The Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) for vehicle use can take many forms but has to give the vehicle crew access to their core computer application, the same as they have from a desk top computer. Automatic Number Plate recognition (ANPR) is not an application required on a desk top computer; therefore why incorporate it into an MDT?

But ANPR is as equally productive in a mobile environment as an MDT; therefore both systems, which would normally monopolise a dashboard, must be integrated in the limited space of a roads policing vehicle. Not to put too fine a point on it there is just not enough room for both devices.

Until recently this problem has gone, in the main, unsolved. So with £50million made available by the Home Office this year for MDTs the challenge was given a much higher profile; how could a police force make use of this budget without losing existing and invaluable ANPR functionality in their vehicles?

The QRO team have been working with Leicestershire Police, who utilise a (Panasonic) Toughbook laptop computer supplied by Tempus as their MDT device. The outcome of their cooperative effort was the addition of an ANPR function to the basic MDT for use in a vehicle. This major achievement uses video streaming for ANPR purposes fed directly through the MDT’s LAN port.

The QRO system is capable of ANPR capture across 2 lanes of traffic with various types of camera. The recognition performance of the system has exceeded other methods of video capture used in mobile ANPR systems, and in addition QRO are nearing completion of the next development phase that will see digital video recording available on the MDT.

Ps Gary Haines of Leicestershire Police told ANPR News “The total system integration into a portable single screened system provides maximum flexibility, ease of use and efficient operation for the officers. The final piece in the puzzle is the incorporation of Digital Recording, concluding a cost effective, versatile policing tool.”

The QRO team have been delighted with the success of this project and are working to enable other forces across the country to benefit from the development work in similar ways.

If you would like to explore the possibilities that this work can offer please contact the QRO team on email vic.way@qrosolutions.co.uk or call the office on +44 (0) 1604 781 890.