In this study, NHTSA will gather information on and provide insight into law enforcement agenciesâ (LEAs) implementation and use of automated license plate readers (ALPR) for traffic safety purposes. ALPR systems automatically capture an image of a vehicleâs license plate, transform that image into alphanumeric characters using optical character recognition software, and store that information along with relevant metadata (i.e., geo-location and temporal information, as well as data about the ALPR unit). License plate information can then be compared to searchable databases of plates for any number of purposes, from law enforcement to traffic safety to traffic flow monitoring, to see if a match is detected. This project will collect information from LEA personnel with regard to their knowledge and practice in using ALPRs for traffic safety purposes, with emphasis on its use for detecting drivers with revoked, suspended, or restricted licenses.
The objective of the project is to conduct preliminary qualitative research on the feasibility of using ALPRs as countermeasures to improve traffic safety. This study will document the extent of ALPR use, databases and Hot lists, effectiveness and value, challenges and problems, legal issues, law enforcement and community acceptance and privacy concerns. This project will collect information on knowledge and practice of ALPR for traffic safety through interviews with personnel in LEAs that have been selected as case study sites.
Specific questions that will be addressed in this research study include:
⢠How are ALPRs being used in the U.S. for traffic safety purposes? In finding answers to this question, we anticipate gathering information on use of ALPR for other purposes.
⢠What are challenges in ALPR use for this purpose (from U.S. or international sources) and to what extent are they unique to this use e.g., legal issues, privacy concerns, community acceptance?
⢠What are findings regarding ALPR effectiveness in detecting drivers who have suspended, revoked, or restricted licenses?
This is a new information collection resulting in a program change of adding an additional 50 hours to NHTSA's overall burden hour total. In this study, NHTSA will gather information on and provide insight into law enforcement agencies' implementation and use of automated license plate readers for traffic safety purposes.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.