Why does the reading fail?
The most common causes of failure are a sharp angle, an unsuitable mounting height, glare from headlights, vehicle speed, or trying to cover more than one lane with a camera that does not fit the scene. The capture point has to be designed before the model is chosen — not the other way around.
What do we review on site?
We map every lane: the barrier position, the direction of travel, the approach speed, the distance, the night-time lighting, and where the network and power will be run. Only then do we settle the focal length, shutter speed and WDR or infrared capabilities.
The points that decide whether a plate is read reliably:
The essentials at the capture point
- A camera per lane where the layout calls for it
- An angle as close to head-on as the site allows
- Testing by day and by night, not just in daylight
- Storing the plate together with the time of the event
Linking to other systems
Licence-plate reading (LPR) can be tied to an entry gate, a visitor log, or an alert. But the decision to open automatically needs a permissions policy and a safe failure scenario — installing the camera alone is not enough.
Frequently asked questions
Does any 8MP camera read plates?
Not necessarily. Plate reading needs a scene, settings and capabilities suited to the vehicle speed and the lighting.
Do I need a camera for every lane?
It depends on the lane width, the angle and the speed — but a dedicated camera per lane is usually the more accurate choice.
Official sources
Ministry of Interior — CCTV requirements document. Always check the latest published version before relying on any figure here.