Automated License Plate Readers (LPRs) use specialized infrared technology or high resolution digital cameras and computer algorithms to quickly capture images of license plates, convert them to an electronically readable format and compare them quickly to any number of data files accessible by law enforcement. The information gathered by ALPRs helps law enforcement promote public safety and homeland security by recovering stolen vehicles or plates, assisting with Amber Alerts or other alerts, checking against terrorist watch lists and aiding in investigations.
In partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, AAMVA has formed an ALPR working group to address issues of effectiveness of ALPR technology.
The ALPR Working Group works to:
- Help member jurisdictions as well as license plate and LPR manufacturers by developing a best practices guide that will maximize the effectiveness of current and future ALPRs
- Compile a reference guide listing each State and Canadian Province and whether their official vehicle license record includes stacked letters and/or symbols and if those license plate characteristics are used in that State or Province. This reference guide will be based on a survey to be completed in 2012.
Members of the Working Group include state and local law enforcement administrators, homeland security representatives and industry technical advisors.
Just Released in February 2012! License Plate Configuration Design Booklet
The Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Working Group has completed compiling a License Plate Configuration Design Booklet that highlights the responses from the Jurisdictions that participated in the working group survey. This Booklet has four parts: Part I covers License Plate Length, Repeats & Record Retrieval; Part II covers Stacked Characters; Part III covers Use of Non-Alpha/Numeric Characters; and Part IV contains License Plate image examples.
This is one of two deliverables required by the Statement of Work between AAMVA and Customs and Border Protection (the funding agency). The second deliverable, a document titled “A Best Practice Guide for Improving ALPR Effectiveness through Uniform License Plate Design and Manufacture” is currently under development and is scheduled to be published in October 2012.