Adaptive Recognition: A Path to Cleaner Cities with ANPR and MMR Technology

Cities around the world, from bustling urban centers to quiet neighborhoods, are stepping up their fight against pollution by creating Low Emission Zones (LEZs) that lead the charge for cleaner, healthier air.

And it’s not just happening anywhere—Manhattan, one of the world’s busiest urban centers, has taken a bold step in this direction. But what technologies do cities like New York use to ensure their LEZs are effective?

Enter ANPR and MMR technologies—game-changing tools that simplify enforcement and help improve traffic flow. In this article, we’ll dive into how these technologies, backed by cutting-edge camera components and lightning-fast servers, are reshaping cities and promoting sustainability. Let’s explore how Manhattan and other cities are leveraging technology to create cleaner, smarter spaces.

New York’s Bold Step: Manhattan’s Low Emission Zone

On January 5, 2025, New York City made history by launching the nation’s first congestion pricing program, targeting the bustling streets of Manhattan below 60th Street. This initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion, enhance air quality, and generate revenue for public transit improvements. By implementing a toll for vehicles entering the designated zone, the city anticipates a significant decrease in vehicular emissions, leading to cleaner air and a healthier urban environment. This move aligns with global efforts to create more sustainable and livable cities by discouraging the use of high-emission vehicles in densely populated areas.

What Are Low Emission Zones (LEZs)?

Picture a cleaner, quieter city with fresher air and fewer traffic jams — that’s the dream behind Low Emission Zones (LEZs). These designated areas restrict or charge high-polluting vehicles to encourage greener travel choices. By limiting access for older, more polluting cars and trucks, LEZs reduce harmful emissions, making cities healthier for everyone.

A Global Movement Toward Sustainability

New York isn’t the only city taking bold steps. Across the globe, LEZs are becoming a key strategy for urban sustainability. London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has already slashed nitrogen dioxide levels by nearly 50% in some areas. Meanwhile, cities like Paris, Berlin, and Milan have introduced similar initiatives, encouraging residents to embrace electric vehicles or public transport.

LEZs are more than just environmental efforts; they’re paving the way for greener, smarter, and more livable cities worldwide. With cutting-edge technologies like ANPR and MMR cameras, enforcing these zones has never been easier — or more impactful.

How to Build a Low Emission Zone

Creating a Low Emission Zone is all about setting clear goals: Do you want to reduce vehicle emissions, encourage electric vehicle (EV) adoption, or achieve both? Once you know your objectives, it’s time to choose the right tools. ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras are at the core of any LEZ, giving authorities the ability to track and monitor vehicles entering restricted zones. But why stop there?

MMR (Make and Model Recognition) takes these systems a step further by distinguishing between vehicles of the same type—like identifying whether a car is electric or fuel-based. And to ensure everything runs smoothly, integrating a server, like the Globessey Data Server (GDS) is key. GDS acts as a powerful middleware solution, seamlessly connecting your cameras and managing traffic data. GDS, built on the powerful ELK stack, is designed to handle massive volumes of data with lightning-fast processing. This ensures that Low Emission Zones (LEZs) not only operate efficiently but also maintain the high level of accuracy needed for smooth enforcement and traffic management. The server’s role in this process is critical, as it can often mean the difference between an LEZ that runs flawlessly and one that faces frequent challenges. We’ll take a closer look at this essential component later in the article.

What Are Your Options for Enforcing Low Emission Zones?

Creating a cleaner and greener city with a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is a powerful step toward sustainability. But what does it take to ensure that an LEZ operates effectively? This is where technology comes into play, offering smart and efficient solutions to enforce regulations and maintain smooth operations.

1. Static ANPR Cameras at Zone Entry Points

Imagine driving into a restricted zone, and as soon as you enter, your vehicle is instantly identified and cross-referenced with emission databases thanks to the magic of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. In just moments, the system can flag high-polluters, helping to keep the air cleaner for everyone. It can also be used to ensure that only authorized vehicles, such as those belonging to residents, are allowed entry. It’s like having a virtual gatekeeper that ensures only eco-friendly vehicles or authorized ones are allowed without consequences into the zone.

2. Mobile Units with ANPR/MMR Capabilities

Need a flexible way to enforce rules on the move? Mobile units with ANPR and Make and Model Recognition (MMR) technology have got you covered. These patrol vehicles can identify violators in real time, even while moving through the city. The MMR feature adds a layer of precision, and Adaptive Recognition is actively developing a feature that enhances the existing MMR (Make, Model, and Color Recognition) technology, enabling it to distinguish between similar-looking vehicles—such as two SUVs—and identify whether they are electric or fuel-powered. It’s like having Sherlock Holmes in your traffic patrol team!

The Power Behind a Low Emission Zone: Meet GDS

What truly sets a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) apart is a connected network of cameras, all seamlessly managed by the Globessey Data Server (GDS). Acting as the brain of the LEZ enforcement system, GDS links all cameras—whether static or mobile—and processes vast amounts of data at lightning speed. This ensures smooth operations across large zones or even multiple counties.

Why GDS is Essential:

• Seamless Data Collection: Every camera streams data to a centralized hub for real-time analysis.
• Real-time Alerts: GDS allows you to set specific criteria (e.g., license plate, speeding, or yellow van) and receive instant notifications via email or SMS when these conditions are met, ensuring immediate action can be taken.
• Effortless Management: Whether managing a handful of cameras or hundreds, GDS simplifies endpoint control and day-to-day operations.
• Real-Time Insights: Beyond enforcing rules, GDS helps identify traffic patterns, monitor trends, and refine strategies.
• Scalable and Secure: Its scalability supports expanding urban initiatives, while robust authentication ensures secure data access.

By combining cutting-edge technology with a powerful backend, GDS transforms LEZ enforcement from a logistical challenge into an efficient, impactful solution. A centralized system like GDS offers far more than just processing power. It simplifies the management of cameras and other connected devices, making day-to-day operations effortless. Robust authentication ensures secure data access, while its versatility means it can integrate seamlessly with third-party devices and Adaptive Recognition solutions. In other words, GDS isn’t just a backend system — it’s the backbone of a smarter, greener city.

The result? Cleaner air, smoother traffic, and happier residents — a win-win for everyone.

The Benefits of LEZs in Numbers: Key Insights from Traffic Data

The value of traffic data lies in its ability to go beyond enforcement—it drives real change. Let’s dive into why these specific insights are game-changers for cities adopting Low Emission Zones (LEZs):

1. Measuring Emission Reductions: Proof of Progress

Imagine this: a year after a Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is implemented, there’s a measurable drop in harmful emissions. This isn’t just an impressive statistic—it’s solid proof that such initiatives can make a real difference. Tracking reductions over time highlights the impact of cleaner air measures, builds public trust, and provides valuable data to support further environmental efforts or secure funding for new projects.

2. Traffic Flow Optimization: Keeping the City Moving

LEZs aren’t just about limiting pollution—they’re also about smarter traffic management. Analyzing traffic patterns helps cities identify bottlenecks, adjust road usage policies, and even time traffic lights better. The result? Fewer idling cars, reduced fuel consumption, and happier commuters. A well-optimized LEZ doesn’t feel like an inconvenience; it becomes a seamless part of daily life, enhancing urban mobility while reducing congestion.

3. Dynamic Pricing Systems Based on Real-Time Traffic Data

Why stop at a flat fee for entering the zone when you can get smarter? Dynamic pricing adjusts toll rates based on traffic volume, time of day, or pollution levels. During rush hour, fees could increase to discourage non-essential trips, while off-peak times might see reduced rates. This approach not only helps manage congestion but also incentivizes cleaner travel habits.

4. Compliance Tracking: Enforcing Fairness

Rules only work when they’re followed, and that’s where compliance tracking comes in. By identifying repeat offenders, cities can ensure fairness—those who abide by the rules aren’t overshadowed by those who don’t. It also creates a feedback loop: as violators are held accountable, compliance rates improve, and the system becomes more effective. This not only maintains the integrity of the LEZ but also boosts public confidence in the initiative.

Together, these insights offer more than just operational benefits—they build a foundation for a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable city. When traffic data is used to measure impact, optimize flow, and enforce rules, the benefits ripple through the entire community, creating a future that everyone can enjoy.

Empowering Cities with Technology: The Future of Low Emission Zones

Low Emission Zones represent a bold step toward a greener future, and with the right technology, they are easier to implement and manage than ever before. ANPR and MMR technologies, paired with advanced servers like the Globessey Data Server (GDS), provide cities with the tools to enforce regulations seamlessly, gather actionable insights, and optimize traffic flow in real time. These technologies ensure that every vehicle entering a zone is accurately assessed, every violator is identified, and every decision is backed by reliable data.

But beyond the tech lies a deeper purpose: creating cleaner, healthier cities for future generations. LEZs don’t just reduce emissions—they pave the way for communities where clean air is the norm, not a luxury. They inspire confidence that urban areas can thrive without sacrificing the environment.

By embracing these solutions, cities around the world are proving that sustainability isn’t just a goal; it’s a movement powered by innovation. With every LEZ that comes to life, we take another step toward a brighter, greener tomorrow.

Are you planning a similar project? Discover how Adaptive Recognition can help you achieve your goal.

About Adaptive Recognition

Adaptive Recognition is a group of creative minds, developing and manufacturing AI-based image-processing technology, for the traffic, security, and identity industries. 

Adaptive Recognition's first major success came with our globally market-leading Carmen® ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) product, which is capable of automatically recognizing and reading images of car license plates. This was followed by introducing various standardized codes, which are used, among other things, in shipping or printed on ID documents like passports.

The small startup transformed into a professional international company with locations in Denmark, the USA, Asia-Pacific, Central-Europe, and Singapore, with 300+ employees and 30+ representative partners worldwide.