MAV Systems is celebrating after the MAV AiQ was named ‘Best Parking Technology of the Year 2026’ by the British Parking Association (BPA), recognising its pioneering approach to improving the accuracy, efficiency and commercial performance of parking operations.

The Parking Technology Award recognises advances in the hardware and systems used to manage parking more efficiently and deliver a better experience for operators and customers.

The award highlights the technological innovation at the heart of the MAV AiQ, including MAV Systems’ AiAccurate™ and GhostPlate™ technologies, developed to address some of the real-world challenges that can affect ANPR performance.

For parking operators, ANPR accuracy is about much more than simply capturing a registration number. Every vehicle that is incorrectly captured or missed can create additional administration, undermine enforcement processes and potentially result in lost revenue.

The MAV AiQ has been engineered to provide operators with consistently high-quality ANPR data, helping them increase read accuracy, strengthen revenue protection and reduce the operational costs associated with inaccurate or incomplete vehicle identification. Pioneering technology with a commercial purpose

At the heart of MAV AiQ is a clear principle: better ANPR data supports better parking performance.

• AiAccurate™ technology enhances ANPR accuracy to help operators obtain reliable vehicle identification across challenging real-world environments.
• GhostPlate™ technology provides an additional layer of intelligence designed to address the growing challenge presented by problematic number plates that can otherwise compromise ANPR-based operations.

Together, these technologies allow MAV AiQ to provide parking operators with exceptionally reliable vehicle identification, supporting:

• Higher ANPR accuracy and read performance
• Greater revenue security
• Reduced errors and associated administration
• Lower operational costs
• More dependable parking and enforcement processes

The result is technology designed not simply to deliver impressive specifications, but to produce measurable operational value for the organisations using it.

Recognition backed by customers

While receiving the BPA award represents significant industry recognition for MAV Systems, equally important was the feedback received from parking partners already using MAV AiQ.

Operators reported how the technology has helped improve operational performance and revenue security while reducing costs, reinforcing the commercial value behind the technological innovation.

“The MAV AiQ has immediately changed the accuracy and capability of our parking system. Identifying 1000’s of ghost plate users, offering data to check for cloned plates and increasing security through the additional checks has been a game-changer.”

“We can now identify vehicles that are trying to evade capture, match all records and raise alerts for detected ghost plates.”

“The MAV AiQ reduces our costs due to the capabilities it offers and ensures our revenue from parking operations is protected and enhanced through accurate and expanded data for immediate action.”

Tony Mellor, Director, Cumbria Parking Services

For MAV Systems, that combination of technology, reliability and genuine customer benefit is fundamental to the continued development of its ANPR solutions.

Barinder Moore, Global Parking Lead at MAV Systems, said:

“Winning Best Parking Technology of the Year is fantastic recognition for everyone involved in developing MAV AiQ, but what makes it especially rewarding is hearing directly from parking operators about the difference the technology is making to their businesses.

“Accuracy has a direct commercial impact in parking. By combining technologies such as AiAccurate™ and GhostPlate™, MAV AiQ is helping operators improve ANPR performance, protect revenue and reduce the costs and administration associated with inaccurate data.

“We wanted to push the boundaries of what parking ANPR could deliver, while ensuring that innovation translated into real operational and financial benefits for our customers. This award is tremendous recognition of that approach.”

MAV Systems’ Barinder Moore, Ken Prior and Chris Shepherd attended the awards ceremony and accepted the recognition on behalf of the company.

MAV Systems would like to thank the British Parking Association, Go2Sim, Landor LINKS Ltd, the judging panel and everyone involved in making the awards evening such a success.

The company would also like to thank its parking partners and customers whose ongoing feedback continues to play an important role in the development of MAV AiQ and MAV Systems’ wider ANPR technology.

The British Ports Association (BPA) has announced a key partnership with one of the world’s leading providers of number plate recognition cameras, with MAV Systems becoming an official Event Partner for its 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition at the Port of Dover on 21 – 22 October 2026.

MAV Systems is a UK-based traffic technology company that develops Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and vehicle intelligence systems used to identify, track and analyse vehicle movements in real time. MAV’s AiQ platform is already deployed at several UK ports and border control points, where it monitors high-volume freight and passenger movements, helping operators to improve throughput, while meeting increasingly stringent security requirements.

As part of its sponsorship of the event, MAV Systems will host an evening reception at Dover’s Maison Dieu on Wednesday 20 October. MAV Systems will also be speaking at the main conference, sharing its insight into the opportunities offered by intelligent transport systems and how to implement them effectively into busy port operations.

Richard Ballantyne OBE, chief executive of the British Ports Association, said; “With the digitisation of borders including the introduction of the EU’s new Entry Exit System, there is huge interest from ports in technology systems that can effectively manage goods and passenger flows at the border, while maintaining the highest levels of security.

“MAV Systems will bring insight from projects across the globe into the discussions being held during our annual conference and exhibition and we are delighted to welcome them on board as an official event partner.”

Andy Humphries, Managing Director at MAV Systems added; “Knowing the importance of both border security and efficient transport processing, we have developed ANPR solutions to meet all requirements identified at ports and border access terminals. Our ANPR technology is already being used at the Port of Dover to offer security and efficiency and the opportunity to support the British Ports Association event and offer further technological insight was a fantastic opportunity we could not turn down.

We are looking forward to showcasing our world leading ANPR solutions and presenting pioneering technology that can identify vehicles from over 150 countries and even those employing evasive plate manipulation techniques including Ghost Plates”

MAV Systems is part of The Traffic Group (TTG), an international group of businesses focused on product solutions designed to help create safer, greener and more efficient traffic and transport environments.

It is anticipated that the 2026 BPA Annual Conference & Exhibition will be attended by more than 400 delegates, with around 45 exhibiting companies taking part, from across the ports and maritime sector. The Port of Dover’s Cruise Terminal One will also be the venue for the 2026 BPA Awards & Gala Dinner on Thursday 22 October, where the winners of six different award categories will be announced.

Delegate tickets for BPA 2026 are selling quickly and there are limited sponsorship opportunities still available. Organisations interested in finding out more about the event can visit www.bpa2026.com or email the event management team at Freshwater on BPAconference@freshwater.co.uk

Every day, millions of vehicle journeys rely on ANPR systems operating accurately and consistently behind the scenes. Whether supporting law enforcement, managing parking sessions, protecting critical infrastructure or keeping traffic flowing, the camera at the edge of the network determines the quality of every decision that follows.

• A missed registration can mean a missed criminal
• A false read can lead to an incorrect penalty
• A poorly engineered system can reduce operational efficiency, increase maintenance costs and undermine confidence in an entire enforcement programme

The consequences of choosing the wrong technology extend far beyond the camera itself because different applications demand different solutions. There is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” ANPR camera.

The requirements of a city-centre parking operator differ significantly from those of police forces monitoring vehicles of interest. Border agencies require exceptional international plate recognition, while Smart City deployments often prioritise analytics, integration and real-time data. Highways applications demand reliable performance across multiple lanes and challenging weather conditions, while mobile enforcement requires portability without compromising accuracy. Every application presents different operational challenges.

That is why MAV Systems has developed a complete family of specialist ANPR technologies rather than relying on a single generic product.

Engineered for Every Environment

For more than three decades, MAV Systems has focused exclusively on designing and manufacturing specialist ANPR technology. Today, that expertise is reflected across a comprehensive portfolio that includes:

• High-performance fixed ANPR cameras for demanding enforcement, parking and security environments
• Compact, efficient solutions for parking and access control applications
• Mobile ANPR systems for flexible enforcement and operational deployments
• Purpose-built technologies for parking bay management, traffic analytics and Smart City applications

Every product is designed with the same philosophy: deliver reliable vehicle recognition, exceptional operational performance and long-term value.

Intelligence Built Into Every Camera

Modern ANPR is about far more than simply reading number plates. The latest MAV technologies combine advanced imaging with embedded artificial intelligence to provide capabilities that extend well beyond traditional OCR.

These include:

• Embedded AI processing for faster, more intelligent decision making
• High-accuracy vehicle recognition across UK and international registration formats
• GhostPlate™ technology to identify manipulated, obscured and fraudulent number plates
• PlatePath™ vehicle tracking to maintain vehicle identity across multiple frames
• Edge Processing that reduces bandwidth requirements and enables faster system response
• Data minimisation to support privacy-conscious deployments
• Integration with existing enforcement, parking, security and traffic management platforms

The result is technology that delivers greater confidence, higher operational efficiency and improved long-term performance.

Beware the Rise of Cheap Imitations

As demand for ANPR technology has grown, so too has the number of suppliers entering the market. Many products appear similar on paper with marketing literature often promising impressive specifications, AI capabilities and high accuracy figures but words are easy, evidence is always required.

Reliable ANPR requires years of specialist research, optical engineering, software development, AI training and continual refinement. It requires expert support teams who understand complex deployments and who remain invested long after installation.

ANPR is always critical, it’s just the objectives that change which is why quality is not a luxury, it is a necessity.

Why Organisations Continue to Choose MAV Systems

Reliability, quality, performance, accuracy and achievement, all intelligently led.

Every deployment is unique which is why the full range of MAV ANPR technology is designed to deliver outstanding performance, exceptional reliability and long-term value across some of the world’s most demanding operational environments.

Experience the Difference

ANPR technology underpins the safety, security and efficiency of modern transport infrastructure. It deserves specialist engineering, proven performance and expert support. We don’t compromise with generic solutions, our customers won’t accept poor imitations. MAV Systems delivers one of the industry’s most comprehensive portfolios of ANPR technology, combining intelligent innovation, proven performance and decades of specialist expertise to help organisations achieve better operational outcomes.

If you’re planning your next ANPR deployment, we’d be delighted to demonstrate how the MAV range can meet your exact operational requirements. Contact our team today and discover why, when it comes to ANPR, only the best will do.

Labour MP Sarah Coombes visits MAV Systems to discuss their solutions to the growing threat of Ghost Plates

Labour MP Sarah Coombes has visited MAV Systems, one of the world’s leading Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology specialists, to discuss the growing threat posed by illegal “Ghost Plates” and the urgent need for stronger enforcement, tougher legislation, and advanced technology solutions to tackle the problem.

The visit forms part of Sarah Coombes’ ongoing campaign to address the increasing use of Ghost Plates on UK roads. These illegally modified registration plates are designed to defeat conventional ANPR and traffic enforcement systems, allowing offenders to evade detection by speed cameras, congestion charging systems, parking enforcement networks and police investigations.

While many people associate Ghost Plates with avoiding speeding fines or road charges, the consequences extend far beyond traffic offences. Law enforcement agencies and road safety professionals are increasingly concerned that Ghost Plates are being used by organised criminals and repeat offenders to conceal their movements, evade police detection and undermine critical road policing operations.

During her visit, Sarah Coombes met with MAV’s Managing Director, Andy Humphries and Head of Products and Services, Chris Shepherd, to discuss the scale of the problem, the weaknesses within the current registration plate supply chain, and the technological advancements available to support enforcement agencies in identifying and prosecuting offenders.

MAV Systems has been at the forefront of developing solutions to address this growing challenge. The company’s advanced ANPR camera portfolio incorporates its proprietary GhostPlate™ technology, specifically designed to identify and detect vehicles using evasive techniques including Ghost plate modifications which can remain invisible to traditional ANPR camera systems.

With ANPR technology playing a critical role in modern policing, border security, traffic enforcement and public safety operations, maintaining the integrity of vehicle registration systems is essential. Industry experts warn that when registration plates can no longer be reliably read, the effectiveness of numerous enforcement and security systems is compromised.

Chris Shepherd of MAV Systems said:

“The integrity of the number plate system underpins a significant proportion of road policing and criminal investigations across the UK. Ghost Plates are not simply a road traffic issue; they are a public safety and national security concern. If criminals can deliberately avoid identification, they create gaps in the systems relied upon by police, enforcement agencies and wider security networks.”

The discussions also highlighted concerns regarding the continued purchase of ANPR cameras which could not support the identification of Ghost Plates.

MP Sarah Coombes said “I don’t think that the public sector should be paying for cameras on our road that cannot read Ghost number plates. That is a thing of the past we have to be able to deal with technology of the current and of the future”

As government develops future road safety and enforcement strategies, stakeholders across policing, local authorities and the transport sector are increasingly recognising the need for a coordinated national response.

MAV Systems continues to work with police forces, enforcement agencies and transport authorities to deliver the necessary ANPR capabilities that support safer roads, stronger enforcement and improved public security.