Smart parking reservation system using short message services (SMS)

This paper proposes a smart parking system to solve the problem of unnecessary time consumption in finding parking spot in commercial car park areas. A parking reservation system is developed in such a way that users book their parking spots through short message services (SMS). The SMS sent will be processed by a wireless communication instrumentation device called micro-RTU (Remote Terminal Unit). This micro-RTU will reply the confirmation of booking by giving the details of reservation like password and lot number. The password will be used to enter the parking area and valid for a certain period of time. The system is fully automated with the use of the Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC). This microcontroller is capable in storing information of empty parking spaces, provide passwords as well as allowing or denying access to the parking area. A prototype of a car park system has been designed to demonstrate the capability of the proposed work. The demonstration has proven the capability of the system to reserve the parking, gain entry to the parking area and hence eliminates the hassle of searching empty parking lots.