Reported by Pikiran Rakyat Daily (5/10), Do you often find yourself driving around looking for a parking space? Rafli Rifaldi, a student of the Information Technology Study Program at Widyatama University, often experiences this. Rafli recounted that he was once happy to find a parking space at a shopping center. However, when he approached it, he found that the space was not empty. The car next to it was parked too far forward, blocking part of the spot he was aiming for.
Based on his experience, this eighth-semester student at Widyatama University created a device model called smart parking. To optimize services for visitors, managers of office buildings, hotels, shopping centers, and similar establishments can apply this technology.
Smart parking has a simple concept, which is to use ultrasonic sensors connected to a microcontroller. Through ultrasonic sensors installed in each parking space (behind the car), it will detect whether the space is occupied or not. Whether the space is occupied or not can be seen through an indicator board, making it easier for parking managers to know the number and location of empty spaces.
Rafli mengatakan microcontroller yang digunakan mampu mencakup 8 sensor/mobil. Perangkat simulasinya memakan biaya Rp. 600.000. Namun pengaplikasiannya dipalangan bisa disesuaikan dengan kebutuhan dan kondisi gedung parkir. Untuk sensor ultrasonic misalnya, bisa digantin dengan metal detector sehingga deteksi mobil lebih presisi karena sensor ultrasonic kurang akurat. “Orang lewat pun terdeteksi oleh sensor sehingga bisa di kira lapak parkirinya terisi.” Kata pria asli Kota Bandung itu.
Lalu microcontroller pun dapat diganti dengan merek lain yang bisa menampung lebih banyak sensor. Microcontroller pun menentukan kualitas nyala lampu indicator. Merek yang digunakan oleh Rafli seharga Rp. 200.000, masih memungkinkan lampu indikator berkedip-kedip. Rafli menawarkan merek lain seharga Rp. 500.000 yang memastikan lampu indikator akan “ajek” menyala sesuai hasil sensor.
Rafli mengkhususkan perangkat buatannya untuk membantu mencari lahan parkir. Namun konsep tersebut jug bisa digunakan untuk membantu rekayasa lalu lintas. Sensor bisa dipasang sekitar 100 meter s.d 150 meter dari lampu lalu lintas atau pada jarak yang dinilai termasuk antrean panjang. Jika panjang antrean mobil sudah terdeteksi pada jarak tesebut, polisi atau pengontrol sistem lalu lintas, bisa memprioritaskan “lampu hijau” untuk lajut tersebut.
