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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