LPR Decoded: What to Look for in Your License Plate Recognition Vendor

Fifty years ago, if someone said they were looking for a “license plate recognition vendor”, their sanity would definitely be questioned. License plate recognition, also referred to as LPR, technology has come a long way from its beginnings in the UK in 1976 to becoming an established technology with a global market size accounted for USD 3.79 billion in 2024, and is expected to be worth around USD 9.27 billion by 2034 (Precedence Research, 2024). So, what exactly is License Plate Recognition (LPR)? How can organizations find the best license plate recognition vendor? Why is LPR technology important? Let’s know and “understand” this from the following lines.

What is License Plate Recognition (LPR)?

License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology core is about capturing photographic images or video of license plates and instantly converting this optical data into digital information. This technology can be considered a specialized form of optical character recognition (OCR), but is specifically designed for the unique challenges of reading vehicle license plates (differentiating between letters and numbers, reading different languages, dealing with lighting conditions, being able to capture plates while the vehicle is moving, etc.).

LPR technology works by using a “dream duo” of surveillance cameras paired with a sophisticated license plate recognition system (such as AvidAuto) that uses advanced algorithms to interpret characters and instantly identify the vehicle. While it may seem instantaneous to users, the process actually involves several complex steps that occur in milliseconds.

Also you can learn more about: License Plate Reader

How License Plate Recognition (LPR) Works: Science Behind Scan

What makes modern license plate recognition (LPR) systems particularly impressive is their use of artificial intelligence and neural networks. LPR systems (like AvidAuto) literally “learn” from experience: the more plates they scan, the more accurate they become. This adaptive learning capability pushes recognition rates with more than 98% accuracy, something that would be impossible with traditional programming alone. The magic of LPR happens in 4 distinct phases, all occurring in less than 20 milliseconds:

1. Localization: The system first identifies where exactly the license plate is within the captured image, filtering out unnecessary background data to focus solely on the plate.
2. Segmentation: Once the plate is located, the technology isolates each individual character zone to prepare for analysis.
3. Identification: This is where the character recognition happens; the system reads each segmented character.
4. Regionalization: This final step applies regional syntax rules to differentiate between ambiguous characters (like the number “0” versus the letter “O”), ensuring accurate readings.

Evolution of License Plate Recognition Systems

What began as a clunky, expensive system has transformed into highly accessible, efficient technology. According to the US Bureau of Justice Statistics, 93% of police departments in cities with populations over one million now utilize license plate recognition (LPR) systems (American Police Beat, 2023) – a testament to the technology’s growth and effectiveness.

Modern LPR cameras capture clear images of vehicles moving at high speeds, often contending with challenging conditions like headlight glare, variable lighting, and angular distortion. And LPR systems need to process these images instantaneously while maintaining exceptional accuracy.

AvidBeam‘s AvidAuto system exemplifies this evolution, delivering extraordinary recognition rates exceeding +92% for English and +98% for Arabic license plates. This level of performance transforms what was once futuristic into everyday reality.

Applications of License Plate Recognition (LPR) Systems

License Plate Recognition is a technology that uses cameras and advanced video analysis systems. It:

• Takes a picture of the vehicle (or view it on video).
• Automatically reads the license plate number from the image.
• Stores the information (plate number, time, location, and vehicle color in some systems).

Technology like this can be used in several fields and real-world applications, such as:

Enhanced Security and Law Enforcement

The majority of Police forces worldwide now employ LPR through fixed control points and mobile units to instantly identify stolen vehicles, uninsured drivers, or wanted individuals. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that LPR has become standard equipment for law enforcement in major cities, providing officers with critical information in real-time.

Case Study (OJP): A rural sheriff’s office testing mobile LPR received a domestic violence call with suspect vehicle details. En route, deputies manually entered the plate – the system instantly flagged the passing suspect vehicle on dark rural roads, enabling rapid apprehension. LPR proved critical for identifying fleeing suspects in low-visibility conditions.

Parking Management

Perhaps nowhere is LPR’s impact more noticeable than in parking facilities. The technology has fundamentally transformed how parking operators manage their facilities:

• Ticketless parking (no more paper tickets or waiting at barriers). Vehicles simply drive in and out while the system handles identification and payment automatically.
• Improved traffic flow without the need to stop at entry/exit points, traffic congestion is significantly reduced.
• Parking facilities can maintain comprehensive records of every vehicle that enters and exits the premises.
• Drivers enjoy a frictionless experience without the hassle of keeping track of tickets or stopping at payment stations.

Access Control

Gated communities, corporate campuses, and government facilities have embraced LPR to manage access control with unprecedented efficiency. AvidBeam‘s AvidAuto system, for example, allows for sophisticated vehicle tracking including:

• Automatic resident/staff access versus visitor identification.
• Advanced security watchlists (allow/deny lists).
• Movement pattern analysis for specific vehicles.
• Access density reporting showing peak usage times.

Smart Cities

Urban planners are increasingly turning to LPR data to:

• Understand traffic patterns.
• Develop better infrastructure.
• Create more efficient transportation systems.

This data-driven approach helps cities reduce congestion, plan road improvements, and make strategic decisions about public transportation.

Also you can learn more about: License Plate Scanners

How to Choose a License Plate Recognition Vendor

When selecting a license plate recognition vendor, several critical factors should guide your decision:

• First, assess the accuracy rates of their recognition technology – look for LPR systems demonstrating at least 90% accuracy under various conditions (AvidAuto accuracy reaches +98%).
• Consider the hardware flexibility, as superior vendors like AvidBeam offer camera-agnostic solutions that work with various resolutions from 2MP up to 4K.
• Evaluate deployment options – the best vendors provide flexible installation methods including edge processing, data center processing, and hybrid approaches to match your infrastructure.
• Integration capabilities are equally important; the system should seamlessly connect with your existing security infrastructure.
• Examine the analytics features offered, as comprehensive dashboards with customizable widgets and query tools provide greater operational value.
• Finally, consider scalability – as your organization grows, your LPR system should easily accommodate additional cameras and locations without requiring complete overhauls.

The right license plate recognition vendor will offer a partnership that supports your evolving security and operational needs, and not just technology.

AvidAuto: Next-Generation Traffic Video Analytics Solution From AvidBeam

AvidAuto stands as AvidBeam‘s intelligent vehicle-flow analytics solution, designed to transform raw data into meaningful visual information.

Key Features of AvidAuto

• License Plate Recognition (LPR) – Detects and reads Arabic/English plates with over 98%/92% accuracy.
• Vehicle Access Control – Manages allow/deny lists for known (residents/staff) vs. unknown vehicles.
• Access Density Analysis – Tracks entry volumes by time-of-day to forecast rush hours.
• Advanced Search Capabilities – Locate vehicles by plate number, color, make, or model.
• Movement Tracking – Follow specific vehicles across multiple lanes or gates.
• Graphical Data Representation – Visual dashboards for easy interpretation of traffic patterns.
• What sets AvidAuto apart is its versatility – It can identify vehicles by license plate, color, make, and model, while providing customizable dashboards with comprehensive statistics.

The solution is built on AvidBeam‘s scalable ATUN platform, supporting various deployment options including edge processing, data center processing, or hybrid configurations, making it adaptable to different infrastructure requirements.

AvidBeam’s AvidAuto Solution and Case Studies

With over a decade of industry experience, AvidBeam has established itself as a leader in video analytics and license plate recognition technology. One of their flagship products, AvidAuto, has been deployed in various high-profile projects across the Middle East. These case studies highlight AvidBeam‘s ability to customize its solution for varying scales:

1. AvidBeam transformed parking management for a massive 18,000-slot facility in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, through their advanced video analytics solutions.
2. AvidBeam further proved its security capabilities at the prestigious King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center in Saudi Arabia, where it boosted both security measures and operational efficiency.
3. AvidBeam‘s comprehensive approach to security is also evident in their work at New Alamein City, Egypt, where they integrated license plate recognition with face recognition and anomaly detection systems to create a multi-layered security environment.
4. AvidBeam successfully deployed vehicle flow monitoring solutions at Madinaty, a planned community in Egypt housing approximately 600,000 residents.

Future of License Plate Recognition Technology

As artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to advance, LPR technology will only become more powerful. We can expect to see:

• Higher accuracy rates approaching 100%, even in challenging conditions.
• Greater integration with other smart city technologies and IoT platforms.
• Enhanced privacy protections through improved data handling protocols.

Also you can learn more about: License Plate Capture

Takeaways

• License plate recognition has evolved from a specialized technology to an essential tool for modern vehicle management and security.
• LPR tech is playing an increasingly important role in building smarter, safer, and more efficient transportation ecosystems.
• The license plate recognition system market size is expected to be worth around USD 9.27 billion by 2034.
• Systems like AvidBeam‘s AvidAuto continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
• For businesses and organizations looking to implement LPR technology, the key is selecting a solution that combines high accuracy, scalability, and ease of integration, like AvidAuto, and choosing a reliable license plate recognition vendor, like AvidBeam.