DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A MICROCONTROLLER-BASED FOUR-WAY TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH A VEHICLE COUNTER

ABSTRACT

This project aims to design a microcontroller-based four-way traffic light system with a vehicle counter that optimize traffic flow by automatically comparing the traffic density on each intersect and allocate signal time based on the traffic density on that section of the road. The project was built around Arduino ATmega328 microcontroller interfaced with break beam IR sensors (transmitters and receivers) and LEDs display. The IR receivers and transmitters are mounted on both side of the lanes at regulated intervals. The system uses a 12V DC battery power supply. The system requires a 5V, 3A. The bulk converter IC (LM2596) which is a DCDC module converter rated 3A is used to regulate the 12V from the battery to a 5V, 3A. The 5V is then used to power the Arduino microcontroller and the Darlington pairs IC (sinking and sourcing). As the cars drives through the areas covered by the IR sensors the traffic density is measured for each opposite lane and the values compared to enable decision to be taken on the lane to be authorized for traffic flow and the appropriate LED indicator is activated. The designed and constructed microcontroller-based four-way traffic light with a vehicle counter was able to optimize traffic flow in a four-way junction thereby achieving the objective of the study.