University of Bahrain

College of Information Technology

Department of Computer Engineering

ITCE419: Wireless Sensor Networks

Term Research Paper Project

WSN and vehicle parking

Parking Management in shopping malls

Abstract

This paper presents a solution to reduce traffic congestion in the shopping malls parking

area which has become a big problem in Bahrain, smart parking is one of the solutions

and especially vehicle detection technology the paper presents several Wireless Sensor

Nodes (WSN) to apply this technique with its advantages, disadvantages and the

functioning way, after comparing all the WSN, the node with ultrasonic sensor was

chosen as the best and most suitable one to solve our problem.

Introduction

According to the general directorate of traffic in Bahrain the percentage of cars in the

streets has increased about 50% in 10 years, due to this high increase of cars, the car

parking and transport infrastructure cannot handle this inflation of cars.

we have heavy traffic congestion and a lack of car parking in most areas, in this paper

will focus on the car parking management side and how to use the smart parking system

method to reduce the congestions inside the shopping malls using the vehicle detection

technologies.

Related work:

The smart parking system has benefits for the operators and patrons as well. For the car

park operators, all the information about the parking area will be known (the availability

of parking space).

For the patron also will get benefit from the smart parking system as all the area can be

fully organized, so will save the time and effort.

Moreover, can get benefit also in term of the environment, will reduce the level of

pollution by decreasing the vehicle emission and reduced the fuel consumption as well.

9 different sensors will be studied using to detect the vehicle, RFID, ILDs, ultrasonic,

Active infrared, Magnetometers, Piezoelectric, Pneumatic, and Microwave sensor.

Identifying the correct technology for vehicle detection application can be challenging,

and there are many factors must be taken into consideration, such as task, sensing range,

size of the target, sensor mounting, and if the application is primarily inside or outside.

Vehicle Detection Sub-system (VDS)

Vehicle Detection Sub-system is used in parking lot area to check its state in real time

and collect information about the existing vehicles, like the number of vehicles, number

of available parking spaces and can be used to perform other functions, after collecting

all the information’s the next step is to send them to the sub-system to process it and

report the data, there are a variety of sensors nodes that can perform this task.

Vehicle Detection Technology

1. Radio-frequency identification (RFID): it is a useful sensor and an automatic

identification method. The system normally consists of 3 units:

1- Transceiver: used to send and read information from the transponder.

2- Transponder (tag): It is a microchip, need to place in every vehicle which containing

identifying information and an antenna that transmits this data to the Transceiver

3- Antenna: emits radio signals to activate the tag. It is the conduit between the tag and

the transceiver, which controls the system’s data communication.

This method is low-cost installation, it is perfect to use it for employees parking, but

difficult to apply it for public parking.

Figure (1): RFID Reader for Gate Control & Card Access

2. Inductive loop detectors (ILDs)

Inductive loop detectors are wire loops placed on the parking lot floor that generates
an electromagnetic field and it is connected directly to the inductance of the loop to
control it, when a vehicle passes on the loop the oscillation changes. This technology
is flexible and can be used to implement a wide range of applications, in addition, it
provides accuracy in data.

On the other hand, it requires multiple detectors for a particular location which can be

expensive due to maintenance works moreover the wires get affected from the traffic

and temperature, according to studies, Inductive loop detectors are not affected by

weather factors such as fog, snow, and rain.

Figure (2): ILD connected to data collection equipment.

3. Ultrasonic Sensor:

ultrasonic sensors transmit pulse waveforms between 25 to 50 kHz to measure the

distance and receive the reflected wave from the target to the sensor.

It’s measure the distance to the target by measuring the time between the emission

and reception.

Figure (3): Ultrasonic sensor detection principle

To calculate the distance: L = 1/2 × T × C

L: distance, T: time between the emission and reception, C: the sonic speed.

temperature changes and extreme air turbulence affect the performance of the sensor.

4. Active infrared sensor

Active infrared sensors detect vehicles by transmitting infrared energy and detect the

reflected energy resulting from the presence of the vehicle in the way, this kind of

sensors can measure the range and speed of the vehicle moreover its self-illuminating

which means it will work even in the dark as good as it works in the light, however its

sensitive towards environmental conditions such as fog and snow storms which prevent

the transmitted infrared energy to detect vehicles.

 Figure (4): Active infrared sensor generating a scanning beam.

5. Magnetometers (Induction or search coil magnetometer)

Induction or search coil magnetometer detects vehicle by measuring the change in

magnetic flux lines resulting from the passing vehicle, the advantage of this sensor is

that it’s not affected by the environmental conditions such as fog, snow, and rain.

Moreover, it can handle the traffic better than the loops, however, it needs a special

design for the sensor and signal processing software to detect the parked vehicles.

6. Video Image Processors (VIP)

A video image processor (VIP) is a combination of software and hardware which

extracts desired information from data provided by a conventional TV camera or an

infrared camera.

A video image processor can detect occupancy, speed, count, and presence. It produces

an image of several lanes, It operates in the following manner: the operator selects

several vehicle detection zones within the field of view of the camera, then applied the

Image processing algorithms in order to extract the desired information.

Advantages of VIP is the ability to mount it above the road and the disadvantages are

the need to overcome detection artifacts due by shadows, weather, and reflections from

the roadway surface.

7. Piezoelectric Sensor

A type of sensors that generates an electric signal when a force is applied. Usually, the

piezoelectric sensor is made of ceramic or crystal. There are many types of piezoelectric

sensors, but the main types are:

 Acceleration sensor: used usually in spark ignition, e.g. in lighters to generate

a flame.

 Pressure sensor: used for measuring pressure in fluids (gases and liquids).

 Force sensors: which reacts to force applied and acts like a button.

Figure (4): Examples of piezoelectric sensor.

The main advantages of piezoelectric sensors are the accuracy and stability, and the

main disadvantages are its sensitivity to the heat and dissolving when high humidity,

this type can replace the simple button in the smart parking system in parking lots.
8. Pneumatic Road Tube Sensor

Pneumatic road tube sensor is rubber tubes placed on roads in a certain configuration.

When a car passes the road and a pair of car wheels touches the tube, air pressure is

created and passed over the tube. The pressure closes an air switch, generating an

electric signal that transmitted to counters or analysis applications.

Figure (5): Pneumatic road tube sensor.

The maintainability of road tubes makes it a favorable option to use for car parks. Also,

it can either used permanently or temporarily. It is also low cost. Despite these

advantages, it can be inaccurate when passing trucks, and it is sensitive to temperature.

It can be cut and vandalized.

9. Microwave Radar

The microwaves are the electromagnetic waves with a wavelength ranging from 1m to

1 mm. Radar is detection and direction system that used for determining objects

depending on the range, angle, location or velocity of the target object.

The radar consists of an antenna that transmits electromagnetic waves that will reflect,

and then the antenna receives the reflected waves.

The superiority of microwave radar is the ability of detection even when bad weather

statuses such as fog, rain or snow, the sensor can detect vehicles in the dark also. But

has many challenges, like limited range and interference with other signals.

Comparison and analysis

In this table, there will be a Comparison between Vehicle detection technologies

Indoor
Vehicle Detection Max Sensing Size of
No Mounting
Sensors Range Target /outdoor

Indoor and mounted

1 RFID 10 – 50 feet All Sizes
outdoor overhead

Inductive loop Very close Indoor and Mounted on the

2 All Sizes
detectors (ILDs) ranges outdoor road

mounted on the
3 Ultrasonic Sensor 4 meters All Sizes
Indoor ceiling

mounting for
Active infrared 100-300
4 both emitter
All Sizes
sensor Indoor
meters
and receiver

Very close Indoor and Mounted on the

5 Magnetometers All Sizes
ranges outdoor road

Video Image Several Indoor and mounted above

6 All Sizes
Processors (VIP) meters outdoor the road
 Piezoelectric
7 Must touches On the road
All Sizes Indoor
Sensor

Pneumatic Road Indoor and

8 Must touches On the road
All Sizes
Tube Sensor outdoor

Microwave Indoor and mounted

9 Limited range All Sizes
Radar outdoor overhead

Depending on the above research summary, the ultrasonic sensor is the best choice for

the shopping mall, the ultrasonic sensor designed for mounting on the ceiling and

detecting the parking space availability

Why this sensor was selected:

1. Easy to installation and maintenance.

2. Low cost

3. It can be used in dark place

4. not highly affected by weather (dirt, dust)

Conclusion

In this survey, we have study different vehicle detection technology of smart parking

system, this technique helps us to optimize the use of parking spaces.

we are study the sensor technologies used in detecting vehicles, each sensor has

advantages, However, there are some disadvantages for each one, this depends on the

methods we are going to use it for and if we are used it indoor or outdoor.
References

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