Brilliant Yellow vs. Numberplates

[cyberface]

Just had a thought after looking at a photo of my car. The Brilliant Yellow, which is a bright metallic yellow colour used on the VXT and the Elise / Exige S2 (IIRC) looks rather similar to the reflective yellow of the rear numberplate.

Now the software in SPECS average-speed camera zones presumably looks for a characteristic rectangular plate of certain colour... there must be some leeway in it because I also have an MG ZT which has a curved non-rectangular rear plate - but given that neither car has yet got caught (touch wood) - including my girlfriend getting flashed in Tunbridge Wells in the MG, would a bright yellow paint identical to the reflective numberplate colour confuse the software?

I'm guessing yes, optical recognition is tricky to program and unless they're using a different part of the spectrum (e.g. all numberplates must reflect non-visible light (e.g. infrared / ultraviolet) differently to normal paint) then a bright yellow car must cause the system some trouble, no?

Also since yellow is only 2 in the snooker game then they're also low on the police's priority.

What do you think?

[miro]

if its true then they had best change number plates to orange

[Gooby]

I think the recognition algorthym looks for the text in the numberplate.

[Phil-CH]

What algorithm? The speedcameras that are used overhere, simply take a picture of the car that is speeding which is then processed manually. I haven't heard of scameras that get the number plate fully automatic...?

If anything, if it is done fully automatic and an instance couldn't be identified by the algorithm, I would expect it to be flagged for manual identification by the police.

[worldwidewebs]

The digital cameras certainly use automatic detection

[piooly]

No they dont work like that. The camera takes the video and the sotware pics up the text, not the plate shape or colour. We use these camera at work.

[worldwidewebs]

I meant automatic in that there was no human intervention

[DavidY]

SPECS is generally forward facing - white number plate!

davidy

[Twinpipe]

DavidY said:

SPECS is generally forward facing - white number plate!

davidy

Beat me to it!!

[cyberface]

My keyboard needs a breathalyser.

[VictorMeldrew]

piooly said:

No they dont work like that. The camera takes the video and the sotware pics up the text, not the plate shape or colour. We use these camera at work.

Yopu could of course plaster the rear of your bright yellow car with random letters and digits, but I suspect if there are any trafpol left at all they would be rather interested in checking the quality of your shirt collar.

[m4rky]

This is an excellent source for all things speedtrappy.

http://www.ukspeedtraps.co.uk/

All facts, nothing made up!

[Paul RN]

ANPR - Automatic Number Plate Recognition used on most motorways now, but not for catching speeders yet.