IDENTEC SOLUTIONS Long-Range RFID Tags and Readers Identify Vehicles in the UK

Hills Numberplates has selected IDENTEC SOLUTIONS Intelligent Long Range (ILR) radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and readers as the RFID-backbone for the e-Plates initiative to identify vehicles in the United Kingdom. The e-Plates project uses active (battery-powered) RFID tags embedded in the plates to identify motor vehicles in real time. The result is the ability to reliably identify any vehicle, anywhere, stationary or mobile, at any time in all weather conditions. The e-Plates project has been under development for the past three years at a cost of over pnds stlg 1 million. The system is currently under consideration by a number of Administrations and it is hoped that e-Plate will be one of the systems trialed by the UK Government in its study of micro-chipped plates. e-Plates are the same size and shape as a conventional plate and are permanently fitted to a vehicle. Each e-Plate contains an embedded tag with a unique encrypted identification number that is transmitted by the tag for detection by RFID readers. Multiple tags can be read simultaneously by a single RFID reader at speeds of up to 320 km per hour (200 miles) up to 100 meters (300 feet) away. The reader network, which includes fixed-location readers for use on the roadside and portable readers for use in surveillance vehicles and handhelds, sends the unique identifier in real time to a secure central system where it is matched with the corresponding vehicle data such as registration number, owner details, make, model, color, and tax/insurance renewal date. A key benefit of the e-Plate is that the tag provides an encrypted and secure ID code which is registered in the Ministry of Transports database. This code prevents tampering, cloning, or other forms of fraud that happen with current camera-based systems. Additionally, the e-Plate is designed to shatter if anyone tries to remove or otherwise tamper with it, and the tag can be programmed to transmit a warning if any attempt is made to dislodge the plate. The e-Plates system will be used to identify vehicles for areas such as security, access control, electronic payment, tracking/processing, traffic management, and customer service. The hands-free nature of the system allows for improved control without having to rely on cards, keys, cameras, or human intervention. Commercial areas include car dealers, rental companies, insurance companies, fleet operators, and parking garages. In the public sector, the main interests are enforcement (compliance with road tax, insurance, mechanical checks), access control to restricted areas, combating vehicle theft and associated crime, and traffic flow counting and modeling.