AI + ANPR: High-Precision
Parking Enforcement for Modern Facilities

ANPR helps authorities and private operators maintain order, improve compliance, and optimize parking operations across both public and private environments.

Bridging Public and Private Parking Enforcement Challenges

Public Parking Enforcement Challenges:

Technology Limits Lower Recognition Rates

Public streets are exposed to various environmental conditions. Traditional license plate recognition systems often fail to capture a clear image of vehicles parked under heavy rain, snow, fog, or strong backlighting, significantly reducing LPR accuracy.

Manual Processes Inflate Labor Expenses and Undermine Efficiency

Many municipalities and government agencies still rely on manual patrols and ticketing, which are labor-intensive, prone to human error, and inefficient for covering large parkingareas.

Regulatory Complexity Heightens Compliance Risks

Municipalities operate under diverse and sometimes ambiguous regulations regarding ticket issuance, appeal rights, and data use. Errors in plate recognition or improper issuance can lead to legal disputes.

Urban Congestion Adds Logistical Constraints

High traffic volumes and limited space in dense urban areas create physical and operational challenges for consistent and timely enforcement. 

Challenges for Private Parking Operators

Complex Parking Scenarios Drive Up Operational Overhead

Frequent vehicle re-entries, overlapping sessions, and non-standard usage patterns increase the complexity of billing and system logic, resulting in higher operational and maintenance costs.

Poor Infrastructure Drives Need for Off-Grid Deployment

Many private car parks lack stable power supply or network connectivity, making it difficult to deploy and maintain conventional enforcement systems.

Brand Reputation and Customer Experience at Risk

Errors in enforcement or overly aggressive penalty mechanisms can lead to customer dissatisfaction, complaints, and long-term damage to a facility's reputation.

Fixed vs. Mobile Parking Enforcement: Which Suits Your Needs?

A Quick Overview of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Parking Enforcement

ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) technology uses AI-driven image processing to detect, identify vehicles, and extract license plate information from passing traffic. Once captured, this data is transmitted to a management platform, where it can trigger enforcement actions such as ticket issuance, entry and exit, or occupancy tracking.

In parking enforcement, ANPR plays a central role by automating key tasks: identifying overstays, detecting unauthorized vehicles, managing access based on white/blacklists, and providing data analytics for optimization. Combined with cloud platforms or local servers, ANPR helps transition from reactive enforcement to proactive, data-driven operations.

Side-by-Side Comparison of Two Models

Mobile ANPR Camera

Mobile ANPR units are mounted on patrol vehicles or portable tripods. Ideal for street parking enforcement or temporary setups, these solutions scan license plates while in motion and compare them against databases in real time. They're beneficial for large city areas, rotating enforcement zones, or events requiring temporary monitoring. Their flexibility makes them an excellent choice where infrastructure is limited or where enforcement needs to be dynamic.

Fixed ANPR Camera

Fixed units are permanently installed at specific points like entry/exit gates, on-street poles, or overhead gantries. These cameras continuously monitor a single location, ensuring round-the-clock surveillance. They're ideal for high-traffic parking sites, garages, and restricted areas such as fire lanes or EV charging zones. Their advantages include constant operation, integration with access control, and high precision in static coverage zones.

Criteria	Mobile ANPR Camera	Fixed ANPR Camera
Installation Method	Mounted on patrol vehicles or portable tripods	Permanently installed on gates, poles, or overhead structures
Deployment Flexibility	Highly flexible and relocatable	Fixed location with continuous monitoring
Coverage Area	Wide coverage while in motion; ideal for patrolling large zones	Monitors a specific, fixed area
Best Use Cases	Street parking enforcement, event-based enforcement, rotating enforcement zones	Parking lots, garages, entry/exit control, EV charging spots, restricted zones
Infrastructure Requirements	Low - can be used even in areas lacking fixed infrastructure	Requires stable infrastructure (power, mounting location, often network connectivity)
Operational Model	Patrol-based; used intermittently or as needed	Continuous 24/7 operation
Real-time Processing	Real-time scanning while vehicle is in motion	Real-time monitoring of static location
Integration with Platforms	Typically integrated with mobile terminals or backend enforcement platforms	Often connected to access control systems, parking management software, or VMS
Maintenance Requirements	Requires periodic repositioning or calibration	Generally low once installed, but requires initial planning and setup
Ideal for	Dynamic or temporary enforcement needs	Static, high-traffic areas requiring constant surveillance

How AI-powered ANPR Cameras Boost Modern Parking Enforcement Performance

With the rising need for smarter, more efficient parking enforcement, Milesight's AI-powered ANPR cameras stand out as an ideal solution. Designed for high accuracy, fast recognition, and seamless system integration, they enable reliable, real-time monitoring and enforcement across various parking scenarios.

What Can ANPR Cameras Do:

• Intelligent AI-driven ANPR Technology
  • 98% High ANPR Accuracy
  • 0.1s Ultra-fast Recognition Time
  • Deep Learning Al Algorithm
  • Self-training Supported
• Rich Plate Attributes & Vehicle Attributes Recognition
  • Plate Number & Plate Color
  • Vehicle Type, Brand, Color, Speed, and Direction
  • Superior Image Quality
  • 1/1.8'' Sensor & 0.002Lux Starlight
  • Up to 90fps High Frame Rate
  • Up to 4K Ultra High Definition
• Sharp Plate Capturing in Any Environment 
  • Global Shutter for Fast-moving Vehicle Capture
  • Advanced Automatic Illumination Technology
  • 630ft Long Distance ANPR
• Real-time Traffic Events Detection
  • Reverse Driving Detection, No-plate Detection, Red Light Running Detection
  • Vehicle Attributes Event Detection
• High Scalability for Seamless Integration
  • Built with interoperability in mind, Milesight cameras support standard protocols such as ONVIF, CGI, and HTTP/HTTPS APIs, which makes them highly compatible with a wide range of third-party parking management platforms like Zatpark, Plate Recognizer, and other cloud or on-premise systems.
• Comprehensive Car Parking Management
  • Parking Lot Access Control
  • Indoor Parking Guidance
  • Outdoor Parking Occupancy Management

Key Benefits Delivered Through Milesight's ANPR Technology

• Real-Time Violation Response: Enables immediate detection and processing of parking violations, helping enforcement teams act quickly and reduce oversight.

• Labor Efficiency: Minimizes dependence on manual patrols through automated plate recognition and event triggering, allowing teams to cover wider areas with fewer resources.

• High Enforcement Accuracy: Ensures data-driven, consistent enforcement by reducing false readings and improving recognition reliability in complex environments.

• Operational Expense Reduction for Parking Services: Lowers infrastructure and personnel costs for parking private operators by integrating edge AI, remote connectivity, and ticketless workflows.

• Ensure Compliance and Fairness: Promotes fair enforcement by ensuring all vehicles are assessed under the same automated criteria, improving public trust.

• Universal Deployment Flexibility: Supports both on-grid and off-grid setups, ensuring enforcement can be scaled across diverse urban and private settings.

• Actionable Vehicle Intelligence: Provides detailed vehicle attributes (type, speed, brand, color, direction) for better violation classification, pattern analysis, and dispute resolution.

• All-Weather, All-Time Performance: Maintains enforcement effectiveness regardless of lighting or weather conditions, thanks to advanced imaging and illumination technologies.

Unlock Parking Enforcement Efficiency: ANPR Applications & Benefits

On-Street Parking Enforcement

Overtime Parking Detection

Urban streets with time-limited zones often suffer from drivers overstaying. LPR cameras automatically log entry times and flag violations when time limits are exceeded, reducing the need for manual checks and preventing misuse of public spaces.

Detect Illegally Parked Vehicles in No Parking Areas

Some areas, like fire hydrants, bus lanes, or handicapped zones, require strict enforcement. LPR cameras can detect vehicles in restricted zones and trigger alerts or parking charge notices in real-time, ensuring quick response and public safety.

Low Emission Zone (LEZ) Enforcement

Cities worldwide are implementing LEZs to reduce pollution. LPR cameras automatically check plates against emissions databases, identifying non-compliant vehicles. This enables effective environmental regulation without disrupting traffic.

Permit-Based Parking Enforcement

In residential or commercial permit zones, LPR cameras can verify whether a parked vehicle has valid authorization and flag unauthorized vehicles instantly, reducing unauthorized use of designated spots.

Car Park Management

Ticketless Paid Parking

ANPR simplifies payment by eliminating paper tickets. The system tracks entry/exit times and links them to a digital profile or license plate, allowing drivers to pay via mobile apps or online platforms, increasing convenience and reducing fraud.

Vehicle Guidance

By combining real-time occupancy data and ANPR, systems can direct incoming vehicles to available spots, especially in multi-level garages. This minimizes circulation time and improves user experience in parking lots.

Occupancy and Space Utilization Monitoring

Operators can use ANPR data to identify underutilized spaces, peak usage periods, or overstayed vehicles, leading to better planning, pricing strategies, and infrastructure investments.

ANPR Access Control

Facilities like offices or gated communities use ANPR to open gates for authorized vehicles while denying access to blacklisted plates. The process is contactless, fast, and secure, improving traffic flow and safety.

Optimized Operations and Insights

With comprehensive data collected via ANPR, operators gain valuable insights into user behavior, revenue leaks, and enforcement gaps. AI analytics dashboards help tailor strategies and improve service.

Real-World ANPR Parking Enforcement Case Study: Hong Kong, China

Challenge

• No power or network at installation sites
• Need to identity various parking activities:
  • Highly diverse and complex license plate formats
  • Strict accuracy requirement: ≥98% in all lighting and plate positions
  • Need to distinguish and exclude non-Hong Kong plates
  • Ungated, long-range ANPR for parking fee calculation
• Complex logic to coordinate data across multiple entry/exit points

Solution

Scenario 1: Entry/Exit License Plate Recognition for Parking Fee Calculation

4 units of Milesight 4G Solar-powered ANPR Camera were deployed to capture license plates using line-crossing detection. ANPR data was transmitted via API to a third-party parking fee management platform.

Scenario 2: Illegal Parking Detection in Restricted Zones

Another 4 units of Milesight 4G Solar-powered Security Camera were customized with Milesight's PMC algorithm to monitor illegal parking in designated circular zones.

Application Highlights

• Off-grid and Infrastructure-Free Deployment
• Tailored OCR Model for Hong Kong Plate Diversity
• Smart Vehicle Filtering and Multi-Plate Handling
• Long-Range and Barrier-Free Monitoring
• Edge AI and Algorithm Portability

Learn More About This Case >>>>>>>>>>

Conclusion: The Future of ANPR Parking Enforcement

As urban areas grow and demand for efficient space usage increases, parking enforcement must evolve. AI-powered ANPR cameras are not just enforcement tools - they are holistic management solutions that blend automation, analytics, and adaptability. By ensuring optimal use of parking spaces and reducing illegal or prolonged parking, these cameras help alleviate traffic congestion and improve overall urban flow. Whether in a bustling downtown or a quiet private lot, ANPR offers unmatched scalability, precision, and integration, pointing the way toward smarter, fairer, and more sustainable urban mobility.

FAQ

How can the ANPR system manage authorized or banned vehicle lists?

ANPR parking systems can import white and blacklists to automatically allow or deny access. These lists can be updated in real time via cloud platforms or local management software.

Can the Milesight ANPR camera recognize license plates from different countries or regions, including special formats?

Yes. Milesight ANPR cameras support multi-national plate formats, including variations with symbols, colored characters, or stacked layouts, making them suitable for international deployments.

What accuracy can be expected from the Milesight ANPR camera? How does it perform in challenging conditions such as night, rain/snow, or backlight?

Milesight LPR cameras achieve up to 98% recognition accuracy and are equipped with features like Smart IR, WDR (Wide Dynamic Range), and integrated radar, ensuring performance in all weather and lighting conditions.

Does the ANPR system support integration with mainstream parking management systems, payment platforms, value-added services, or VMS?

Yes. Milesight cameras support standardized CGI, HTTP, MQTT, and API protocols, enabling seamless integration with third-party platforms such as VMS, parking apps, and payment gateways.

How does the ANPR system guarantee data privacy and compliance?

Milesight systems adhere to GDPR and other regional data regulations, offering features such as encrypted data transmission, access control, and audit logs to ensure responsible data use.

What are the key components of a parking enforcement solution, and how do they integrate to form a cohesive system?

A complete solution typically includes LPR cameras, a central management system (on-premise or cloud), enforcement software, connectivity (wired/wireless), and optional value-added tools like radar or signage. These components communicate through standardized protocols to deliver unified, automated enforcement.