Access control operation
There is a control system located at the street level for all Serrano car parks, which is made up of:
- Barrier.
- Computerised entrance control equipment.
- Car park entry card reader.
- Car park ticket dispenser (except in resident-only entrances).
- Ground installed magnetic loop detector.
- OCR (text recognition program) equipped camera focused on the car number plate.
- Side cameras for recording the vehicle entry.
Since the car has already been identified at the first entrance, there is no plate number reader at these interior accesses. Cars entering a mixed entrance with a concession holder's card have a courtesy period before entering the resident zone. If this courtesy period runs out before the concession holder tries to enter the resident zone with their card, entry will be denied, and they will have to register at the control booth.
In order for concession holders to enter, they must pass the card issued at the time of signing the addendum through the card reader. At that time, the number plate reader is activated, since the car will be positioned over the magnetic loop detector.
The data recorded in the system that corresponds to the resident's data (authorised number plate) is then validated at the same time as the data is read by the OCR camera. As long as the data read by the OCR camera coincides with an authorised number plate, the system sends a signal to the entrance controller, which opens the barrier.
The number plate reading system installed in the Serrano car parks is widely used. However, the system can correctly read only 98% of the plates, allowing for the possibility that validation cannot be performed. This could happen if the vehicle showing the card is a motorcycle, if the plate is covered with mud, if the paint on the plate is damaged, or if the vehicle has an old number plate or one from outside the European Union.
Should a concession holder enter by taking a regular ticket, then try to scan his or her card at the entrance to the concession holder zone in order to avoid a number plate reading, the system will deny access, given that this card was not recorded when the vehicle entered the car park.
All modules in which customers use the system are equipped with an interphone button. If this is pushed, it directs the call to the nearest control booth, and if there is no response, to the central control booth. Should there be several calls at the same time, there is a priority classification system for attending to those calls. For example, all calls made from lifts have priority, since they may be related to security. Those made from entrances have priority over those coming from exits.
We should note that there are closed circuit television cameras aimed at the exit ramps, in case a car tries to enter the resident zone from the opposite direction.
The procedure described is automatic. For security reasons, all barriers can also be activated manually. If a problem occurs and a vehicle were to enter by means of such manual activation, that entry would be recorded.
When exiting the resident car park area, the interior barriers open directly when the vehicle passes over the magnetic loops. Street exit barriers only open when the card or ticket is presented.
