Cameras to scan number plates
Another set of eyes will be on Auckland drivers.
Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras are being installed on the Greville motorway on-ramp in an Auckland Transport (AT) trial.
AT was testing the technology to see if it could track congestion and traffic flow.
However, some are concerned the extra cameras threaten individual privacy rights.
The ANPR cameras scan and record number plates of passing vehicles.
While the information captured by the cameras will be encrypted, police will be able to access the information with a warrant.
The ANPR camera trial began in February and will test camera accuracy in different weather conditions.
Auckland Transport spokesman Mark Hannan said the cameras could potentially help with congestion and journey time information.
However, a privacy advocate was concerned where this technology is leading the country in terms of digital tracking. New Zealand Council of Civil Liberties chair Thomas Beagle said Auckland residents should be wary.
‘‘We have been concerned with the development of a network of fixed cameras that end up becoming a tracking database,’’ he said.
Beagle said that this sort of technology tracked everyone.
‘‘Law enforcement shouldn’t be spying on law abiding citizens,I have concerns, we should all be concerned.’’
Hannan rejected the concerns expressed by civil liberties groups.
‘‘The data captured is encrypted within the database and is not traceable to any vehicle or person,’’ he said.
‘‘The licence plate captured is translated into meta data within 48 hours and encrypted and is currently stored indefinitely.’’
However, even with the encryption safeguards, the data will be accessible to police through a warrant.
Barney Irvine, from the Automobile Association, said ANPR technology had the potential to contribute positively to the New Zealand driving experience.
‘‘There may be some ‘big brother’ concerns but among our members that’s really small.’’
The Auckland Transport trial will run between February and July.