- Raytec partnered with IMS Services to deliver E-MAX, a bespoke video surveillance and number plate recognition system
- After it became difficult to monitor fast-moving vehicles, IMS looked for a solution
- The solution combined illumination with cameras to provide monitoring in even the most challenging conditions
The town of Zimmersheim in north-eastern France set out to strengthen public safety by upgrading its video surveillance infrastructure. Key locations, particularly town entrances and exits, required dependable night-time monitoring capable of capturing number plates and tracking vehicle movement in difficult conditions, including fast-moving traffic, poor weather and inconsistent street lighting.
The Challenge
Capturing clear number plate images at night proved challenging using standard infra-red systems integrated into cameras. Vehicles travelling at high speed, combined with adverse weather and unreliable street lighting, reduced visibility and compromised surveillance effectiveness.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), also known as License Plate Recognition (LPR), systems are vital for traffic monitoring, car park management and supporting law enforcement. A critical component of these systems is reliable lighting infrastructure. Infra-red (IR) lighting delivers consistent, powerful illumination, particularly in low-light conditions or when overcoming headlight glare, ensuring number plates are captured clearly and accurately.
The Solution
Raytec partnered with IMS Services to deliver E-MAX, a bespoke video surveillance and number plate recognition system tailored to the needs of Zimmersheim.
The solution combined powerful illumination with high-performance cameras to provide reliable monitoring in even the most challenging conditions.
The system included:
- A single Raytec VAR2-i8-1 Infra-Red (IR) illuminator, powered by 12/24V, featuring a built-in sensor that automatically switches lighting on or off depending on ambient brightness. This ensures optimal performance while minimising energy consumption.
- Two HANWHA XNB cameras equipped with specialised lenses — one for general scene context and the other dedicated to number plate capture — both supported by the single Raytec IR illuminator.
The Raytec IR illuminator integrated into the E-MAX system, providing consistent, focused illumination for accurate number plate capture, even when vehicles were travelling at high speed or lighting conditions were poor.
The project demonstrated that while integrated IR technology has advanced significantly, external IR illumination remains essential for high-performance surveillance. It extends operational range, improves image clarity and ensures dependable night-time visibility.
“We chose to work with Raytec because of the reliability and power offered by their infra-red lights. Some of the infra-red lights have been working outdoors for over 8 years. The switching off of streetlights and car headlights posed a real problem for license plate visibility with basic infra-red lighting. Raytec infra-red lights solved this problem.”
— François Becker, IMS Services
