Please note: The algorithm descriptions in English have been automatically translated. Errors may have been introduced in this process. For the original descriptions, go to the Dutch version of the Algorithm Register.
License plate camera enforcement Car-free Inner City
- Publication category
- Impactful algorithms
- Impact assessment
- Field not filled in.
- Status
- In use
General information
Theme
Begin date
Contact information
Responsible use
Goal and impact
Goal: digitally enforce the car-free city centre. Control of this is done with cameras that can read license plates. The purpose of the algorithm is to enable efficient enforcement.
The algorithm only impacts vehicles that are not allowed to be in the areas. Only the offending vehicle is captured. Non-offenders are disregarded. The cameras, and hence the algorithm, are deployed for the purpose of enforcing the Car Free Inner City for vehicles. The impact of the algorithm on citizens is low. Only reading the number plate is performed by the algorithm. Alleged offenders are checked manually by a BOA to determine whether there is any criminal behaviour, with the BOA also still checking the number plate itself on camera images.
Considerations
The algorithm offers significant benefits by being more efficient, faster and cheaper. Instead of employees having to continuously read out images, now only vehicles that should not be in the area are photographed. Posting traffic signs alone is not enough, and using enforcement officers to manually check vehicles is time-consuming and inefficient. Physical closure with traffic bollards (pollers) also has drawbacks, such as high purchase and operating costs and the damage that can occur. Moreover, the area must always remain accessible to emergency services. Camera surveillance is therefore more efficient and effective than the alternatives.
Human intervention
The system generates a list of registered vehicles without an exemption. A special investigating officer (BOA) checks and reviews this list within 72 hours. If an offence is detected, the BOA forwards it to the Central Judicial Collection Agency.
Risk management
The license plate registration system complies with all applicable privacy laws and regulations.
There is no live video footage; it only involves digital images (photos) with license plate information. Only offenders are temporarily listed (for a maximum of 72 hours). Information on non-offenders is not stored.
As an investigative body, the municipality must keep the digital recordings for five years and ensure that the offender can request the offence photo from the municipality.
Legal basis
Road Traffic Act 1994
Links to legal bases
Elaboration on impact assessments
The municipality conducts a DPIA to test the impact of the solution.
Operations
Data
License plates (registration number, date, time and location, no specific name and address details) of vehicles that are not allowed to be in the allocated area, database of exemption holders and any window times. Window times are the times when special vehicles are / are not allowed to enter the city centre.
Links to data sources
- RDW: https://www.rdw.nl/
- NPR: https://www.nationaalparkeerregister.nl/
Technical design
The camera enforcement system scans (excluding any window times) all license plates of passing vehicles. The camera then uses an object recognition algorithm, which is used to recognise and classify different types of vehicles in traffic (type of vehicle and other objects). The classification of the vehicle is determined through a link with the RDW. The license plate is compared with a database of registered license plates of exemption holders via a link with the NPR. Vehicles without exemptions are put on a list that reaches a special investigating officer (BOA).
In addition, another algorithm ensures that the picture of the offence is blurred (blurred), except for the vehicle with license plate.
External provider
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