CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
The control of parking meters is a common challenge faced by millions of city
dwellers. An arsenal of control agents should incessantly circulate in the city especially
during day time to bill citizens abusing w2hile parking by exceeding the allocated
parking time or by merely parking their vehicles freely. An efficient infraction detection
system is required.Wireless ad hoc networking based on ZigBee technology offers a new
and efficient tool to an infraction detection system especially for big cities or in cities
where no infrastructure or a pure one is available. They can therefore be placed
anywhere.The achieved system allows the control of the parcket vehicles that have
exceeded their time limit.
Parking meters deployed on strategic streets and places by municipalities to
collect money in exchange for the right to park for a limited time. They allow
municipalities to implement their traffic and mobility management policies as well as to
maintain security and equitable access to parking. Indeed, the use of conventional parking
meters involve a lot of human resources to regularly monitor these devices in place and
hand down fines for violators of parking rules. Use new wireless communication
technologies to make monitoring parking meters cost-effective and more efficient in the
sense that no infraction may occur without sanction.
An intelligent wireless based system may replace conventional methods of
monitoring by deploying low power sensors to detect parked vehicles and by wirelessly
networking the parking meters in a power-aware way.The system emerge new technology
namely ZigBee which utilizes IEEE 802.15.4 standard as radio layer (media access
control (MAC) and physical layer) also it enables monitoring which provides
municipalities with valuable information to update their strategies and policies. The
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expected immediate result is the reduction of parking violations and/or the increase of
revenues through more fines.
Figure 1.1: parking meter
Today, there are several automated or manually systems and methods to detect
parking infractions. The first method requires physical presence in place yielding the
deployment of huge human resources (control agents) working sometimes in non
comfortable weather conditions. Control agents are only able to cover a limited number
of vehicles especially at rush hours.Automatic detection emerged few years with
embedded parking solutions. The cost inherent to these solutions and the covered area are
still serious issues. More efficient and cost-effective solutions are required.
Systems deploying cameras to capture digital images of vehicles need a high bit
rate technology to deliver these images in real time like Wi-Fi. In fact, covering a large
area with such a technology makes the system very expensive due to the high cost of Wi-
Fi and to high energy consumption. Moreover, the system will still dependent on other
infrastructural considerations, and external failures may generate system breakdown.In
this context we propose to develop a hardware and software solution that is based on
innovative technologies and less expensive. The system is the first of its kind using the
ZigBee technology to detect infraction and to monitor the elapsed time on the parking
meters. It outperforms other technologies like Wi-Fi in terms of low cost and it enables
covering large areas without need of another network infrastructure.
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CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
The control of parking meters is a common challenge faced by millions of city
dwellers. An arsenal of control agents should incessantly circulate in the city especially
during day time to bill citizens abusing while parking by exceeding the allocated parking
time or by merely parking their vehicles freely. An efficient infraction detection system is
required. Wireless ad hoc networking based on ZigBee technology offers a new and
efficient tool to an infraction detection system especially for big cities or in cities where
no infrastructure or a pure one is available. They can therefore be placed anywhere. The
achieved system allows the control of the parcket vehicles that have exceeded their time
limit.
Related to this topic many works have been proposed, one among that is
the“wireless ad hoc network of parking meters”, proposed by Zgaren Mohamed and
Habib Hamam.
They introduces Wireless ad hoc networking based on ZigBee technology.The
control of parking meters is a common challenge faced by millions of city dwellers. An
arsenal of control agents should incessantly circulate in the city especially during day
time to bill citizens abusing while parking by exceeding the allocated parking time or by
merely parking their vehicles freely. An efficient infraction detection system is required.
Thus they propose Wireless ad hoc networking based on ZigBee technology offers a new
and efficient tool to an infraction detection system especially for big cities or in cities
where no infrastructure or a pure one is available. They can therefore be placed
anywhere. The achieved system allows the control of the parcket vehicles that have
exceeded their time limit. The paper presents the design and implementation of both the
Ad Hoc wireless network and its node which is the smart parking meter. The system
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emerge new technology namely ZigBee which utilizes IEEE 802.15.4 standard as radio
layer (media access control (MAC) and physical layer) also it enables monitoring which
provides municipalities with valuable information to update their strategies and policies.
The expected immediate result is the reduction of parking violations and/or the increase
of revenues through more fines.
A work related to this is “Networked Parking Spaces: Architecture and
Applications”, proposed by P. Basu, and T.D.C. Little,
In this paper they describe a multi-hop wireless parking meter network (PMNET)
that, when coupled with a GPS receiver, allows a user (driver) to quickly locate and
navigate to an available parking space. Their solution is achieved by equipping existing
parking meters with wireless radio frequency (RF) transceivers and auxiliary hardware
and software. They believe that this is a compelling application that applies wireless ad
hoc networking and low-power, short range RF technologies. The attractiveness of the
proposal stems from the fact that such a network of nodes can function without any fixed
wired or wireless infrastructure such as cellular or satellite networks. In this work, they
model a PMNET as a special class of ad hoc networks characterized by a combination of
static, immobile nodes (parking meters) and mobile nodes (vehicles). They propose
scalable techniques for satisfying a mobile user’s query in a distributed fashion. In
particular, they make use of the static nature of the parking meters for efficient discovery
and location based routing of information between them and users.
Another work related to this is “An Intelligent Architecture for Metropolitan Area
Parking Control and Toll Collection”, proposed by Shobhit Shanker and Syed Masud
Mahmud.
They proposed a system called Intelligent architecture for Metropolitan Parking
Control and Toll collection(IMPACT). They propose the use of a wireless device with a
software function that shall be embedded in the parking meter and would be having
wireless ad-hoc networking capabilities. They also propose that the parking meter be
embedded with two FM-CW radar sensors and a low cost video camera. These two
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sensors ensure vehicle detection and that the driver has parked his/her vehicle in the
correct place. The small video camera is placed to eliminate the possibility of false alarm.
A tower, known as the Parking Gateway (PG), shall be wirelessly linked to all the
parking meters and would act as a gateway between the parking meters and the
centralized parking authority.
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CHAPTER 3
EXISTING SYSTEM
There are several automated or manually systems and methods exits to detect
parking infractions, which are placed by municipalities to collect money in exchange for
the right to park for a limited time. It allows municipalities to implement their traffic and
mobility management policies as well as to maintain security and equitable access to
parking. The use of conventional parking meters involve a lot of human resources to
regularly monitor these devices in place and hand down fines for violators of parking
rules. Automatic detection emerged few years with embedded parking solutions. The
automated system consists of camera, sensors, embedded processor etc. In this the state
of each parking meter is transmitted through an Wi-Fi network to the central station
which monitors all smart parking meters.
3.1 ARCHITECTURE
Fig 3.1: Basic Hardware Modules in automated parking meter
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Parking meters consist of a low-cost, low-power embedded processor and
operating system. They also consist of an inexpensive short-range infra-red sensor to
detect occupancy and a short-range, low-power RF transceiver to communicate with
central station through Wi-Fi. A query processing software module running on a user’s
unit structures a query in a suitable query language before it is dumped in the network via
pm-nodes that are RF reachable from the user’s current location. Responses to a query
can be sorted by user defined criterion before presentation to the user.
A query processing module receives structured queries from mobile users,
determines if a query matches the current values of its relevant attributes and takes
appropriate action. If a query can be satisfied locally, the pm-node responds to the user
using the underlying unicast routing protocol. In the basic version of the system, if a pm-
node is unable to satisfy the query itself, it rebroadcasts the query to its neighbors. The
status update processing module receives status updates (values of volatile
attributes)from other pm-nodes and updates the local data structures accordingly. These
data structures need to be queried repeatedly while responding to user queries. Thus
advocate a hybrid approach (partly proactive and partly reactive) for facilitating querying
and status update so as to minimize bandwidth usage as well as user latency.
Existing systems have certain disadvantages. The Manual system requires
physical presence of huge human resources or control agents. Also they forced to work in
some non comfortable weather conditions. Also they can only cover a limited number of
vehicles especially at rush hours. The main problem with automated system is cost and
the covered area the state of each parking meter is transmitted through a high bit rate
technology ie; Wi-Fi network to the central station which monitors all smart parking
meters. But Cover a large area with Wi-Fi a technology makes the system very expensive
due to the high cost of Wi-Fi. It will also lead to high energy consumption. Also some
External failures may generate system breakdown.
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CHAPTER 4
PROPOSED SYSTEM
Wireless Ad Hoc Network of Parking Meters Using Zigbee Technology
In this proposed system we use ZigBee technology which is innovative and less
expensive. The parking meter uses ZigBee technology to detect infraction and to monitor
the elapsed time on the parking meters. It outperforms other technologies like Wi-Fi. But
it is low cost and it enables covering large areas without need of another network
infrastructure. The system is feeded locally by using a 12V battery which makes the
system mobile and feedable by solar panels. By using this wireless ad hoc network we
can manage and monitor of parking places in large regions with minimum human and
material resource. It consists of two parts: the first concerns the architecture of the
wireless ad hoc network whereas the second deal with the task of implementing a
network node.
4.1 Network Node Design And Implementation
4.1.1 Hardware contribution
The system has a variety of integrated hardware elements. Indeed, the node
includes liquid crystal display (LCD) showing the allocated time that is decremented just
after inserting the coins. It also includes a sensor detecting the presence of vehicles if
any. This sensor uses infrared light (we can other types such as ultrasound) and it can
also calculate the distance from the parking meter to the parked vehicle (Fig. 4.1.1.1).The
sensor is characterized by its long range and low power consumption. The environmental
temperature and the operating duration do not depend on the distance of detection since
its measurement is based on the triangulation method
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Fig 4.1.1.1: Parked vehicle detection.
The microcontroller, which is the smart part of the system, handles the capture
and the processing of data because it allows us receiving the signal and storing data from
the sensor on the one hand and sending data through the serial port to the network
wireless module (Fig. 4.1.1.2) on the other hand. Thereafter the data is circulated in the
network, according to the used architecture and the protocols adopted by the modules.
The field of vision considered by the smart parking meter is between 50 centimeters and
2.5 meters. Thus it does not include both the pedestrian and vehicles in the street. To
eliminate the consideration of an undesirable object in the parking area, we set a time
limit in the microcontroller. The sensor delivers a voltage inversely proportional to the
distance. It will be later converted and processed by the microcontroller.
Fig 4.1.1.2: Node architecture.
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4.1.2 Software challenge
Concerning the smart parking meter, the software part handles both the
microcontroller and the wireless communication module. The microcontroller is
connected to the infrared sensor and coin acceptor output. The flow diagram is shown in
Figure 4.1.2.1.
Fig 4.1.2.1: Flow diagram of the Microcontroller
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When a vehicle is sensed, the system starts the processing mode, then it checks if
a coin is already entered. The microcontroller is always listening to the sensor and coin
acceptor output and never goes to the sleep mode:
If a coin is entered a thread displays and decrement the time allocated. If
allocated time is over and no more money entered in the coin acceptor, a warning will
be sent instantly to the control station via the ZigBee module and a security officer
will be dispatched.
If the driver parks the vehicle and does not put coins, after a certain time-
out delay a warning will be sent to the control station and a security officer will be
dispatched also.
Concerning the wireless communication module, it also has two inputs, which are
the data reaching the microcontroller via the serial pins or the neighboring node via the
antenna. These data will be treated and sent to the next node or the destination.
Fig 4.1.2.2: Flow diagram of the wireless communication module
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When the module is turned on, it will go to the idle mode with the default
configuration and does not send data until it is received from the microcontroller or the
neighboring node. The flow diagram is shown in Figure 4.1.2.2.
4.2 Ad Hoc network
For the data transmission via wireless network, we opted for ZigBee technology
for our application which require low data rates and low power consumption. This choice
took into account cost, speed and coverage. In fact the low cost allows the ZigBee to be
widely deployed in wireless control and monitoring applications. The low power-usage
allows longer life with smaller batteries. The Ad Hoc networking provides high reliability
and larger range.
The ZigBee communication protocol includes two sub stack and one application
layer which define the software part of the module developed by the customer. The first
stack, defined by the IEEE 802.15.4 standard characterizes the hardware, includes the
Physical and Media Access Control layers. The second stack, developed by the ZigBee
Alliance and included in the network layer, supports the routing topology and the security
option adopted by the customer in a frame called API (Fig. 4.2.1).
Fig 4.2.1: Network stack.
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The fig 4.2.2 presents the reasons for choosing this technology. First, the battery
life extends over about three years. Second, the number of nodes within a single network
can reach 64 000. Third, the transmission range of the ZigBee module can reach the 1600
meter with high gain antenna. All the advantages make this technology the most suited
for such application.
Fig 4.2.2: ZigBee Applications
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4.2.1 Network Formation
The networks include three different device types, namely coordinator, router, and
end device node (Fig: 4.2.1.1)
Fig 4.2.1.1: Parking meter based on ZigBee Network Topology
The network is formed when a coordinator node located in the control station is
turned on. All parking meter nodes are defined as routers and end devices that may join
our network. They inherit the coordinator’s node identification. Each network is defined
by a single coordinator node.
Each group of smart parking meters must be connected to at least one node
configured as a router to enable data routing to the coordinator. The neighbor routers
node must respect the range limit to successfully perform data delivery.
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4.2.2 Network Routing
The network supports mesh routing, allowing data to traverse multiple parking
meter nodes in order to reach the destination located in the control station. This allows
the network nodes to be spread out over a large region.
Data can be sent as either unicast or broadcast transmissions so the application
has two types of transmission. The first one concerns the case where a single source
(control station) sends requests to several parking meter nodes in order to change one or
more network parameters. For this kind of transmission we can use the process called
route discovery which is based on the AODV (Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector
routing) protocol. The second type is that the parking meter automatically sends data to a
single destination (station control) informing it about an infraction. In this case, we can
use the Many-To-One routing protocol.
The main advantage of the two routing protocols is that routes between parking
meters, who want to send data, and control stations are established on demand and is not
known in advance. Moreover, the capacity of the network is so big that the latter may
contain thousands of nodes
Fig 4.2.2.1: Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector routing.
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The AODV protocol allows route request (RREQ) message broadcasting when a
node needs to discover a route to a destination. Once destination is reached, the
destination route is made available by unicasting a route replay, referred to as RREP,
back to the source route (Fig.4.2.2.1). During Network operation, intermediate nodes
update their routing tables. If a node does not work anymore an error message will be
send to the source and the route discovery process will started again.
Fig 4.2.2.2: Many-To-One Routing
The Many-To-One protocol is another routing protocol supported by the wireless
module and an improved version of the AODV protocol. The idea is to send Many-To-
One broadcast message (MTORR) in the reverse way by the coordinator (control station)
in order to establish route on all devices (Fig.4.2.2.2) after each node know in advance
the route to the coordinator and data will be send.
The ZigBee modules support both transparent and API (Application Programming
Interface) communication mode. When operating in transparent mode, the modules act as
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a line replacement and all data received is queued up for RF transmission. API mode is
an alternative to transparent mode in the sense that all data entering and leaving the
module is contained in Packets. We use the API mode because is recommended when
receiving RF data from multiple nodes, and we need to know which node sent which
data. API allow us supporting multiple ZigBee end devices and routers, which is the case
for our application since knowing the source address allows us to locate the parking
meter. All the node addresses and their locations are stored in a database.
There are a lot of advantages for Zigbee using parking meters, Such as No need
for huge number of parking control officers to detect and register infraction. By using this
type of parking meter faster service is provided. It is cost efficient ie; the developed
Zigbee based system is the less expensive than other wireless media. With ZigBee
module, the range is better than that offered by the other wireless transmission
technology like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Also it is a Real time service ie; the parking violation
will be detected and send simultaneously to the central station.
Performance of the Zigbee wireless communication module integrated with chip
antenna shown in fig: 4.2.2.3.
Fig: 4.2.2.3 Module delivery rate.
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Also the range limit for the Zigbee modules is about 110 meter for both the packet
delivery and the sensitivity.
Fig: 4.2.2.4 Unicast API data transmission to the coordinator.
The format of the packet sent, also called API frame is fixed by the manufacturer
and has several standard fields. The manufacturer has developed several types of packets.
Here give an example used to send unicast data (Fig. 4.2.2.5) from parking meter to the
Coordinator located in the control station.
Fig: 4.2.2.5 Unicast API data transmission to the coordinator.
This format of API frame is the most used in the application. In fact, if an
infraction occurred the concerned parking meter will send data to the control station in
this format including data, length and checksum fields.
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CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION
The paper concluded that succeeded to implement the smart parking meter and the
Ad Hoc network with mesh routing. The API packet delivery was successfully completed
and the infraction detection resulted in an automatic way. The level of reflectivity and
attenuation in the wireless transmission is related to the snow density and weather
condition. The system could operate with good deliverance rates in severe conditions
which allows for better results under ordinary conditions. Zigbee wireless parking meter
network allows drivers to quickly locate and navigate available parking spaces, the
operating costs of a this wireless ad hoc parking meter is less than that of the wireless
parking meter using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Also only a less number of parking control
officers are required. And the range of this parking meter is better than that offered by
other wireless transmission technology. The parking violation will be easily detected and
can solve quickly.
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REFERENCES
[1] Zgaren Mohamed, Habib Hamam,“wireless ad hoc network of parking meters”.
[2] P. Basu, T.D.C. Little, “Networked Parking Spaces:”Architecture and Applications”.
Department of Electrical and Computer EngineeringBoston University,
[3] Sidhu B., Singh H., and Chhabra A. (2007) "EmergingWireless Standards WiFi,
ZigBee and WiMAX", WorldAcademy of Science, Engineering and Technology.
[4] P. Basu, T.D.C. Little,” Wireless Ad Hoc Discovery of ParkingMeters”.Department
of
Electrical and Computer EngineeringBoston University,
[5] Shobhit Shanker, Syed Masud Mahmud,”An Intelligent Architecture for
Metropolitan
Area Parking Control and Toll Collection”, IEEE student members.
[6] https://www.google.co.in.
[7] en.wikipedia.org.
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