IoT and Android Based Motorway Signboard Localization
There are many chances of getting car accidents on highways and motorways or the car might stop at any location due to technical issues. It becomes quite difficult for the car owner to identify his exact location to the Motorway rescue team in such circumstances. Eventually, it will cause an in
2025-06-28 16:28:01 - Adil Khan
IoT and Android Based Motorway Signboard Localization
Project Area of Specialization Internet of ThingsProject SummaryThere are many chances of getting car accidents on highways and motorways or the car might stop at any location due to technical issues. It becomes quite difficult for the car owner to identify his exact location to the Motorway rescue team in such circumstances. Eventually, it will cause an increase in death rates in case of accidents and longer waiting time in case of technical issues in a car. To overcome the delays in rescue operations during accidents, the motorway authorities have installed many signboards along a motorway that show a specific location number. In the proposed system, the GPS coordinates of these signboards containing motorway location numbers will be collected and stored in an android based application. For this purpose, an android application will be developed that will compare the GPS coordinates of a target vehicle with the stored GPS coordinates in the application to localize the vehicle's position on the motorway. Moreover, an internet of the things-based system will be developed for fog detection on the motorway.
Project ObjectivesThe project’s main objectives are given as follows:
- To collect Motorway signboard location data.
- To understand Android studio and develop an Android app.
- To compare GPS coordinates of the target vehicle with that of signboards.
- To calculate the distance of signboards from a target vehicle.
- To install hardware on motorway signboards including fog sensors, GSM module, and Arduino.
- To collect fog data and send it to the target vehicle via the GSM module.
On highways and motorways, there are many chances of getting car accidents or the car might stop at any location due to technical issues. Figure 1 shows the motorway accidents data in Paksitan during 2020-2021.
Figure 1: Motowray accident data in Pakistan
In such circumstances, it becomes quite difficult for the car owner to identify his exact location to the Motorway rescue team. Eventually, it will cause the increase in death rates in case of accidents and longer waiting time in case of technical issues in a car. Moreover, in fogy weather, the number of car accidents also increases which increases the death rate.
To overcome the delays in rescue operation during accidents, the motorway authorities have installed many sign boards along a motorway that show a specific location number. The first 3 sign boards are installed at a distance of 2km and then the fourth one is installed at a distance of 4km.Therefore, there are 4 signboards within 10 km on the motorway. However, if the accident occurs in a region where the signboards are installed at a distance of 4 km, it would become quite difficult for the victim to locate the signboard. To solve this problem, data of signboards showing location number and their GPS coordinates will be collected. Figure 2 shows the motorway signboard.
Figure 2: Motowray singn board with Location number
Methodology:
A. Location Inquiry
First of all, the GPS coordinates of motorway signboards located between chach interchange and Burhan interchange will be collected and stored in the database of an android app as shown in Figure 3. The android user who would like to inquire about his location on motorway will generate a request using android app. Based on this request, the current GPS coordinates of vehicle will be compared with the GPS coordinates data stored in android database. The android app will try to deteremine the two singboard number between which the user is currently present. Once a match is found, the android app displays a message that the user is present between signboadrd x and y as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Location inquirey process
B. Fog detection:
As shown in Figure 4, the hardware will be installed on motorway signboard containing Arduino, fog sensor and GPRS SIM808 module. The Arduino after receiving fog information from fog sensor will transmit a message containg GPS coordinates of motorway sign board to android app via GPRS SIM808. The android app after receiving the message compares the received GPS coordinates with current vehicles' GPS coordiates to caluculate the distance of moving vehilce from the fog location and dispalys an alert message to the user as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Fog detection process
C. Flow Chart
The flow chart for the location inquiry process is shown in figure 5. After initiating a request by the user, the app compares the current location of vehicle with the database. If a match is found, the app displays sign board numbers
Figure 5: Flow chart for location inquiry
Benefits of the ProjectA layman can use our app.
The app user can communicate his exact location to rescue teams in emergency situations.
The risk of accidents can be reduced in foggy weather by quick alert messages.
The user can receive advance alert messages regarding upcoming rest areas and interchanges.
Technical Details of Final DeliverableThe aim of the research is the development of IoT and android based motorway signboard localization that reduces the death rates in case of accidents and longer waiting time in case of technical issues in a car. For this purpose, we will install, Arduino, fog sensor, and GPRS SIM808 module on motorway signboards. To interact with motorway signboards, an android application will be developed to localize the position of the vehicle in case of accidents or technical issues and to generate alert messages in case of foggy weather.
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry TransportationOther Industries Security Core Technology Internet of Things (IoT)Other TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 79996 | |||
| Arduino uno | Equipment | 6 | 1900 | 11400 |
| GPRS SIM808 | Equipment | 6 | 5500 | 33000 |
| Fog sensor | Equipment | 6 | 4266 | 25596 |
| Miscellaneous equipment used for assembling | Miscellaneous | 2 | 5000 | 10000 |