Abstract:
The "SpotMate" Smart Parking System is an innovative solution designed to address the pressing parking challenges at Bahria University. As the university’s academic infrastructure grows, so does its vehicular population, resulting in an intensified scramble for parking spaces. Current systems, which are largely manual, do not offer real-time updates, often leading to inefficiencies in parking allocation and user frustrations. SpotMate seeks to remedy this by offering a seamless combination of hardware and software to assist users in quickly locating vacant parking spaces. The system primarily operates via a mobile application that presents real-time data on available spots. Through this, users can not only view the parking status but also reserve spots, which are then marked with QR codes to confirm reservations. In instances of unauthorized parking, the system allows users to report such occurrences, further ensuring parking integrity. What sets SpotMate apart is its ability to leverage the existing parking hardware, negating the need for expensive and extensive hardware overhauls. It employs modern technological strategies, providing a responsive, real-time, user-friendly interface. The system underscores the importance of convenience and efficiency, making it a promising solution for the university’s parking woes. This project encompasses a detailed examination of various smart parking systems, considering factors such as their technological foundation, hardware requirements, real-time responsiveness, and user experience. While many existing solutions heavily rely on costly hardware installations and manual reservation methods, SpotMate promises real-time accuracy and user convenience without incurring significant additional costs. In essence, SpotMate represents the future of smart parking at Bahria University, aiming to streamline the parking process, conserve resources, and significantly enhance the overall user experience.