A key issue for the successful operation of a UK motorway tolling system is the enforcement of payment. The first stage of this enforcement process requires identification of violators. At present, it is anticipated that this will be undertaken by visible identification of violator vehicles and the tracing of the person responsible through the vehicle registration mark. This report surveys vehicle registration marks and summarises some of the legal issues surrounding the capture and transmission of video images for enforcement purposes. The performance of a number of commercially available automatic numberplate reading systems is then examined and their role in the enforcement process discussed. An alternative method of numberplate identification based on an `Electronic Licence Plate' is also discussed. (A) (This report is also included on the TRL CD-ROM entitled "Research on road user charging 1995-1998"). For the covering abstract see IRRD 491340 or C 12559 CD-ROM.
Samenvatting