Park Spot

Smart Temporary Parking Finder for Kerala Cities

70% Faster
Parking search time reduction
Eco-Friendly
Reduced fuel waste & emissions
Extra Income
For property owners
Real-Time
Live availability updates

Project Overview

The Smart Temporary Parking Finder (STPF) is a web-based platform designed to address the challenge of discovering and utilizing temporary parking spaces in urban areas of Kerala, such as Kochi (Cochin) and Thrissur. These spaces often emerge when owners demolish old buildings and temporarily convert cleared lots into parking areas while planning new construction.

Currently, these spots are underutilized because they are not well-advertised and unknown to motorists, leading to congestion in official parking zones. The app enables property owners to list their spaces, while motorists can search for real-time availability, book slots, and navigate to them. Integration with IoT sensors ensures accurate occupancy tracking, making it reliable for daily commuters, tourists, and event-goers in busy districts like Ernakulam in Kochi or the West Fort area in Thrissur.

Objectives

For Owners

Easy listing of temporary parking spaces with automated occupancy reporting to attract renters.

For Motorists

Real-time discovery of nearby available spots to reduce search time and fuel waste.

Overall Impact

Increase utilization of underused land in Kerala cities by 30-50% (based on similar IoT parking pilots), while providing data insights for urban planning.

Sustainability

Low-cost setup using open-source tools, scalable to other Kerala cities like Trivandrum.

System Architecture

The architecture is a hybrid IoT-web system with three layers:

Hardware Layer

Components: ToF Sensors, Microcontroller, WiFi Gateway

Function: Vehicle counting and occupancy detection

Cloud Layer

Components: Database (Firebase), API Server (Node.js)

Function: Store listings, process sensor data, handle bookings

User Layer

Components: Web App (React.js frontend), Mobile-Responsive Design

Function: Search, book, and view maps

Hardware Components

Cost-effective setup: ₹5,000-10,000 per space for 10-20 slots

Entry/Exit Gate Sensors
Type: Two Time-of-Flight (ToF) laser range sensors (VL53L0X or TOF10120)
Function: Detect vehicle height/distance to count ins/outs
Accuracy: Up to 99% in low-light conditions
Placement: One for entry, one for exit; solar-powered option available
Occupancy Sensors
Type: Overhead ToF sensors (4-6 units for a 10-slot lot)
Function: Measure distance to ground (empty: ~2-3m; occupied: <1m)
Integration: Connected to central hub for real-time slot tracking
Smart Device/Gateway
Type: ESP32 or Raspberry Pi Zero with WiFi module
Function: Aggregates sensor data and uploads to cloud via MQTT
Power: Battery/solar for reliability in temporary setups

Software Components

Backend
  • Tech Stack: Node.js/Express, MongoDB/Firebase
  • Features: Owner dashboard, sensor data ingestion, availability calculation
  • Security: JWT authentication, API keys for devices
Frontend
  • Tech Stack: React.js with Google Maps API
  • User Roles: Motorist and Owner views
  • Notifications: Push alerts via email/SMS (Twilio)

Key Features

  • Real-time parking availability tracking
  • Space listing & advertisement for owners
  • Pre-booking via QR scan at gate
  • Integration with Google Maps for navigation
  • UPI payment integration
  • Analytics dashboard for operators
  • Heatmap view for high-demand areas
  • AR overlay for slot guidance

Implementation Timeline

Phase Timeline Deliverables Cost Estimate
Phase 1 Month 1 Hardware prototype, MVP web app ₹20,000
Phase 2 Months 2-4 Pilot deployment (10 spaces in Kochi), API integration ₹1,00,000
Phase 3 Month 5+ Full launch, marketing ₹50,000/month

Benefits

Economic
  • • ₹10k-50k/month passive income for owners
  • • 10% platform commission
  • • Reduced parking search costs
Efficiency
  • • 20-30 min time savings per trip
  • • Real-time availability updates
  • • Pre-booking convenience
Environmental
  • • Lower emissions from reduced circling
  • • Energy-efficient ToF sensors
  • • Supports green city goals
Social
  • • Supports Kerala Smart City Mission
  • • Accessible pricing model
  • • Community-driven platform

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Rain Accuracy

Solution: Waterproof ToF sensors + ultrasonic backup for monsoons

Challenge: Low Internet

Solution: Offline mode with local caching + LoRaWAN as fallback

Challenge: User Adoption

Solution: Free trials for first month + partnerships with auto-rickshaw apps

Challenge: Legal Compliance

Solution: Tie-ups with Kochi Corporation for permits & regulations

Project Status

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