Editing London congestion charge (section)

== Operations and technology ==
[[File:London-cc-mobile-l.jpg|thumb|TfL congestion charging mobile patrol units use CCTV to identify vehicles within the charge zone.]]
Whilst TfL is responsible for the scheme, the operation is sub-contracted to a number of outside companies. Since 2009, IBM has been responsible for the day-to-day operation of the charging system, whilst Siemens Traffic Solutions provides and operates the physical enforcement infrastructure.  Transport for London announced that from 2009 [[IBM]] would operate the charge, along with the [[London low emission zone]] under contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7062030.stm |title=Capita to lose congestion charge |date=25 October 2007 |access-date=21 November 2007 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429065311/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7062030.stm |archive-date=29 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The scheme makes use of purpose-built [[automatic number-plate recognition]] (ANPR) cameras, manufactured by PIPs Technology, to record vehicles entering and exiting the zone. Cameras can record number plates with a 90% accuracy rate through the technology.<ref name="wasted"/><ref name="preparing">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2748319.stm |title=Preparing for Congestion |first=Tom |last=Symonds |work=BBC News |date=11 February 2003 |access-date=27 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429065537/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2748319.stm |archive-date=29 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The majority of vehicles within the zone are captured on camera. The cameras take two still pictures in colour and black and white and use [[infrared]] technology to identify the number plates. The camera network and other roadside equipment is managed largely automatically by an installation system developed by [[Roke manor research|Roke Manor Research Ltd]], which delivers number plates to the billing system. These identified numbers are checked against the list of payers overnight by computer. In those cases when a number plate has not been recognised then they are checked manually.<ref name="preparing" /> Those that have paid but have not been seen in the central zone are not refunded, and those that have not paid and are seen are fined. The registered keeper of such a vehicle is looked up in a database provided by the [[Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency]] (DVLA), based in [[Swansea]].<ref name="preparing" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/uk/03/congestion_charge/exemptions_guide/html/works.stm |title=How it Works |access-date=27 May 2007 |work=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429070343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/uk/03/congestion_charge/exemptions_guide/html/works.stm |archive-date=29 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>