Theft of vehicles, break-ins, and non-permitted parking are issues mainly associated with parking lots in the city of Los Angeles. For entities dealing with businesses, apartment complexes, shopping hubs, office buildings, and commercial properties, knowing which vehicles entered the property can greatly enhance security. This is where LPR technology can be useful. Unlike regular security cameras, LPR cameras are designed specifically for tracking and recognizing vehicle license plates. If the LPR system is installed correctly, it can help property managers track vehicles, look into incidents, etc. In this blog, we will try to
about LPR cameras for parking lots, and will discuss some of the best brands of these cameras.
What Are LPR Cameras?
License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras are special types of surveillance cameras that perform the task of recognizing license plates and transforming the data collected into searchable information. These systems work using a combination of optical, IR illumination, image processing, and exposure control technologies. Such cameras can produce clear images of plates placed on moving vehicles in the presence of bright light. An ordinary CCTV camera can show the fact of a car entering the parking lot; however, it can still fail to produce a clear image of the license plate. Thanks to the dedicated design, these cameras are able to capture clearer and more precise information on license plates. The LPR systems can be used in various applications with the aim of detecting license plates when cars enter and leave parking lots, at the entrances, loading platforms, apartment garages, and commercial buildings.
LPR Cameras Ideal Parking Lots
Following are the best LPR cameras installed in different parking lots in the city of LOs Angeles.
Axis LPR Cameras
Axis has proven LPR cameras and systems suitable for difficult and demanding vehicle entry applications. Axis license plate recognition technologies offer the ability to improve the user’s capturing results and gather them in one security surveillance system.
Hanwha LPR Cameras
Hanwha makes cameras for license plate recognition that can work in specific venues like entrance doors, gates, yards, and parking lots. While models like XNO-6120R/LPR can work in commercial applications, higher models have added capabilities for deployment in more complicated conditions of vehicle speed and illumination.
Hikvision LPR Cameras
Hikvision has designed its very own ANPR/LPR cameras specifically for certain parking lots and business entrances. Such ANPR/LPR tools allow integrating the license plate recognition feature with other smart video functions. For a parking facility in Los Angeles, it is necessary to choose the appropriate model according to the required capture distance, lane width, vehicle speed, lighting conditions, and compatibility with other already existing equipment of the facility.
Vivotek LPR Solutions
Vivotek produces outdoor license plate capture equipment that is designed for different applications such as vehicle monitoring and access control. It is important to note here that packaged LPR solutions may come in handy when a property needs a dedicated device with no combination of several separate elements. The number of megapixels does not decide the best LPR camera for parking facilities.
Why Use LPR Cameras in Los Angeles Parking Lots?
LPR cameras can offer various advantages for both commercial and residential parking lots. LPR cameras are used to detect cars entering or exiting a parking area, assisting in the investigation process in case of incidents, and producing data on vehicles. Also, LPR technology may be used with the access control system in businesses for parking management and by apartments and gated communities for controlled identification of authorized vehicles. Moreover, stores and commercial parking lots benefit from LPR cameras as well, with enhanced monitoring. Alternatively, in case of Los Angeles locations that have many entrances or vehicular traffic in general, specific parking monitoring cameras with LPR features may be more effective compared to using only traditional cameras.
Tips for Installing LPR Cameras in Parking Lots
The key to successful license plate image recognition is proper installation. An LPR camera can only operate as intended if it is pointed correctly.
- Camera in Vehicle Direction: Wide-angle views must be avoided because they complicate the plate capture process. So it is very important to align the camera in the vehicle direction.
- Camera Mounting Height: The best height may depend on the camera being used and the installation environment, but many professional installations prefer mounting the camera at a low height. According to some recommendations, the optimal height for a single-lane system is between 8 and 10 feet.
- Focus on License Plate: For better results, it is recommended to capture the license plate when the camera is 15 to 30 degrees off the direction of vehicle travel.
- Speed and Distance: Choose the camera and lens based on the vehicle speed. Some cameras are unable to capture moving objects well.
- Secure Installation Place: Outdoor LPR cameras need to be mounted in a secure place.
- Do A Test: Carry out image readings with different car types and speeds in daytime and nighttime conditions.
- Use One Camera Per Lane: If the entrances are wider with multiple lanes, it is recommended to use several cameras for each lane.
- Consider Nighttime Conditions: The presence of headlights, reflective surfaces, and darkness will make plate recognition more complicated.
Why Choose FDS for LPR Camera Installation in Los Angeles?
The importance of selecting the right LPR camera installation company in Los Angeles is similar to choosing the camera itself. The FDS Security camera team assists businesses and property owners with identifying the proper locations of cameras, selecting LPR camera models, configuring the recording equipment, and placing cameras in the proper position for maximum license plate capturing efficiency. A professional designer can create a system that intergate LPR cameras, CCTV cameras, NVR recording, remote monitoring, and access control as a more advanced security solution. In any facility, whether it is a retail parking lot, apartment community, office facility, warehouse, or distribution center, the right planning may reduce the number of blind spots and improve the monitoring of vehicles.
Final Thoughts
LPR cameras are the ideal cameras to capture video footage of all the vehicles going in or coming out of the parking lots in Los Angeles; it’s essential to take into consideration factors such as the speed of moving vehicles, the dimensions of entrances, lighting, shooting distance, the client’s requirements, etc. The companies that offer professional solutions include Axis, Hanwha, Hikvision, and Vivotek. However, using the appropriate camera and making a proper installation play a vital role in effective performance, and that is why we recommend that every parking owner use FDS Security camera services in Los Angeles.