Smart Parking System — Project Summary
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Project Goal: Use IoT to detect parking-slot availability, display it on an
LCD at the entrance, and control a gate barrier automatically.
Hardware components
Arduino UNO — central controller
IR proximity sensors (×6) — one per parking spot to detect
vehicle presence
20×4 LCD (with I2C module) — displays total/free slots and
per-zone status at the parking entrance
Servo motor — barrier/gate actuator for entry/exit control
Working
1. Each IR sensor monitors a parking slot (occupied = sensor
triggered).
2. Arduino reads sensors periodically, counts free vs occupied
slots, and updates the LCD through the I2C interface.
3. When a vehicle arrives at the gate, a simple trigger (button or
an additional IR/ultrasonic sensor) signals Arduino to open
the barrier via the servo if slots are available; otherwise the
gate remains closed.
4. The LCD at the main gate shows: Total slots, Occupied,
Available, and optionally a simple per-slot indicator
(e.g., S1: OCC S2: FREE ...).
5. System logic prevents entry when no free slot exists and logs
simple counts (can be extended to timestamp entries/exits).
Benefits
Low-cost, easy-to-build prototype using o -the-shelf
components.
Real-time local display reduces driver circling and
congestion.
Modular — can extend to networked IoT later (Wi-Fi module)
for remote monitoring or analytics.