Latest news with #AutomaticNumberPlateRecognition

South Wales Argus
7 hours ago
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Severn Bridge weight limit sign confusion agency error
The clarification came after a haulier pointed out that the Agency had caused confusion on the Severn Bridge by leaving an old 44-tonne weight restriction sign on the slip road of the bridge. Frustrated trucker Ray Bashman said: 'Truckers call them (the National Highways Agency) wombles, because all they ever seem to do is pick stuff up that people have left behind. They don't really seem to do anything else. This time they couldn't even pick up their own stuff!' The National Highways Agency responded by saying it is working hard to clear up any confusion over weight limits on the Severn Bridge. The ageing bridge saw a weight restriction of 7.5 tonnes introduced on Tuesday, May 27. Truck drivers complained that the 44-tonne weight limit sign on the slip road of Junction two had not been covered up or replaced on the Welsh side of the bridge. It has also been alleged that continental trucks would not show up on the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera, which is used to enforce the weight limit. Unlike UK trucks, continental lorries have separate systems for registering trucks and trailers and these will 'trip the ANPR system.' Angered trucker Ray Bashman told the South Wales Argus: 'British drivers must do long detours across to Gloucester or over the Prince of Wales Bridge. This can add hundreds of miles to journeys and endless hours, often in gridlock. 'They (foreign truckers) already benefit from cheap Russian diesel and we find it difficult to compete with those prices. Competing with cheap fuel is bad enough, having to add extra driving hours to our time when they can go freely over the bridge is just ridiculous. This must be cleared up!' A National Highways Agency spokesman said: 'Recent high winds and heavy rain did mean a few signs were blown down and we weren't able to paint over all the necessary signage. But that is being rectified as quickly as possible. 'The numbers of vehicles breaching the ban is small and police are in the area to advise drivers of the new weight restrictions which only came into force yesterday.' The Agency clarified that there are a couple of outstanding signs, but these will be updated tonight, Wednesday, May 28, under a lane closure.


The Hindu
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
TGiCCC and IMD join forces to bolster monsoon preparedness in Hyderabad
In a move to enhance the city's monsoon preparedness and integrate meteorological intelligence into the city's emergency management ecosystem, a coordination meeting was held at the Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGiCCC), here on Thursday. The session was chaired by TGiCCC Director and former IPS officer V.B. Kamalasan Reddy and brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The focus of the meeting was to integrate meteorological intelligence into the city's emergency management ecosystem. Discussions were held on syncing IMD data with systems already in place at TGiCCC, such as the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), Public Addressing Systems, and Variable Message Display Boards. Head of the IMD Hyderabad centre K. Nagaratna and her team presented an in-depth overview of the department's forecasting systems. She detailed the various forecasting models, from nowcast to long-range predictions, and pushed the use of cutting-edge tools such as Doppler weather radar imaging, satellite data, numerical weather models, and GIS-based special imaging. A technical review of the surveillance infrastructure, especially the types and specifications of cameras in use, was also conducted, aimed at ensuring full operational efficiency during heavy rains. The panel revisited rainfall patterns over the last 10 years and examined trends linked to both extreme precipitation events and temperature fluctuations, including cold and heat waves. The need for timely dissemination of alerts via multiple channels, notably the SACHET mobile application, was strongly emphasised to keep both officials and the public informed. The meeting concluded with a call for a multi-departmental, tech-enabled response plan backed by robust meteorological data that is critical to navigating the challenges of the monsoon season in Hyderabad.


Hans India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
RTA database to be integrated with TGICCC for automating challan generation
Hyderabad: With an aim to enhance real-time data accessibility for traffic enforcement, the Road Transport Authority (RTA) database will be integrated with the Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGICCC) system. This integration will enable the automatic retrieval and display of crucial vehicle-related details, such as Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate validity, insurance status, and registration information, directly within the existing TGICCC system at the time of challan generation. On Wednesday, a significant coordination meeting was held at the Telangana Integrated Command and Control Centre (TGICCC). It was convened by VB Kamalasan Reddy, Director, TGICCC, with Surendra Mohan, Transport Commissioner. The primary objective of the discussions was to integrate the RTA database with the TGICCC system. This real-time data synchronisation is expected to streamline enforcement workflows, significantly reduce manual verification efforts, and ensure that all challans are issued based on up-to-date and authenticated information from the RTA database. The Commissioner, Transport, assured the deputation of a dedicated team to facilitate the implementation of this proposed automated challan system. Further discussions at the meeting focused on the effective enforcement of key features under the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS). These included the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) System, Public Addressing System (PAS), and Variable Message Display Boards (VMBs). A review of the types and technical specifications, including video analytics capabilities, of the cameras currently utilised by TGICCC was also conducted. The meeting concluded with a decisive action plan – the deputation of a dedicated technical team. This team will be tasked with assessing the feasibility of integrating the RTA system with the existing infrastructure of the TGICCC. Their evaluation will encompass system compatibility, data exchange protocols, and all necessary technical requirements to ensure a seamless and effective integration. The meeting saw the participation of Joint Transport Commissioners, Shiva Lingaiah, and Chandra Shekhar Goud along with other RTA Officials and technology experts.


Powys County Times
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Car park cameras plan for former NRW visitor centre
Car parking cameras could be installed at the now-closed Bwlch Nant yr Arian visitor centre under plans lodged this month. The Bwlch Nant Yr Arian Visitor Centre, near Ponterwyd between Aberystwyth and Llanidloes, closed at the end of March along with other Natural Resources Wales-run centres at Ynyslas and Coed y Brenin. At the time, Elsie Grace, NRW's Head of Sustainable Commercial Development, said: 'We understand how important our sites are to local communities and visitors and we know the decision to stop providing catering and retail services is disappointing to many people. 'Our board made the decision in response to the extremely tight funding situation we and other public bodies face. 'We will look for partners, both community groups and businesses, to register an interest in providing these services moving forward and will provide more information on how to submit expressions of interest ahead of the launch of any tender exercise. 'In the meantime, all our paths, trails, car park, play area and toilet facilities will remain open and we will continue to maintain our sites to ensure public access continues.' An application has now been submitted to Ceredigion County Council by NRW to install Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at Bwlch Nant yr Arian. A supporting statement says: 'There is already a pay and display machine at the car park, and it is intended that the ANPR will replace this. "The camera will be mounted on a pole, which is 4m above ground and finished in galvanised steel. Power will be taken from the existing Pay and Display machine.' The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.


Irish Independent
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Independent
Auto advice: What happens when motor-tax discs are scrapped?
The Government has confirmed plans to remove the legal requirement to display a paper tax disc on your windscreen. While you'll still need to pay your motor tax, you won't have to show physical proof of it on your vehicle once the new system comes into force. So, why now? An Garda Síochána already uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to check whether a car is taxed in real time through a national digital database. With that system already in place, the paper disc has become unnecessary. Beyond convenience, there are practical benefits too. Removing the paper disc will save on printing and postage costs, reduce fraud and cut down on waste – this is good news for both the taxpayer and the planet. What do I need to do now? Do I need to change anything? For the time being, absolutely nothing changes. You must continue paying your motor tax, and the disc should remain clearly displayed on your windscreen until the new law is fully implemented and there's no official date yet. There will be plenty of notice before any changes come into effect. What can Ireland learn from other countries that have done the same? In the UK, paper tax discs were abolished in 2014. The change may have saved up to £10 million each year, in admin costs, but it wasn't without its bumps. In the first year after the change, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) reported a fall of £93 million in vehicle tax revenue compared to the previous year. Sweden offers a more positive example. They removed tax discs in 2010, and thanks to strong digital systems and automatic fines, compliance remained steady. Cyprus, too, has embraced a fully digital model with similar success. Clearly, a smooth transition depends on a reliable, up-to-date database and clear communication with the public. Without a disc in view, it's easy to forget that your tax is due — so digital reminders, awareness campaigns, and easy access to online services will be essential. Top tip While there's no change planned for insurance or NCT discs, it's possible that these could go digital in future as part of a wider move towards a simpler, paperless motoring system.