Smart Parking SensorsMollie CannonENGR 51812/4/12

The Problem

•Number of cars on the road is increasing•Motorists struggle to find available

parking•Parking = source of frustration, CO2

emissions, waste of fuel, traffic jams

Taken from Google Images

The Solution

•Sensors that determine if a spot is occupied or not

•Data sent to smart phones and other devices to display where parking is available

Taken from Google Images

Types of Car Detection Sensors

1. Intrusive: installed beneath the pavement• Examples: active infrared sensors, inductive

loops, magnetometers, magnetoresistive sensors, pneumatic road tubes, piezoelectric cables, weigh-in-motion sensors

2. Non-intrusive: device mounted on a surface above or below parking space Examples: microwave radar, passive

acoustic array sensors, passive infrared sensors, RFID, ultrasonic, video image processing

Non-Intrusive Video Image Processing

Taken from Mitsubishi Electric

Video Image Processing•Analyzes video imagery to detect changes

between successive frames using CCTV

•RabbitCore Microcontroller image processing module detects space vacancy from CCTV feed

•Data analyzed on microcontroller before sent through Zigbee Wireless Sensor Network (WSN)

•Video sensor determines if space available

Video Image Processing

Positives• Low maintenance• Cost effective

Negatives• Problems due to incorrect

interpretation of data• Poor lighting around

camera leads to shadows mistaken as cars

IntrusiveMagnetoresistive

Taken from Libelium

Libelium Magnetic Field Sensor

•Detects presence of car through change in magnetic field

•Uses permalloy magnetic field sensor (MSF)

Taken from Libelium

Magnetic Field Sensor

•Thin film of permalloy•Film integrated in Wheatstone bridge

where resistance between 600-1200 Ω; Vsupply= 5V

•3-axis sensor•Output amplified and filtered•Converted from analog to digital•Limiting hysteresis effects

Node Placement

•Buried in pavement under parking spaces•Info relayed to rest of sensor network

through Waspmote’s Zigbee radio•Placement in ground depends on type of

parking spot

Libelium Sensor

•Can be programmed by USB connection or through wireless network

•Software upgrades performed over radio network so sensors remained buried

•Powered through two Lithium non-rechargeable batteries

Streetline

•Parking app for smart phone•Gives real time info on open parking

spaces

Future of Smart Parking Sensors•Used to predict future parking patterns•Used for pricing strategies•Contribute to smart cities

References1. http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4216891/

Smart-parking-sensor-platform-helps-city-motorists-save-time-and-fuel

2. http://www.libelium.com/documentation/waspmote/smart-parking-sensor-board_eng.pdf

3. http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-products/electronic-product-releases/operating-systems/4224976/Streetline-Unveils-Next-Generation-Smart-Parking-App-Platform--Parker%E2%84%A2

4. http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/ansinet/itj/2009/114-127.pdf5. http://sfpark.org/how-it-works/6. http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/ansinet/itj/2009/.101-113.pdf