours or expansions are based on factual evidence.
- Fairer enforcement than with manual checks. A system does not forget, but neither does it discriminate. Rules are applied equally to all users, and are documented and transparent.
- Scalability. Whether it’s one site or a hundred, the operational costs per unit of floor space remain just as low. For operators with multiple properties, this is the real key to profitability.
What ANPR cannot do and where CCTV complements it
ANPR is a good solution to many, but not all, requirements. It is difficult to ensure access to emergency exits, fire brigade access routes or disabled parking spaces using number plate recognition alone. In such cases, CCTV usefully complements car park surveillance.
The operator should therefore choose a partner who is proficient in both technologies and can combine them in a way that is tailored to the specific site, rather than opting for a one-size-fits-all solution.
A brief overview of the GDPR and data protection
Number plate recognition raises data protection issues. Processing is permitted provided it is based on a sound legal basis, is clearly signposted, and the data is stored only for as long as is necessary for the purpose. Anyone choosing a provider should ask to see their data protection policy, not just a statement of assurance in the contract.
Sevoria Parking in Context
The Agena Group, which also includes Sevoria Parking, has been using ANPR for many years. Originally developed in the UK, drawing on experience from several thousand sites, and now adapted for the German market. It can be combined with CCTV, documented case-by-case reviews and transparent data sharing with our customers.
If you would like to find out whether ANPR is suitable for your premises, we would be happy to discuss the specific situation at your site.
