ParkHere

ParkHere is an IoT based system which will be implemented as web, android and IOS application using web API. The main aim is to allow a user to search and reserve a space in a parking lot in advance as they plan their journey. The information regarding availability of parking space, the cost to book

Project Title

ParkHere

Project Area of Specialization

Internet of Things

Project Summary

ParkHere is an IoT based system which will be implemented as web, android and IOS application using web API. The main aim is to allow a user to search and reserve a space in a parking lot in advance as they plan their journey. The information regarding availability of parking space, the cost to book it and route planning to the destination by integrating Google Maps, model the interface of the app. Additional features include verifying the customer against his booked parking space, as well as alerting the customer upon occupying and vacating the said space as a form of security measure, via a notification. ParkHere aims for making parking management more efficient and profitable.

Project Objectives

1.   Sensors and their integration with the database
•    To check if a certain space is occupied by any vehicle or not we are using sensors in every parking slot.
•    A Microcontroller is connected with the sensors to send real time information to the server
2.     Barriers and Vehicle verification
•    As a hardware requirement, we have decided to install a barrier system at the entrance of every parking lot, as well as a barrier at every slot.
•    The barrier will work on the basis of sensors and actuators, using an encryption and decryption mechanism on the backend for verification.
•    Once verified, the barrier would allow a user to enter the parking lot, further also releasing the barrier for the particular slot booked. This would guide the user to where they are meant to park, and to make sure the right user is at the spot.
3.    Reservation
•    Every registered user will be given the option of reserving a parking spot.
•    They will be asked to enter the location of the area where the spot is required, followed by the time it is required and for how long.
•    The interface will consist of a screen where, upon selecting a parking lot, the user can then see all slots in that area. They can then pick a slot based on its availability.
•    Once booked, the database will be updated so that slot is no longer available for anyone else to reserve.
•    That slot will remain unavailable till the user clocks out upon leaving or if the registration is cancelled.
4.    Application
•    The main end product of this project is an application, working on android, iOS as well as desktops web application.
•    The interface of the application would consist of a login page, where the user may register using an email address or phone number.
•    Once registered, the user would be given an ID that will remain the same as long as they are registered. Every reservation will be done against this ID for the user throughout its use. All encryption and decryption will also work on the basis of this ID.
5.    Navigation system
•    The application will be integrated with Google Maps. This will allow the application to access the user’s current location as well as provide a map where the user can pick their destination.
•    Once the general location is inputted, the user will be provided with numerous options for available parking lots in the surrounding area. 
•    As a user reserves a parking lot, the application will then guide them to that location, using the suitable route.
6.    Payment 
•    These fees will be deducted using a third party payment gateway available locally. 
•    User will be charged fees, depending on the time duration he made the booking for, made any changes on the reserved time or on canceling reservation.
•    Third party payment service will provide user payment flexibility i.e. online, bank transfer or through mobile account.
 

Project Implementation Method

1.User Interfaces
The user interface for the software shall be compatible to any desktop browser, as android and iOS devices. 
The user interface shall be implemented using React-JS for web app and React-Native for IOS and Android applications.

2.Hardware Interfaces
Sensors to detect the parking space are connected to a Microcontroller which can transfer the current status of the sensors to the cloud.
The Microcontroller is also connected to the barrier system which controls the movement of barrier after validation of the user from the validation system.

3.Software Interfaces
The system will have a database on the backend. This will manage the updates as supplied by the sensors.
The system will also communicate with a service to handle payment and finances.
The system will be integrated with Google Maps, and the location feature on the devices it is used on.

4. Communication Interfaces
All the live time data is available on the cloud so the IoT system implemented at a particular parking area must communicate in real time with the server to fetch and update data on the cloud. The Android, IOS and web application communicate with the server using API requests to fetch, post and update the data in the database.
 

Benefits of the Project

1.Fuel Optimization

ParkHere not only aims to solve the problem of finding a parking space for the users around the place of their destination. It also aims to support the city by reducing traffic jams, fuel cost in finding the parking slot and time waste for being stuck in overwhelmed parking area.

2. Bookings on the Go

A user sets a destination in the app, the app finds all the available parking areas along with the available slots to reserve. The user then chooses the parking slot from the available ones to book and that particular slots gets closed for further booking until user cancels the trip or their trip gets done.

3.Book from Any Device

The application structure contains a web API and different user interfaces for different platforms. The app which is also connected to the cloud provides real-time information about the parking slots and their availability. When user sets the destination, the app locates all the nearby parking areas near the destination using Google Maps and then displays all the available parking slots which can be booked.

4. Analytics

ParkHere team aims to run analytics on the bookings made so make critica decisions like which parking Areas around the city need more Parking Slots or which Specific Area need more Parking Areas

5. Better Utlization

ParkHere aims to solve other critical problems. The biggest problem faced of parking organizations is that parking slots are not utilized as they should be. ParkHere provides administrator the dashboard analytics so critical decisions can be easily made

6. Customer Experience Management

Gartner sums it up pretty well in its definition: “the practice of designing and reacting to customer interactions to meet or exceed customer expectations and, thus, increase customer satisfaction, loyalty and advocacy.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

ParkHere is a parking slot booking application that provides its users with the ease of booking Parking slot for their vehicle in advance when they are planning for their trip. ParkHere aims to solve the problem of finding a parking space for the users around the place of their destination. It also aims to support the city by reducing traffic jams, fuel cost in finding the parking slot and time waste for being stuck in overwhelmed parking area.

A user sets a destination in the app, the app finds all the available parking areas along with the available slots to reserve. The user then chooses the parking slot from the available ones to book and that particular slots gets closed for further booking until user cancels the trip or their trip gets done. The app then provides directions to the user to the parking area using Google Maps. The App involves booking cost which the user pays through the app either using Mobile Top-up or credit card.

ParkHere is an IOT based application; the parking area consists of two type of parking slots, one which can be booked and the others which are available for normal use. Each Parking Slot consists of Ultrasonic sensors on its floor which detect the vehicle if it has occupied the parking slot. Each parking slots is implemented with Ultrasonic sensors to make the system more reliable. A Barrier installed with the parking slot validates if the same user which the slot is parking the vehicle. A security system at the entrance of parking area validates the user against the particular parking slot and opens the barrier for that vehicle. All this sensors and Barrier status is sent to the cloud through Arduino.

The application structure contains a web API and different user interfaces for different platforms. The app which is also connected to the cloud provides real-time information about the parking slots and their availability. When user sets the destination, the app locates all the nearby parking areas near the destination using Google Maps and then displays all the available parking slots which can be booked. When the user books a parking slot, a timer is set which determines the duration from the booking of the slot to its release. There are hourly charges for booking the slot which the user has to pay. The prices vary for each slot according the usage of the particular slot or parking area.

The data collected during the working of the system can be used for various analysis like to help management to decide which areas need more parking areas or providing different packages to a daily user.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

IT

Other Industries

Transportation

Core Technology

Internet of Things (IoT)

Other Technologies

Others

Sustainable Development Goals

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Sustainable Cities and Communities

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com