i Novel Approach for Single Display Traffic light with Real Time Fault
Management System (Green Traffic Light)
PUBALAN S/O GANESON
A thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Electronic Engineering (Electronic Telecommunication)
With Honors
Faculty of Electronic and Computer Engineering UNIVERSITI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
ii
UNIVERSTI TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN ELEKTRONIK DAN KEJURUTERAAN KOMPUTER
BORANG PENGESAHAN STATUS LAPORAN
PROJEK SARJANA MUDA II
Tajuk Projek : Novel Approach for Single Display Traffic Light with Real Time Fault
Management (Green Traffic Light)
Sesi Pengajian : 2010/2011
Saya PUBALAN S/O GANESON
mengaku membenarkan Laporan Projek Sarjana Muda ini disimpan di Perpustakaan dengan syarat-syarat kegunaan seperti berikut:
1. Laporan adalah hakmilik Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.
2. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan untuk tujuan pengajian sahaja.
3. Perpustakaan dibenarkan membuat salinan laporan ini sebagai bahan pertukaran antara
institusi pengajian tinggi. 4. Sila tandakan ( √ ) :
SULIT*
(Mengandungi maklumat yang berdarjah keselamatan atau kepentingan Malaysia seperti yang termaktub di dalam AKTA RAHSIA RASMI 1972)
TERHAD* (Mengandungi maklumat terhad yang telah ditentukan oleh organisasi/badan di mana penyelidikan dijalankan)
TIDAK TERHAD
Disahkan oleh:
iii “I declare that this thesis entitled “Novel Approach for Single Display Traffic light with
Real time Fault Management System (Green Traffic Light)” is a result of my own
works except as cited in the references”
SIGNATURE: ………
NAME : PUBALAN S/O GANESON
iv “I, hereby declare that I have read this report an in my opinion this report is sufficient in
terms of scope and quality for the award of Bachelor of Electronic Engineering
(Electronic Telecommunication) With Honors”
SIGNATURE : ………
SUPERVISOR NAME: ENG. S. SIVA KUMAR
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would be grateful and thank God for I had done this project successfully.
Without the spirit and patience gifted to me, I would not be able to finish up this task.
Firstly, I would like to express my gratitude and special thanks especially to my
project supervisor Mr. Siva Kumar s/o Subramaniam for the guidance in the process to
implement and complete my project. I had learned a lot from him and by his teaching
and the information given, had make me strong to finish up this project. His inspiration,
patience, support and constant guidance all throughout the semester has help me to
finish up this project
I also would like to dedicate the special thanks for the lecturer Mr. Mazran Bin
Esro for the help and pleasure to give the information related to my project.
I would very much like to thanks each and every one of my beloved family
members whose give support and encouragement to me due to complete my project.
Your continuous support will always be my motivations towards success.
To all my beloved friends who provided me great in term of effort and ideas, I
vi
ABSTRACT
In the midst of energy escalating costs and the risk of global warming,
government and NGOs are now recognizing the benefits of using green technology to
reduce the environmental impact due to industrial or manufacturing process. Green
technology achieves innovation and alternative technologies in various fields by taking
in consideration on three main features which is recycle, reduce, reuse as core value in
the design stage. “Novel Approach for Single Display Traffic light with Real time Fault
Management System (Green Traffic Light)” is designed to implement the concept of
green technology into traffic lights. The aim of this research is to introduce single
display traffic light system as a revolution to the traditional three display traffic light
system. As government and NGO’s encourage green technology and green innovation
as a substitute to existing technology, the single display traffic light system could
enhance the value of green in the respective technology. The single display traffic light
system caters a few important features such as reduce manufacturing cost and
maintenance cost, less quantity of component, less industrial process and this will make
recyclability even better in the long run. The single display traffic light system also can
be powered by using renewable solar energy. The single display traffic light system is
designed to operate on full power (brightness) in day time and half power at night. By
using such a method will further optimize the energy which is consumed by the system.
The conventional traffic light system is a standalone system which is not efficient in
tracking faults, maintenance issues and operation of traffic light in real time basis. The
fault management system in Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication is
designed to detect fault within traffic light system and report the faults via short
message service (SMS) to monitoring station and respective authorities in real time
basis. Such an approach, could be best utilized by the management in enhancing the
efficiency of contractors, able to identify replaced components and directly save
vii
ABSTRAK
Di tengah meningkatnya kos tenaga dan risiko pemanasan global, kerajaan dan
badan bukan kerjaan menyeru pengunaan teknologi hijau dalam kehidupan harian untuk
mengurangkan kesan persekitaran akibat proses industri. Teknologi hijau menjadi salah
satu alternatif di pelbagai bidang, malah menitikberatkan pada tiga ciri utama teknologi
hijau iaitu kitar semula, mengurangkan dan menggunakan semula. “Pendekatan baru
untuk lampu lalu lintas dengan pengurusan kerosakna lampu lalu lintas dalam masa
nyata” direka untuk merialisasikan konsep teknologi hijau dalam pengunaan lampu lalu
lintas. Tujuan utama projek ini adalah untuk memperkenalkan satu paparan untuk tiga
penunjuk lampu lalu lintas sebagai revolusi kepada system lampu lalu lintas yang sedia
ada. Projek ini membawa beberapa cirri penting seperti mengurangkan kos pengeluaran,
kos penyelenggaran, proses indusri dan juga boleh mengurangkan dari segi kuanti
komponen. Sistem ini mampu beroperasi dan diaktifkan dengan mengunakan tenaga
solar. Pengunaan tenaga boleh dioptimumkan dengan adanya dua mode sistem dalam
lampu lalu lintas ini. Selain daripda itu, pengurusan kerosakan pada lampu lalu lintas
dalam masa nyata diperkenalkan dalam projek ini. Dimana setiap kerosakan pada lampu
lalu lintas akan dikesan dan melaporkan kepada pihak yang bertanggugjawab menerusi
perkhidmatan mesej ringkas dalam masa yang cukup pantas dan cekap. Pendekatan
seperti ini, boleh dimanfaatkan sebaik – baik oleh pihak pengurusan dalam
meningakatkan kecekapan kontraktor dan secara langsung boleh mengurang kos
viii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER TITLE PAGE
PROJECT TITLE
STATUS DECLARATION FORM ii
VERIFICATION OF WORK BY AUTHOR iii
VERIFICATION OF WORK BY SUPERVISOR iv
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS v
ABSTACT (ENGLSH VERSION) vi
ABSTRACT (MALAY VERSION) vii
TABLE OF CONTENTS viii
LIST OF FIGURES Xii
LIST OF TABLES xiii
LIST OF ABREVIATION xv
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background of traffic light 1
1.1.1 Traffic light display 2
1.1.2 Pedestrian crossing light indication 4
1.1.3 Traffic signal cabinet 5
1.1.4 Inductive loop and sensor 5
1.1.5 Video detection system 6
1.2 Traffic light and traffic management system 6
1.2.1 Manual fault alert approach 6
1.2.2 Online fault reporting 7
1.2.3 Computerized traffic management 8
ix 1.3 Novel Approach for single display traffic light with real time
fault management system (Green Traffic Light)
9
1.4 Objectives of studies 11
1.5 Scope of project 12
CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 13
2.1 First traffic light display unit 14
2.2 Conventional traffic light display 14
2.2.1 Comparison with conventional traffic light display with
Green traffic light display unit
15
2.3 Existing traffic light fault management system 16
2.3.1 Types of faults on traffic light 17
2.3.1.1 Electrical / Electronic fault detection 17
2.3.1.2 Mechanical fault detection 18
2.3.2 Comparison with fault management system 19
2.4 Programming language 20
2.4.1 C++ 20
2.4.2 PHP 21
2.4.3 Visual Basic.Net 22
2.5 Database management system (DBMS) 22
2.5.1 Microsoft Access / Structured Query Language (SQL) 23
2.5.2 MySQL 24
2.5.3 Oracle 25
CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 26
3.1 Flow chart 26
3.2 Project / System architecture 29
3.2.1 Green traffic light system architecture 29
x
3.2.1.2 control unit for automatic fault detector on traffic light 30
3.2.2 Real time fault management system architecture 31
3.3 Hardware specification 32
3.3.1 Surface Mount Technologies (SMT) 32
3.3.2 Global system for mobile communication (GSM) modem 35
3.3.2.1 Wavecom GSM modem 36
3.4 Communication setup 37
3.4.1 Short messaging service (SMS) as a medium 37
3.4.2 Serial port communication 38
3.4.2.2 Serial communication parameter 39
3.4.2.3 RS - 232 42
3.4.3 Implementation of SMS server with Vb.net integration 43
3.5 Software tools for hardware implementation 45
3.5.1 PCB design tool (Proteus) 45
3.5.2 Zelio Soft2 (Ver 4.3) 45
CHAPTER 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 49
4.1 Single display traffic light unit 49
4.2 Power control circuit 51
4.2.1 Day and night mode switching circuit 51
4.2.2 Water detection circuit 52
4.2.3 Flashing Circuit 52
4.3 Real time fault management system 53
4.4 Monitoring station application 56
CHAPTER 5 SUGGESTION FOR FUTURE WORK AND CONCLUSION 62
5.1 Suggestion for future work 62
xi
REFERENCES 65
Appendix A Single display printed circuit board
Appendix B Program of control unit
xii
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE TITLE PAGE
2.1 Comparison with conventional traffic light display with Green traffic
light display unit
15
2.2 Comparison with fault management system 19
2.3 Comparison between Access / SQL, MySQL and Oracle 25
3.1 Wavecome fastrack supreme GSM modem protocol 36
3.2 Characteristics of SMS 38
3.3 Standardized pin out for RS-232 on DB9 43
4.1 Single traffic light display unit 50
4.2 Current measurement for day and night mode 52
xiii
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE TITLE PAGE
1.1 Traffic signal elements 2
1.2 Halogen bulb traffic light 3
1.3 Various types of LED traffic light display 4
1.4 Pedestrian crossing light indication 4
1.5 Inductive Loop Traffic Detector 5
1.6 Manual fault alert approach 6
1.7 Online traffic light fault 7
1.8 Computerized traffic management 8
1.9 Red light enforcement camera 9
2.1 William Potts 14
2.2 LEDs type traffic light in per indicator 15
2.3 Traffic light pole and indicator 19
3.1 Flow chart of Hardware 27
3.2 Flow chart of software 28
3.3 Structure of Green Traffic Light 29
3.4 Real time fault management system architecture 31
3.5 The Evolution of lighting 32
3.6 Wavecom Fastrack Supreme GSM Modem 36
3.7 Serial Communication Signal 40
3.8 RS-232 on DB9 (9-pin D-type connector) 42
3.9 Implementation of Database with Vb.net integration 44
xiv
3.11 Transmitting message configuration menu 46
3.12 Status message configuration 47
3.13 Text block configuration 48
4.1 Power control circuit 50
4.2 Traffic light controller with the backup battery unit 54
4.3 System architecture for real time fault management application 56
4.4 Interface for login page 57
4.5 Interface for inbox 58
4.6 Task distribution process page 59
4.7 Technician message box 60
4.8 Solution page 60
4.9 Administration page 61
xv
LIST OF ABREVIATION
AC - Alternating current
CCTV - Closed circuit television
DBMS - Database management system
DC - Direct current
DCE - Data communication equipment
DTE - Data terminal equipment
GSM - Global system for mobile communication
GUI - Graphical user interface
HTML - Hyper text markup language
LCD - Liquid crystal display
LDR - Light dependent resistors
LED - Light emitting diode
ODBC - Open Database Connectivity
PCB - Printed circuit board
PHP - Hypertext preprocessor
PLC - Programmable logic controller
RGB - Red, Green, Blue
SMD - Surface mount diode
SMS - Short messaging service
SMT - Surface mount technologies
SQL - Structured Query Language
USB - Universal serial bus
1
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Traffic light is a road signal for directing vehicular traffic by means of coloured
lights. Usually, red for stop, green for go and amber (yellow) for prepare to stop. These
were standardized in 1935 in an early edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices [1].Making traffic signals look basically the same all across the country meant
that drivers didn't have to figure out an unfamiliar signal. They could recognize a
standard signal and react appropriately, which made driving safer. Traffic lights have
become a necessary and valuable tool all around world in order to reduce the number of
accidents. Besides that it made the traffic flow smoothly and possibly could save people
time. In addition it also works in conjunction with pedestrian display to assign
pedestrian cross in right of way.
1.1 Background of traffic light
A modern traffic signal system consists of three basic subsystems: the signal
lights in their housing, the supporting arms or poles, and the electric controller. The
signal lights and housing are known as the signal light stack. A single stack usually
consists of three lights: a green light on the, a yellow light in the middle, and a red light
2 Figure 1.1: Traffic signal elements
A) Main display with Red, Green and Yellow lights
B) Pedestrian crossing light indication
C) Traffic Signal cabinet containing the traffic signal controller
D) Inductive loops or sensors
E) Video detection system
1.1.1 Traffic light display
Conventional traffic signal lighting utilizes a standard light bulb. Typically, a 67
watt, 69 watt, or 115 watt medium-base light bulb provides the illumination. Light then
bounces off a mirrored glass or polished aluminum reflector bowl, and out through a
3
Figure 1.2: Halogen bulb traffic light
Traffic light in Malaysia had pass through from halogen bulb to LED. However it is
still common in some areas. The transformation from halogen bulb to LED is due to the
disadvantages of halogen bulb traffic light. LED type’s traffic light not only solved the
shortcoming of halogen bulb traffic light but also provides more advantages compare to
halogen types traffic light. The new traffic lights are made out of arrays of light emitting
diodes (LEDs). These are tiny, purely electronic lights that are extremely energy
efficient and have a very long life. Some other advantages are:
• LEDs are brighter. The LED arrays fill the entire "hole" and have equal
brightness across the entire surface, making them brighter overall.
• LED bulbs last for years, while halogen bulbs last for months. Replacing
bulbs costs money for the trucks and people who do the work and it also ties
up traffic. Increasing the replacement interval can save a city big dollar.
4 Figure 1.3: Various types of LED traffic light display
1.1.2 Pedestrian crossing light indication
Figure 1.4 Pedestrian crossing light indication
Pedestrian crossing light indication is provided at crossings to guide or assist
pedestrian in safe passage across the road. This is done when the main traffic light turns
red, it will indicate pedestrian crossing light to turn green. Finally, pedestrian are able to
5
1.1.3 Traffic signal cabinet
Today’s modern traffic signals and related systems are complex at the
intersection level and system level. Micro – processor based and Program logic
controllers are widely used for traffic light controller.
This kind of controller is normally placed at each junction in order to provide the
communication to each traffic light at the junction.
1.1.4 Inductive loop and sensor
Figure 1.5: Inductive Loop Traffic Detector [2]
The primarily usage of Inductive loop is to detect the presence of cars and to
alter the regular sequence of traffic light. If the presence of cars are not the in the area,
the inductive-loop traffic detector will pick up this signal and will send to the controller
and eventually adjust the timing of the traffic signal. In addition, it will reduce the
6
1.1.5 Video detection system
Video detection system is used to principally to monitor the total congestion
area of the traffic. Besides that, this video detection system is a great way to curb over
speeding in prominent area by capturing any moving vehicles passing after the traffic
turns red.
1.2 Traffic light and Traffic Management System
1.2.1 Manual fault alert approach
Figure 1.6: Manual fault alert approach
Manual fault alert approach is the method widely used in many countries to
detect faultiness in traffic light system. This method is fully depends on user’s complain
where authority person would take action once they received complaints from users.
7
1.2.2 Online fault reporting
Figure 1.7: Online traffic light fault reporting [3]
Online fault reporting tools is one of the latest methods used by Europe
countries. Where, users able to report the fault on traffic light and the timing problem
via online. Faults report will be forwarded to the contractor and would be rectify
according to the fault priority. Meanwhile, timing problems may require investigation
over a few days to determine the exact cause but will generally be corrected quickly and
any necessary adjustments to our traffic control computer system will be carried out
8
1.2.3 Computerized traffic management
Figure 8: Computerized traffic management
Computer monitors the traffic signal 24 hours a day and traffic engineers use
this information to make signal adjustments. All traffic signals are programmed with
special timing plans to improve traffic flow. This system also include with closed circuit
television (CCTV) cameras which are used to monitor traffic flow along major arterial
segments to ensure that traffic synchronization is working properly. However this is not
practical to implement such system at each junction since the cost of installation and
9
1.2.4 Red light enforcement
Figure 9: Red light enforcement camera
Red light cameras are located at critical intersections. The locations are based on
safety needs, where collisions and the number of violations took place. A high – level
security encrypted digital video camera system is installed at each approach of the
intersection and records those motorists that violate the red light indication. Cameras
take picture of the license plates of vehicles which run in red light. This information is
used to automatically mail tickets to offenders [4].
1.3 Novel Approach for single display traffic light with real time fault management
system (Green Traffic Light)
A new approach for single display unit for traffic light system is designed and
developed based on problems unseen over the conventional three display unit. Traffic
light is playing a major role in ensuring road user’s safety at in and out of any junctions.
For the day of traffic lights were invented till today, the three colour display unit is
