The Variable Reflective Properties of UK Number Plates and Impact on ANPR

Abstract

This paper considers fitness for purpose of revised and existing Legislation and British Standard for retroreflective number plates. The paper considers the basic purpose of registration plates and how such variability and legal interpretation interpreted under commercial pressure for sales, market share and product differentiation by both private and public sector. The variable reflectivity of UK registration plates increases the probability of a fail to capture for ANPR systems.