There have been a whopping number of vehicles on the road over the past few years. But the main drawback is the road network and width of road tracks are not up to the mark, especially in urban cities. This results in a parking crisis in all urban cities. At this stage, we can implement a smart parking system that replaces the conventional parking systems with IoT devices by RFID (Radio-frequency Identification).
The use of RFID technology will result in a significant reduction in transaction costs. RFID will provide better control over parking lot management as well as the convenience for consumers to get all the details on their IoT devices.
It helps in reducing manpower thereby reducing the cost. Thanks to the intelligent parking solution, all available parking spaces as well as the cost are managed and visible digitally. In addition, clients are able to make direct payments through RFID.
RFID Fundamentals
RFID identification detects the presence of an object by using radio waves or signals. This technology is made up of two major components.
- RFID reader
- RFID tag
There have been various forms of RFID, such as RFID readers, RFID scanners, RFID barcode scanners, RFID controllers. However, there are two other important kinds of RFID.
- Active RFID
- Passive RFID
Active RFID:
It uses radiofrequency energy to communicate between a tag and a reader; tags are powered differently. It uses an internal power (battery) inside the tag to provide power to the tag and its RF communication Circuit.
Passive RFID:
Whereas passive RFID absorbs and stores a small amount of energy from the reader’s signal to generate a rapid response. Passive RFID is easy to operate but at the same time, it requires a very powerful signal from the reader.
RFID integrated Smart Parking Model
Registration
Customers must fill up the registration form to opt for RFID based parking allotment. It’s a very hassle-free task. All they have to do is, visit the service provider’s software or app, fill out the required details and the parking lot will issue a unique RFID tag for your car identification.
Once you get that tag you are ready to link your tag with app/software and find the nearby parking slot at your fingertips. It also incorporates a contactless payment solution that enables customers to pay digitally directly from their digital wallets.
At Parking Lots
It manages the check-ins and check-outs of the vehicles at the parking lot. When an individual enters the parking area, their vehicle’s information is read by the RFID reader, which then checks the database to see if the person is registered, and the barrier is open by allotting a slot to park his or her vehicle. The vehicle’s check-in time shall be recorded.
At the time of check-out, the vehicle’s check time is recorded, and the vehicle is authenticated using its ID card. If an unauthorized user attempts to enter the vehicle, the barrier remains closed.
Vehicles may not be parked unless they have been registered with the organization. Only those who have registered their vehicles with the organization are permitted to park.
What’s more, RFID Contactless Payments enable parking lot owners to be paid directly into their bank account.
RFID Payment Technology
RFID Payment technology is divided mainly into two parts: RFID tags and RFID readers. Readers are installed at the Parking Lot entry and exit points. Readers will read the RFID tags at these entry and exit points. RFID tags are unique to each vehicle. These data logs will be produced into the database on the server.
In addition, each user holding an RFID tag will need to maintain a certain amount in his wallet linked to a particular RFID tag. Automatic amounts will be deducted from these wallets at the exit point based on the data on the server, and the user will be notified via mobile device.
As a result, resources such as paper and time are saved.
RFID Smart Parking System Advantages
- Zero human intervention with a fully automated parking system
- Automatic gate barrier for entry and exit
- Empty slot detection and intimation over phone/ IoT devices
- User-friendly system
- RFID payment solutions allow direct payment from the wallet.
- Digital receipt helps in environmental sustainability
- Reduction in cost and improved efficiency
- Smart parking systems base on RFID can be design to provide car owners with both prepaid and postpaid card facilities, depend on how frequently they use the lot
- Eliminates the need to maintain manual records, increasing the accuracy and productivity of staff
In a nutshell
RFID is extremely cost-effective. It offers secure parking systems that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This technology provides businesses and communities with hands-free control, allowing only authorized vehicles to enter.
RFID parking is among the very few real-time smart parking applications with a short period return on investment. RFID’s scope is being expanded in order to find new applications for smart parking. As it will also allow the service provider to put a speed limit in the parking area. Future possibilities are endless with RFID integration with Smart Parking System.
