Instead of improving the clarity of the state’s license plates, Pennsylvania’s new plates are causing problems for automated camera systems. The plates, designed to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, have also confused automated license plate readers, leading to drivers receiving incorrect bills.
Originally intended to better differentiate the letter “O” from the number zero, the redesign has led to improper toll invoicing and parking conflicts due to technological issues with license plate recognition cameras.
“There are some confusions between the number zero and the number eight. This is an issue not only impacting us in the tolling industry, but agencies that use license plate recognition software in other ways,” Crispin Havener, a communications specialist for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, told WPVI News.
According to PennDOT, “The new plate design meets PennDOT production and legibility requirements and was developed in consultation with PA State Police (PSP) and the PA Turnpike (PTC).”
How is Pennsylvania going to fix the problems with the new license plate design?
To better identify the new character, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is upgrading software and re-calibrating its systems. Meanwhile, according to PennDOT, the issue should become better as readers read more plates and “learn” the distinction.
The Pittsburgh Parking Authority also noticed early issues with cameras misidentifying characters on the new plates. According to officials there, a software update allowed the agency to fix the mistakes.
One local driver, however, made his own suggestion to WPXI News. “I think Pennsylvania ought to be able to design a license plate where you can read the numbers,” he said. “That’s the first thing.”
On the positive side, at least, as far as we know, no one in Pennsylvania has pulled over and dragged out of their car at gunpoint because an automated license plate reader misidentified their car, like what happened recently in Arkansas.