iSCAPS - Innovative Smart Car Park System integrated with NFC technology and e-Valet function

Innovative Smart Car Parking System (iSCAPS) integrated with e-Valet technology is proposed in this paper. The e-Valet function works just like how a valet parking would function. It ensures parking lot availability for the incoming customer. Beforehand, the smart phone is installed with the android apps to fully enjoy the functions of iSCAPS. By using the mobile apps, customer may reserve parking lot in advance, to enable the customer to park at a later time. Instead of using the conventional “Season Pass” or ticket, iSCAPS uses the Near Field Communication (NFC) function of smart phone as parking ticket. With the mobile apps, communication will occur when the smart phone is placed near the NFC reader. Therefore, customer only needs to tap the smart phone on the designated reader to enter the car park and tap again on the way out to complete payment. Arduino microcontroller is used as the brain of the system and control the input output of the system. Furthermore, vehicle searching function is included, which helps customers to locate their vehicle when forgotten. With the proposed iSCAPS the usage of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) cards and paper tickets will be eliminated resulting lower cost, more convenience and eco-friendly.