This paper proposed a two factor authentication for vehicle access controls using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Radio Frequency Identification system (RFID) for the University of Zambia (UNZA) vehicle access points. The University of Zambia is experiencing increasing challenge of car parking space and vehicle access controls to and within campus premises. The survey that was conducted reviewed that members of staff found difficulties finding parking spaces due to intrusion. The survey also reviewed that vehicles have been stolen within campus parking areas without detection. An access control system using integrated ANPR and RFID technologies was developed to provide five authentication states that met different vehicle access point's requirement. It was built with 'ORed' and 'ANDed', logic settings to achieve five different states of authentication levels, each suited for a particular access point. The ANRP system used the vehicle number plate to authenticate the vehicle through the use of the camera. On the other hand, the RFID system used the drivers' card/tag through the RFID card reader to authenticate the user. Daily transaction records were sent to the security center where information would easily be retrieved. Illegal access to restricted areas, threats of theft of motor vehicles and failed transaction recording system was amicably solved by this proposal.

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This paper presents findings obtained in the Zambian national instrumentation surveys and highlights the little understood adverse effects that advances in semiconductor technology have on electrical and electronic instrumentation applied in all sectors in most African countries in particular Zambia. These effects have been occasioned by the lack of compliance to revised international installation and protection standards, poor power quality and poor planning compounded in many cases by severe weather conditions. These adverse impacts have been mainly caused by very high transistor integration in semiconductor (ICs). This has meant that electrical environment of yester year now requires vast improvements for the newer low dielectric strength component based equipment to operate reliably and safely. This paper finally describes good installation practices in power conditioning, earthing, bonding, surge and lightning protection solutions.