| Where To Buy? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Components | Distributor | Link To Buy | |
| 1 | LEDs | Amazon | Buy Now | |
| 2 | Resistor | Amazon | Buy Now | |
| 3 | LCD 16x2 | Amazon | Buy Now | |
| 4 | Arduino Mega 2560 | Amazon | Buy Now | |
As you all already know the importance of traffic lights and their usage has solved a number of traffic problems, traffic is becoming denser on each road in the whole world by the hour. This leads us to consider traffic density at such roads as well. A number of different solutions have been developed in recent times to help with this problem such as roundabouts. This is done so to ensure the safety of vehicles on road and of people walking on pedestrian walks. With the world going towards automation and autonomous systems, this is the right time to switch traffic lights to an autonomous traffic light system too and make the system intelligent.
We will be going through how to make an autonomous traffic system by using Arduino as a microcontroller. However, we’re not making an actual system rather we will be making a simulation of the said traffic system on a circuit simulating software Proteus. So make sure you already have the latest version of Proteus installed on your PCs and laptops. If not, you should first install the Proteus Software by following the embedded link. Proteus is open database software, meaning people can easily make their own circuit simulating libraries for the software and can easily integrate those libraries. This helps in making the software versatile and easy to use. You can easily add your own components or download libraries of components and place them within the software.
To start working with this project, you need to install and include the following libraries on your Proteus software:
This is a smart 4-way traffic light system. The pedestrian lights work such that whenever a certain traffic light is green its opposite pedestrian lights turn on. An addition of ultrasonic sensors have been made in the traffic light sequence. One ultrasonic sensor is placed at each traffic light. Each ultrasonic sensor controls the time of their respective green traffic light. When the ultrasonic sensor output is high, the traffic light opens for one second, when the ultrasonic sensor output is intermediate the traffic light opens for two seconds and when the ultrasonic sensor output is low the traffic lights open for 3 seconds.
The main components and their use in this project is given below:
We will go through the details of some of the important components being used in this project.
Arduino is an open-source programmable board that serves as a microcontroller and processes information based upon inputs and gives information to actuators in terms of output. Arduino Mega is based upon the chip ATmegaGA2560 and has 53 digital I/O pins.
Liquid Crystal Displays used in electronics are of two basic sizes, 16x2 and 24x2. These represent the number of columns and rows of the LCD. Each pixel can store one character in it. It is also known as a character LCD. It comes equipped with a backlight. The intensity or glow of the backlight can be controlled by attaching a potentiometer at specified pins.
Figure 2: LCD display
An ultrasonic sensor uses SONAR technology to identify objects. It is basically used to find the distance of objects from the sensor. The ultrasonic sensor works by sending out ultrasonic waves and when these waves or parts of waves hit an object, they are reflected backward and the time from their propagation to their return is then noted. This time is then converted into the distance because we already know the speed by which those waves are traveling.
Figure 3: Ultrasonic Sensor
In order to simulate this project on Proteus software, we will first make the circuit diagram on Proteus. After that, we will write our code on Arduino IDE software and integrate it with the circuit made in Proteus.
Open Proteus and open a new project. Import the following components in your Proteus worksheet.
Place the component in your worksheet as illustrated in the figure below:
Figure 5: Placement of components
After placing the components, make the connections as follows:
With this, your circuit connections are complete and we will now move on to the firmware setup of this circuit.
We have divided the Arduino code in 3 segments:
We will look at these sections separately now.
The first step in the code is the declaration of variables that we will utilize in our program. At first is the declaration of ultrasonic sensor pins and setting them up with their respective pins of Arduino board. The syntax of this code is as follows.
Figure 6: Ultrasonic declaration code
Now we will include the library of LCD into our Arduino program, you can download this library from within the software. After that we will declare the LCD by defining the LCD pins. The syntax for which is as follows:
In the next step, we will declare traffic light variables and define their Arduino pins.
Figure 8: Traffic light variable declaration
Now, we will declare the variables of pedestrian LEDs and then allot them their Arduino pins being used in the circuit.
Figure 9: Declaration of pedestrian LEDs
Now, there are two variables being used for each ultrasonic sensor for the calculation of their distance and time duration. We will declare those variables now.
Figure 10: Declaration of variables being used for calculations
Void setup is the part of Arduino program that only runs once, in this section the program that only needs to run once is put, such as declaring pins as output pins or input pins.
Only the echo pins of ultrasonic sensor are input pins while all other pins are going to be output pins for this project.
We will first set up ultrasonic pins as follows:
Now we will declare traffic light pins as output pins. The syntax for this is given as follows:
Figure 12: Setup of Traffic light Pins as Output
Now we will setup our pedestrian LEDs.
Figure 13: Setup of Pedestrian LEDs as Output
Now we will initialize our LCD, this basically tells the microcontroller to start the LCD and give power to it. The syntax is given below.
Figure 14: Initializing LCD
This part of Arduino Program runs in a loop and consists of the main code of the program in which all the calculations are being done.
In the first part of the program, we will set the trigger pin of the first ultrasonic sensor to low and high. This would generate a pulse and send out a wave. After that we will read a pulse input from the echo pin. This will give us the duration in which the wave was propagated and returned. After that we will calculate the distance from the duration of the wave.
Figure 15: Syntax of 1st Ultrasonic Sensor
This distance calculation is for our first traffic light. Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value.
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop, the signal will turn green for three seconds. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
Figure 17: Arduino Code
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 1 and 2 will turn on to indicate transition.
Figure 18: Arduino Code
Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value.
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop of intermediate traffic, the signal will turn green for two seconds. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
Figure 19: Arduino Code
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 1 and 2 will turn on to indicate transition.
Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value again.
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop of low traffic, the signal will turn green for one second. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
Figure 21: Arduino Code
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 1 and 2 will turn on to indicate transition.
Figure 22: Arduino Code
Now we will set the trigger pin of the second ultrasonic sensor to low and high. This would generate a pulse and send out a wave. After that we will read a pulse input from the echo pin. This will give us the duration in which the wave was propagated and returned. After that we will calculate the distance from the duration of the wave.
Figure 23: Arduino Code
This distance calculation is for our Second traffic light. Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value.
Figure 24: Arduino Code
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop, the signal will turn green for three seconds. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 2 and 3 will turn on to indicate transition.
Figure 26: Arduino Code
Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value.
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop of intermediate traffic, the signal will turn green for two seconds. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
Figure 27: Arduino Code
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 2 and 3 will turn on to indicate transition.
Figure 28: Arduino Code
Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value again.
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop of low traffic, the signal will turn green for one second. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
Figure 29: Arduino Code
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 2 and 3 will turn on to indicate transition.
Now we will set the trigger pin of the third ultrasonic sensor to low and high. This would generate a pulse and send out a wave. After that, we will read a pulse input from the echo pin. This will give us the duration in which the wave was propagated and returned. After that we will calculate the distance from the duration of the wave.
Figure 31: Arduino Code
This distance calculation is for our third traffic light. Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value.
Figure 32: Arduino Code
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop, the signal will turn green for three seconds. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
Figure 33: Arduino Code
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 3 and 4 will turn on to indicate transition.
Figure 34: Arduino Code
Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value.
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop of intermediate traffic, the signal will turn green for two seconds. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 3 and 4 will turn on to indicate transition.
Figure 36: Arduino Code
Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value again.
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop of low traffic, the signal will turn green for one second. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
Figure 37: Arduino Code
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 3 and 4 will turn on to indicate transition.
Figure 38: Arduino Code
Now we will set the trigger pin of the fourth ultrasonic sensor to low and high. This would generate a pulse and send out a wave. After that, we will read a pulse input from the echo pin. This will give us the duration in which the wave was propagated and returned. After that, we will calculate the distance from the duration of the wave.
Figure 39: Arduino Code
This distance calculation is for our fourth traffic light. Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value.
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop, the signal will turn green for three seconds. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
Figure 41: Arduino Code
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 4 and 1 will turn on to indicate transition.
Figure 42: Arduino Code
Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value.
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop of intermediate traffic, the signal will turn green for two seconds. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 4 and 1 will turn on to indicate transition.
Figure 44: Arduino Code
Now we will use the if loop to check our distance value again.
If the value falls between our set limit for the loop of low traffic, the signal will turn green for one second. This will also be displayed on the LCD.
Figure 45: Arduino Code
After that in our if loop, the yellow lights 4 and 1 will turn on to indicate transition.
Figure 46: Arduino Code
At first, after writing the code, generate its hex file and put that hex file on the Arduino board on your Proteus software. After that, run the simulation. The results of the simulation are shown below thoroughly.
At first, when sensor one gives the output within 500 cm, the traffic light will turn on for one second only.
Figure 47: Simulation Results
However, if the sensor one value is between 500 and 900 cm, the traffic light 1 will be green for 2 seconds with the LCD displaying the remaining time.
Figure 48: Simulation Results
If the sensor values are above 900 cm, then the lights will be green for 3 seconds.
When the sensor two gives the output within 500 cm, traffic light 2 will turn on for one second only.
Figure 50: Simulation Results
However, if the sensor two value is between 500 and 900 cm, the traffic light 2 will be green for 2 seconds with the LCD displaying the remaining time.
Figure 51: Simulation Results
If the sensor values are above 900 cm, then the lights will be green for 3 seconds.
Figure 52: Simulation Results
When sensor three gives the output within 500 cm, traffic light 3 will turn on for one second only.
However, if the sensor three value is between 500 and 900 cm, the traffic light 3 will be green for 2 seconds with the LCD displaying the remaining time.
Figure 54: Simulation Results
If the sensor values are above 900 cm, then the lights will be green for 3 seconds.
Figure 55: Simulation Results
When sensor four gives the output within 500 cm, traffic light 4 will turn on for one second only.
Figure 56: Simulation Results
However, if the sensor four value is between 500 and 900 cm, the traffic light 4 will be green for 2 seconds with the LCD displaying the remaining time.
Figure 57: Simulation Results
If the sensor values are above 900 cm, then the lights will be green for 3 seconds.
Figure 58: Simulation Results
Phew! I know that this was an extremely long project, but that is a part of an engineer’s life. Multiple receptions and running recurring patterns smoothly requires skill and patience only an engineer can possess. I hope you guys made it through. Kudos to your nerves of steel. Thanks for reading.
People are still choosing manual parking methods, which have a number of drawbacks, such as searching for a vacant spot in a parking lot without knowing if the lot is full or not, resulting in time and fuel waste. Vehicle safety is also a concern that may be addressed. We've all been in a position when we've spent a long time looking for parking at a location just to discover that none is available. You would think that if you knew the slots were full, you would've ended up finding another parking spot.
Based on these scenarios, we came up with the idea of a Car Parking System with Automatic Billing which will also reduce manpower such as security, booth attendants, etc., required in parking lots. Everything in the modern day is automated, and with this project, we can automate this procedure using simple electronics components and Arduino. Let's get started.
| Where To Buy? | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Components | Distributor | Link To Buy | |
| 1 | DS1307 | Amazon | Buy Now | |
| 2 | Keypad 4x3 | Amazon | Buy Now | |
| 3 | LCD 20x4 | Amazon | Buy Now | |
| 4 | Arduino Uno | Amazon | Buy Now | |
Instead of using real components, we'll use the Proteus Simulation tool to design this project. It's also a good habit to experiment with simulations before attempting to build everything with real components. By simulating an issue that may develop when working on actual components, we may identify the problem and avoid any damage to our components.
Proteus is an interesting software that lets you model and build electronics circuits. Despite having a huge library of electronics components, Proteus software lacks pre-installed modules such as Arduino boards, Ultrasonic sensors, RTC modules, LCD modules, and so on.
Now, we’ll start installing the libraries, which is needed for our project:
By clicking the button below, you can download the entire project, including Proteus Simulation and Arduino Code.
These are required components for Accident Detection, which are as follows:
The RS pin will be set to logic high to display the data on the LCD.
Distance = (Time x SpeedOfSound) / 2.
Speed of Sound: 340 meters per second i.e., 0.034Distance in Centimeters = (( Time taken by pulse signal (in microseconds) / 2) / 29)
Now, it’s time to start the design of the Proteus Simulation of our Car parking system
After importing all required components to the workplace, let’s move to connecting them.
Now we have done the circuit, it’s time to move to the coding side of this project.
We have completed the Proteus simulation circuit and Arduino code for the Car Parking project. And it is ready for testing.
As we can see that for 50% value on the pot ultrasonic sensor value is near to 500 cm and for 77% value on the pot ultrasonic sensor value is near to 850 cm.
Here it is not visible which button on the keypad has clicked but suppose we have clicked ‘1’ and if that location is vacant then it will display that message.
I hope you have a good understanding of how our Car parking system project works and that you have liked it. Although it’s a tough nut to crack in the first read, I strongly recommend you to read the logic part twice for better understanding. I believe we have covered almost everything, please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions in the comments section.
Thank you very much for reading this project. All the best for your projects!
// defines arduino pins numbers
const int trigPin = 12;
const int echoPin = 11;
// defines variables
long duration;
int distance;
void setup()
{
pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT); // Sets the trigPin as an Output
pinMode(echoPin, INPUT); // Sets the echoPin as an Input
Serial.begin(9600); // Starts the serial communication
}
void loop() {
// Clears the trigPin
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
// Sets the trigPin on HIGH state for 10 micro seconds
digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
// Reads the echoPin, returns the sound wave travel time in microseconds
duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
// Calculating the distance
distance= duration*0.034/2;
// Prints the distance on the Serial Monitor
Serial.print("Distance from the object = ");
Serial.print(distance);
Serial.println(" cm");
delay(1000);
}
Distance = (Speed of sound × Time)/2
In the tutorial Ultrasonic Sensor Arduino Interfacing, we have learnt about the pins and working principle of ultrasonic sensor to estimate the distance of an object from the sensor. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial. I have provided all the important details about ultrasonic sensor Arduino interfacing. If you find something missing, please let me know in comments, so that I can update the tutorial correspondingly. I will share further topics in my upcoming tutorials. Till my next post take care and bye :)We have designed this simulation after a lot of efforts that's why we have placed a very small amount of $50 on it so that engineering students can download it and get knowledge from it. Moreover, as its a complex project so when you buy it then there's a chance that you can't run it by yourself so we also offer a free service. If you got into any trouble while running this simulation then use our Contact Form we will help you out personally within 24 hours.
I have posted about the basics of Ultrasonic sensor and how it works in my previous post so I am not gonna go into that detail. If you haven't read it then I recommend that you should first read Interfacing of Ultrasonic sensor with Arduino. Now, let's get started with Interfacing of multiple ultrasonic sensor with arduino, which isn't that difficult. :)
Note:#define trigPin1 3
#define echoPin1 2
#define trigPin2 4
#define echoPin2 5
#define trigPin3 7
#define echoPin3 8
long duration, distance, RightSensor,BackSensor,FrontSensor,LeftSensor;
void setup()
{
Serial.begin (9600);
pinMode(trigPin1, OUTPUT);
pinMode(echoPin1, INPUT);
pinMode(trigPin2, OUTPUT);
pinMode(echoPin2, INPUT);
pinMode(trigPin3, OUTPUT);
pinMode(echoPin3, INPUT);
}
void loop() {
SonarSensor(trigPin1, echoPin1);
RightSensor = distance;
SonarSensor(trigPin2, echoPin2);
LeftSensor = distance;
SonarSensor(trigPin3, echoPin3);
FrontSensor = distance;
Serial.print(LeftSensor);
Serial.print(" - ");
Serial.print(FrontSensor);
Serial.print(" - ");
Serial.println(RightSensor);
}
void SonarSensor(int trigPin,int echoPin)
{
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
distance = (duration/2) / 29.1;
}
Simulation is a good starting point for projects but they are really far away from real world. It happened to me a lot of times that my simulations are working perfectly fine but when I design the same circuit in hardware then it says no I am not gonna work. :) So, the bottom line is never trust simulations, unless you properly test it on hardware. So, today I am gonna interface an Ultrasonic sensor with arduino and will check its output on the Arduino Serial Terminal.
| [ultimate_spacer height="13"] | [ultimate_spacer height="13"] |
#define trigPin1 8
#define echoPin1 7
long duration, distance, UltraSensor;
void setup()
{
Serial.begin (9600);
pinMode(trigPin1, OUTPUT);
pinMode(echoPin1, INPUT);
}
void loop() {
SonarSensor(trigPin1, echoPin1);
UltraSensor = distance;
Serial.println(UltraSensor);
}
void SonarSensor(int trigPin,int echoPin)
{
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
distance = (duration/2) / 29.1;
delay(100);
}