Automated Car Parking System with Arduino

Description

1. Introduction to Automated Car Parking System
2. Components Required
3. Circuit Diagram and Connections
4. Working Principle
5. Advantages of an Automated Car Parking System
6. Conclusion

Introduction to Automated Car Parking System

The Automated Car Parking System is a smart solution that addresses the challenges of parking in congested urban areas. This system, designed as an EEE (Electrical and Electronics Engineering) final-year project, offers a hands-on approach to understanding automation and sensor integration using an Arduino microcontroller. By using infrared (IR) sensors, an LCD display, and a servo motor, students can create a miniature version of a car parking system that automates the process of car entry and exit in a parking lot.

Components Required

To build this Automated Car Parking System project, you’ll need the following components:

1. Arduino UNO – the main control board for handling signals.
2. IR Sensors – for detecting the presence of vehicles.
3. LCD Display – to show the number of available parking spaces.
4. Servo Motor – to open and close the parking barrier.
5. 5V 5A SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supply) – to power the circuit components.

These components can be easily sourced from electronic stores and online platforms. The choice of Arduino UNO makes this project simple to execute and suitable for beginners in microcontroller programming.

Circuit Diagram and Connections

The circuit for this Automated Car Parking System is relatively simple:

• Arduino UNO is the core controller, where the IR sensors are connected to the input pins to detect incoming and outgoing vehicles.
• IR Sensors are placed at the entry and exit points to sense vehicles, sending signals to Arduino to control the gate.
• LCD Display is connected to the Arduino to display the count of available spaces.
• Servo Motor is used to open and close the barrier gate based on sensor input.
• 5V 5A SMPS provides a stable power supply to the entire circuit.

In the attached circuit diagram, you can see the connections between the components and the Arduino. The system is designed to respond instantly when a car is detected, making it efficient and user-friendly.

Working Principle

The Automated Car Parking System operates as follows:

1. Entry Detection: The IR sensor at the entry point detects the presence of a vehicle. When a car is detected, it sends a signal to the Arduino UNO.
2. Barrier Control: Upon receiving the signal, the Arduino sends instructions to the servo motor to open the barrier gate, allowing the car to enter.
3. Parking Space Update: As the car enters, the system updates the LCD display to show the remaining available spaces.
4. Exit Detection: Another IR sensor at the exit detects vehicles leaving the parking area. The Arduino receives this signal, closes the gate, and updates the display accordingly.

The Arduino serves as the brain of the system, continuously reading data from the sensors and updating the display. This system can be expanded to include multiple parking levels, making it a scalable project idea.

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Advantages of an Automated Car Parking System

Implementing an Automated Car Parking System offers several benefits:

1. Efficient Space Utilization: By guiding vehicles automatically, this system maximizes parking space usage.
2. Reduced Traffic Congestion: Automated systems reduce the time drivers spend searching for parking, cutting down on congestion.
3. Enhanced User Experience: Automated systems make parking hassle-free, enhancing user convenience and safety.
4. Cost-Effective: Since it relies on simple and affordable components, this system is budget-friendly and ideal for educational purposes.
5. Scalable Design: The basic concept can be scaled up for large commercial parking spaces.

By incorporating automation and sensors, this project gives students practical experience with IoT applications and smart technologies.

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Conclusion

The Automated Car Parking System is an excellent EEE final-year project that combines technology and innovation to solve real-world parking problems. By using Arduino, IR sensors, and servo motors, students can create a functional prototype that simulates automated parking in a small-scale environment. This project not only develops technical skills but also provides insight into smart city solutions.