DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SMART CAR PARKING BOOKING AND PAYMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

Finding a suitable parking space in urban areas, particularly where the number of cars is high, can be quite stressful for drivers. This difficulty is mainly due to the lack of information about parking space availability. Consequently, drivers spend excessive time and fuel searching for parking, which contributes to traffic congestion and inappropriate parking practices. In Kigali city, the current parking system includes outdoor parking managed by Kigali Veterans Cooperative Service (KVCS) and indoor parking controlled by building owners. Despite these two categories, drivers still struggle to find available spaces, especially during rush hours, leading to increased traffic and inappropriate parking. to address this problem, I developed a Web application combined with a NodeMCU Microcontroller, termed the "Smart Car Parking Booking and Payment System." This system aims to help drivers find unoccupied parking spaces more efficiently, thus reducing the time and fuel spent searching for parking, alleviating traffic congestion, and minimizing inappropriate parking. Additionally, it aids parking space owners in monitoring and managing available spaces. The Smart Car Parking Booking and Payment System integrates various components, including RFID Readers, which scan RFID cards containing drivers' information, and sensors to detect available parking spaces. The data is transferred to a MySQL server via NodeMCU and displayed to users through a web interface accessible from anywhere or an LCD screen near the parking area. This facilitates easy and efficient location of available parking spaces.by reduce the time and fuel consumed by drivers searching for parking spaces, alleviate traffic congestion caused by cars circulating in search of parking, minimize inappropriate parking practices. And provide real-time monitoring and management of parking spaces for owners. The system was developed using an Agile software development methodology, emphasizing iterative progress through the stages of requirement gathering, design, implementation, testing, and release. Data collection techniques included user surveys and observation of current parking practices. The system design incorporated both hardware (NodeMCU, RFID readers, sensors) and software (web application, MySQL database) components. The Smart Car Parking Booking and Payment System presents a significant advancement in addressing parking challenges in urban areas, promoting efficient use of parking spaces, and contributing to smoother traffic flow and reduced congestion.