Macq Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Cameras and Software for the Road Industry

Macq develops fully integrated automated number plate recognition (ANPR) camera solutions for traffic management, urban access control and area supervision.

Our innovative cameras and smart software systems are successfully used by clients in the governmental, law enforcement and power industries.

Automated ANPR systems for road traffic applications

Macq’s 100%-automated systems operate with high-reliability and low-maintenance.

We use our own fully integrated smart technology (cameras, imaging software and central data management). Everything is developed in-house by our engineers, with a focus on easy automated operation and low-maintenance.

Innovative ANPR database management systems

Macq’s M³ (pronounced ‘M-cube’) platform is a state-of-the-art software application suitable to manage large ANPR databases providing innovative capabilities to ANPR camera systems.

Designed to complement our high-resolution ANPR camera products, the software application can easily be adapted, tailored and upgraded to all current and future needs of our most demanding customers in the field.

The M³ platform can manage ANPR databases, ranging from small installations with only a few cameras to large networks based on a distributed multi-platform architecture.

It has been specifically designed for local communities, regional or national authorities, law enforcement, customs, road or motorway operators, parking supervisors and traffic analysis companies.

Customised software for ANPR monitoring

Macq offers a custom-developed M³ configuration tool, providing a wide range of functionalities to address standard and specific applications, as well as the M³ based software system, regrouping all functions for easy monitoring and control by end users.

The M³ platform offers great flexibility for interfacing with third-party systems through a wide range of web-based services such as Google Maps, using standardised and documented methods to optimize development efforts and associated costs.

In addition, we have launched our M³ Mobility Manager Community, in which we will enable our clients and other partners to use the M³ platform as an open-source software package to develop and adapt their own tailored applications.

Previous ANPR projects

In the Flemish region of Belgium alone, there are already more than 3,500 operational cameras, of which Macq has installed fully automated and integrated ANPR systems in more than 70 regional police areas.

In 2010, the city of Mechelen installed 77 ANPR cameras in 43 locations, mostly on the inbound access roads to the city. The initial aim was to discourage criminals that frequently ‘visited’ the city during that period. The local police force has since solved 172 concrete cases and collected valuable data for official entities such as the terrorism task forces of the federal police.

In 2017, Mechelen mayor Bart Somers again invested in 59 additional Macq ANPR cameras and the latest M³ software, representing a total investment of approximately €1.25m.

Macq cameras are active 24/7, 365 days a year and they record, recognise and process more than 1.3 million number plates in Mechelen on a weekly basis.

Following the example of many other large cities in Europe, Brussels decided to install a low-emission zone (LEZ) in order to ban polluting vehicles from the entire Brussels Capital region. The city awarded Macq with the installation of multiple cameras throughout the area, including the central database servers and M³ back-office management software.