Licence plate recognition (LPR) cameras
For parkades, gated yards, dealerships, fleet depots and commercial lots in Alberta and BC.
Updated
The quick answer
A licence plate recognition (LPR) camera reads the plate of each vehicle that drives past it and turns it into text. The system checks the plate against your lists: a resident, staff or fleet vehicle can open the gate or parkade door on its own, and an unknown or flagged plate stays at the gate and can send an alert to staff. Every read is saved with a picture and the time, so you can search for a plate later. LPR needs a camera made for the job, aimed at one lane and set up for the angle, speed and lighting, plus a clear policy for how long plate reads are kept.
Where plate recognition fits
| Site | What it usually does |
|---|---|
| Parkades in apartment, condo and office buildings | Residents’ and tenants’ cars open the gate without a fob or remote, visitors get a time-limited plate pass, and every entry and exit is logged. See parkade cameras. |
| Industrial yards and gated sites | Staff and fleet plates open the gate, trucks and visitors stop at the intercom, and an unknown plate after hours raises an alert. See yard gate access. |
| Dealerships and service lanes | A plate read at the service lane lets staff know a customer has arrived, and lot cameras log vehicles coming and going after closing. See automotive security. |
| Fleet depots and public works yards | A record of which vehicles left and came back, and when, without anyone writing it down. |
| Commercial lots and plazas | A searchable log of vehicles after hours, so a plate can be found quickly after an incident. |
How it works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Capture | A dedicated camera with infrared lighting and a fast shutter takes a sharp picture of the plate, day or night. |
| Read | Software turns the plate into text, either on the camera itself or on the recorder or server. |
| Check | The plate is compared with your lists: allowed vehicles, visitors with a time limit, and plates you want to be told about. |
| Act | The system opens the gate through your access control, sends an alert to staff, or simply logs the read. |
| Search | Each read is saved with a picture, the time and the lane, so you can search by full or partial plate. |
Getting reliable reads
What helps
- One lane per camera, with vehicles slowing down for a gate or barrier
- The camera at the right height and angle for the plate, not just the vehicle
- Infrared lighting tuned for plates, so headlights don’t wash them out
- A short, straight approach where vehicles line up with the camera
What gets in the way
- Snow, slush and road salt on plates through Alberta and BC winters
- Bike racks, hitches and dirty plates on trucks and trailers
- Wide entrances where vehicles drive in at an angle
- Cameras placed for a wide view instead of the plate
Keep a backup way in, such as a fob, a remote or the intercom, for the times a plate can’t be read.
Plate recognition brands we install
| Brand | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Genetec | AutoVu plate recognition, part of Security Center alongside Omnicast video and Synergis access control. |
| Avigilon | Plate recognition in its video software, with cameras set up to read plates at gates and entrances. |
| Axis | Plate recognition apps that run on many Axis cameras, such as AXIS License Plate Verifier for gates and barriers. |
| Ubiquiti UniFi | The UniFi AI LPR camera, made for reading plates and recording to UniFi Protect. |
| Hanwha Vision | Wisenet licence plate cameras for gates, parkade ramps and service lanes. |
Features differ by model and software version. We confirm what each camera reads and how it connects to your gate during design, and we usually suggest the brand that works with the cameras and software you already have.
Privacy and how long plates are kept
A plate that can be linked to a person is personal information under Alberta’s and BC’s privacy laws for businesses (both called PIPA). Write down why you’re reading plates, post signs at the entrance, keep reads only as long as you need them, limit who can search them, and don’t share your lists without a reason.
For more, read our Alberta camera privacy guide and our guide for BC strata buildings.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Connecting it to your gate and cameras
On its own, LPR logs plates. To open a gate it connects to your access control or to the gate operator, which is usually supplied and serviced by a gate company; we connect to it and test it with them. An overview camera beside the plate camera shows the whole vehicle and the driver’s side.
After hours, remote video monitoring through our monitoring partner can watch the gate and lot with the plate reads alongside the video. You get admin access and full documentation on every project.
Want gates that know your vehicles?
We’ll look at each lane, the gate and the lighting, and tell you where plate recognition will read well.
Related: parkade camerasindustrial yard gate accessautomotive securitysecurity camerasthermal cameras
Stuck with a system nobody will fix?
We repair and take over cameras, access control, intercoms and alarms installed by other companies, when your current provider has fallen short.
Help: Export Avigilon video
Guides: Thermal security cameras
Licence plate recognition questions
What is licence plate recognition?
A camera and software that read vehicle plates, turn them into text and check them against your lists, to open a gate, send an alert or simply log the vehicle.
Can LPR open our parkade or yard gate?
Yes, when it’s connected to your access control or the gate operator. Known plates open the gate, and other vehicles stop at the intercom or keypad.
Does plate recognition work at night and in winter?
LPR cameras use infrared lighting, so they read at night. Snow, slush and road salt on a plate can stop a read, so we always keep a fob, remote or intercom as a backup.
Can a regular security camera read plates?
Usually not reliably. Plates need a camera aimed at one lane with the right zoom, angle and shutter speed. A wide camera shows the vehicle, but the plate is often a blur at night.
Can we get an alert when a certain plate shows up?
Yes. Most LPR systems let you keep a list of plates and alert staff by app or email when one is read.
Can visitors and trades get temporary access?
Many systems let you add a plate for a set time, for example a trade working in the parkade for a week or a guest staying the weekend.
How long should we keep plate reads?
Only as long as you need them for the reason you collect them, set in a written policy. Plates linked to people are personal information under Alberta and BC privacy law. Not legal advice.
Which brands do you install for plate recognition?
Genetec AutoVu, Avigilon, Axis, Ubiquiti UniFi and Hanwha Vision. We usually suggest the one that works with the cameras and software you already have.
Can the gate be watched after hours?
Yes. Remote video monitoring through our monitoring partner can watch the gate and lot, with plate reads alongside the video.
More answers: Security camera questionsGlossary: NVRvideo analytics
Get a plate recognition quote
Tell us about the gate or entrance, the number of lanes and what should happen when a plate is read. We’ll follow up to book a site walk.
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