Smart Cameras Blog

From the BBC:

A story on how Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) was used to track a suspected getaway car. In this case the ANPR was linked to a network of CCTV cameras that allowed the police to see the car. Its not clear is this was done in real time or with captured footage, but it is the natural progression of these types of smart camera systems. The story quotes a police chief that argues that these smart camera systems are the best investigative tool since DNA analysis. This means the cameras can and should be used (according to the chief) for:

“Denying criminals use of the roads denies access to the primary means of transport for a whole raft of criminal activity.

“It includes the transportation of drugs, stolen property and articles for use in crime, as well as transport for offenders to and from the scenes of crimes such as robberies and burglaries.

“The bottom line is that if a stolen vehicle comes into or out of Bradford city centre we will know about it.”

rshah ALPR

From InformationWeek and Government IT

A combination of video surveillance and road sensors is being used to monitor and manage traffic. This is part of larger project, I-580 Smart Corridor, which aims to use IT to improve traffic. An example of what the system can do:

Information generated by the sensors and cameras will feed into Naztec Inc.’s Streetwise software, which runs on a central computer at the Dublin Traffic Operations Center. Engineers will use the data to make quick traffic-management decisions. If there’s an accident or congestion, for example, they can analyze the problem on the fly and change the timing of traffic lights to alter traffic patterns. The data also can be archived for future analysis.

rshah Traffic Congestion