ANPR Parking System: How It Works
An ANPR parking system (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) uses cameras and software to read vehicle number plates at entry and exit, then decides whether to open a barrier, start a parking session or simply log the vehicle. GMWEB runs the recognition on software and standard IP cameras that support the ONVIF open standard, so existing cameras can often be reused. This page explains how it works, what you need on site and what drives the cost.
Planning a car park? Request a site audit. We check your cameras, lanes and systems before quoting.
How it works
The whole cycle takes place as the vehicle approaches. Recognition runs on site, so it does not depend on an internet connection. In our September 2026 test the deployed setting confirmed 24 of 24 plates in a two-camera setup, with a median of 0.6 s from the vehicle appearing to confirmation.
1. A camera reads the plate
When a vehicle reaches the lane, an IP camera with a clear view of the plate captures the number.
2. The software checks the plate
The recognition software turns the image into a plate number and compares it with the rules for that site: a whitelist, a booking or a parking rate.
3. The barrier opens or a session starts
If a barrier is connected, it opens for authorised vehicles. Otherwise the system starts or ends a parking session and logs the event.
4. The event is recorded
Entry, exit and duration appear in the operator panel, so occupancy and activity can be reviewed in one place.
What we measured
The figures below come from our own tests in September 2026, not from a manufacturer datasheet. They were measured on two Android phones (a Google Pixel 10 and a Xiaomi 12X) with two 1080p IP cameras at 20 fps.
| Measurement | Result |
|---|---|
| Plate confirmation, two-camera test (16 clips, 24 plates) | 24 of 24 plates, 0 false reads, median 0.6 s |
| Plate detection per frame | 38-57 ms |
| OCR of a plate crop | 15-20 ms |
| One camera | 24-26 frames per second |
| Two 1080p cameras at once | about 8 frames per second in total |
| First frame after an RTSP connection | 0.4-1.2 s |
| Stream buffer | 0.42-0.70 s |
Hardware. The system runs on ordinary IP cameras that support ONVIF and RTSP. Our tests used Tapo and Hikvision cameras at 1080p and 20 fps. No dedicated ANPR cameras are needed, and one Android phone handled two cameras, one for entry and one for exit.
Camera position matters more than zoom. Keep the plate at least about 30 px high in the frame. At that size the reads are reliable; below it they become unreliable. Framing and a clear view of the lane are therefore the first thing to get right.
Rain and night. A plate was confirmed in rain at 02:37, and two more at night, at 04:05 and 04:36.
Direction of travel. 5% of tracks were classified as "stopped", and only for vehicles that were genuinely stationary. 49 of 56 camera pairs produced a consistent pattern, with the first camera seeing an approaching vehicle and the second seeing it leave.
Stream stability. The cameras reset their timestamps a few times a day. The software detects a stalled stream after 15 s without progress and reconnects automatically, and it ran stably through an hour of continuous work.
What you need on site
- IP cameras with an unobstructed view of the plate, supporting the ONVIF standard.
- A network connection to carry the camera stream, usually with PoE for power.
- A barrier, optionally, if you want access controlled automatically.
- A local edge box or computer, only if the site needs one to run the recognition software.
Which of these you already have changes both the work and the cost. The audit is where we confirm it.
What it costs
There is no fixed price, because the number of lanes, the state of the cameras, the barrier and the integrations all vary. GMWEB works on a monthly subscription, with hardware quoted separately. The plans are the same everywhere: mobile, Start and Business.
Mobile
Smallest car parks and single-lane sites.
Start
Small car parks; scope set out in the quote.
Business
Larger sites and additional integrations.
All prices are net (excluding VAT). In Poland the same plans are 500 / 1,500 / 2,200 PLN per month. Deployment, including the installation, cameras and barrier, is quoted individually after a site audit, because it depends on the site.
See what drives ANPR costTypical deployments
Hotels
Recognise guest vehicles and link the stay to the room booking. Barrier optional.
Residential communities
Let residents in without remotes or tags, and manage visitors and deliveries.
Offices
Separate staff, visitors and contractors and keep a record of who entered.
Shopping centres
Combine entry and exit records with parking rates or validation.
Number plate data and GDPR
A number plate is personal data, because it can identify a person. Under GDPR the operator needs a lawful basis for processing, a defined retention period and a way for people to exercise their rights. GMWEB processes plate data locally on site and helps customers prepare the required documentation, including the record of processing and the information clause. This is a description of the legal requirements, not a substitute for legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the plate recognition?
Our figures come from our own September 2026 two-camera test, not from a vendor datasheet. In that test the deployed setting confirmed 24 of 24 plates with zero false reads, with a median of 0.6 s from the vehicle appearing to confirmation. The test used 16 clips and 24 plates from an entry and an exit camera working together; a plate counted as correct only when both cameras agreed. That is a small sample, so we present it as a test result, not an accuracy percentage.
Does an ANPR parking system work on standard IP cameras?
Yes. Our system runs on IP cameras that support the ONVIF open standard, so it is not limited to dedicated ANPR cameras. Existing IP cameras can often be reused if they are ONVIF-compatible and positioned to give a clear view of the plate. Where they cannot read plates reliably, we recommend replacing only the cameras that need it.
Do I need a barrier for an ANPR parking system?
No. A barrier is optional. With a barrier, the system opens it automatically for authorised plates. Without one, it works in detection-and-logging mode, which is common at hotel and private car parks where the goal is to identify vehicles rather than to control access.
How long does deployment take?
It depends on the site and on how ready the cameras and network are. A single lane with existing ONVIF cameras is a small job. A multi-lane site with a new barrier and system integrations takes longer. We confirm the schedule after a site audit, not before.
What does the system need on site?
IP cameras with an unobstructed view of the plate, a network connection, and power for the cameras. A local edge box or computer is added only if the site needs one. A barrier is optional. The audit confirms exactly which parts your site already has.
What happens to number plate data?
A number plate identifies a person, so it is personal data under GDPR. Our system processes it locally on site rather than in a foreign cloud, and retention is configurable by the operator. We help customers put the required legal documentation in place. The GDPR section below explains the legal background.
Explore the full ANPR ecosystem
Guides for every part of ANPR parking, from camera selection to use-case implementations.
ONVIF IP Camera Guide
Why the ONVIF standard matters, compatible cameras and RTSP setup.
Read guideANPR System Cost
The factors behind a quote and how to compare total cost of ownership.
See pricingLPR Software Comparison
Software-based plate recognition compared with dedicated hardware.
CompareANPR for Hotels
Guest recognition, check-in links and overstay handling.
Hotel use caseANPR for Residential
Residents, visitors and deliveries without remotes or tags.
Residential use caseANPR for Shopping Centers
Entry and exit records combined with rates and validation.
Retail use caseTicketless Parking
No ticket or pay station: fees by licence plate and online payment.
How it worksRequest a site audit
Send your car park layout, number of lanes and existing cameras. We will confirm what your site needs and prepare an itemized quote.
Request a quote