Centralized Parking System for IoT Based Smart City Environment

Kunal Nigam, Gaurav Agrawal, Bhagyashree Batra and C. N. S. Vinoth Kumar

Department of Networking and Communications, School of Computing, College of Engineering and Technology (CET),

SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, India

Keywords: Parking Management, Real-Time Availability, IoT, Urban Mobility, Smart Cities.

Abstract: This research focuses on addressing the parking challenges faced by urban areas, where limited parking

availability often leads to congestion and driver frustration. The proposed solution is a centralized parking

system developed through a Flutter-based mobile application. Key features of the system include real-time

parking availability updates, a dynamic map interface for easy navigation, and secure payment integration.

By leveraging IoT devices and analyzing traffic patterns, the system improves parking efficiency and reduces

time spent searching for spots. Targeting urban centers, tourist destinations, and smart city projects, the

platform aims to reduce congestion, enhance mobility, and support broader urban infrastructure initiatives.

1 INTRODUCTION

As urban populations continue to swell, cities around

the globe are grappling with increasing challenges

related to parking management. The rapid rise in the

number of vehicles, combined with limited parking

availability, has created a perfect storm of congestion

and frustration for drivers. In many urban areas,

finding an available parking spot can be a time-

consuming and often stressful experience. This

challenge not only leads to wasted time for drivers but

also exacerbates traffic congestion, contributing to

increased emissions and negative impacts on urban

air quality.

Traditional parking management systems have

struggled to keep pace with the demands of modern

urban life. Many of these systems lack the necessary

centralization and integration, leading to disjointed

processes that are inefficient for both parking space

owners and consumers. Inadequate data management

results in issues such as double bookings,

unauthorized parking, and poor utilization of

available spaces. Furthermore, existing systems often

do not provide real-time updates on parking space

availability, leaving users unaware of current

occupancy statuses. This lack of timely information

complicates the parking experience, causing delays

and missed opportunities for drivers.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7622-2417

Corresponding Author: C.N.S.Vinoth Kumar

The absence of a unified platform for booking,

managing, and paying for parking further complicates

the overall user experience. Drivers are often left

navigating through a maze of poorly integrated

systems, resulting in confusion and dissatisfaction.

To address these issues, there is a pressing need for

innovative solutions that can transform the parking

landscape in urban environments.

This research proposes the development of a

centralized parking system designed to streamline

parking management and enhance the overall user

experience. The proposed solution is a mobile

application built using Flutter, a versatile framework

that allows for efficient cross-platform development.

This application will integrate various advanced

technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT)

devices, to provide real-time updates on parking

availability. By leveraging sensors and data analytics,

the system will continuously monitor and update the

status of parking spaces, allowing users to find

available spots quickly and easily.

One of the key features of the proposed

application is its dynamic map interface, which will

provide users with intuitive navigation to available

parking spots. Users will be able to access detailed

information about each parking location, including

distance calculations, geofencing notifications, and

user reviews. This level of transparency and

Nigam, K., Agrawal, G., Batra, B. and Vinoth Kumar, C. N. S.

Centralized Parking System for IoT Based Smart City Environment.

DOI: 10.5220/0013610200004664

Paper published under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Futuristic Technology (INCOFT 2025) - Volume 3, pages 135-142

ISBN: 978-989-758-763-4

135

accessibility empowers consumers to make informed

decisions about where to park, significantly

improving their overall experience.

In addition to serving consumers, the application

will also cater to parking space owners. By providing

a platform for owners to list and manage their parking

spaces, the system will facilitate real-time updates on

availability and streamline the booking process. This

centralized management approach not only optimizes

space utilization but also increases revenue potential

for parking facility owners.

Furthermore, secure payment integration will be

an essential component of the application, ensuring

seamless transactions for users while prioritizing data

security and compliance with local regulations. By

offering a reliable payment gateway that supports

various payment methods, including credit/debit

cards and digital wallets, the application aims to

enhance user trust and satisfaction.

The benefits of implementing this centralized

parking system extend beyond individual users. By

reducing the time spent searching for parking, the

system has the potential to alleviate traffic

congestion, contributing to improved urban mobility.

Additionally, this solution aligns with broader smart

city initiatives by leveraging data to inform urban

planning and transportation management strategies.

In summary, this research seeks to address the

pressing challenges of parking management in urban

areas by developing an intelligent centralized system

that enhances the efficiency of parking operations.

Through the integration of advanced technologies and

a user-friendly mobile application, the project aims to

improve the parking experience for both consumers

and facility owners, ultimately contributing to a more

sustainable urban environment. By transforming the

way parking is managed, this solution has the

potential to significantly enhance the quality of life

for residents and visitors in urban centers.

Figure 1: ER Diagram of Centralized Parking

2 LITERATURE REVIEW

The growing need for efficient parking solutions in

urban areas has been widely studied, with researchers

focusing on mitigating congestion and improving the

user experience. Shoup (2006) (Shoup, 2006).)

highlights the adverse effects of poor parking

management on urban mobility, stressing that drivers

spend significant time searching for parking, which

exacerbates traffic congestion and contributes to

pollution. Shoup’s work underscores the necessity for

technology-driven, dynamic solutions to tackle these

challenges effectively.

The use of real-time parking data has emerged as

a critical approach to optimizing parking

management. Zhang et al. (2019) (Zhang et al. 2019)

demonstrate how real-time data can significantly

reduce the time spent searching for available spaces,

particularly through the deployment of IoT sensors

that monitor and relay parking occupancy. This

integration of IoT technology is also supported by

Batty et al. (2012) (Batty et al. 2012), who advocate

for smart city frameworks to enhance urban

infrastructure. Parking management is considered a

key component of such systems, given its potential to

streamline urban traffic and resource allocation.

Mobile applications have also been a focal point

in the research on parking management. Tan et al.

(2020) (Tan et al. 2020) analyze how mobile apps

offering real-time parking availability, secure

payment options, and navigation assistance can

dramatically improve user satisfaction. Their findings

show that features such as geofencing, parking

heatmaps, and real-time alerts assist drivers in

making informed decisions..

Further research extends the role of artificial

intelligence (AI) in parking systems. In a study by S.

Rani et al. (2021), AI algorithms are employed to

predict parking availability based on historical and

real-time data, enabling systems to optimize resource

distribution and predict congestion trends. Similarly,

Bai et al. (2020) propose a hybrid IoT-AI approach

for smart parking systems, where deep learning

techniques are applied to enhance parking occupancy

detection accuracy, contributing to more effective

traffic management.

Another emerging trend is the integration of

blockchain technology to enhance the security and

transparency of parking payment systems. According

to Ahmed et al. (2021) (Ahmed et al. 2021),

blockchain's decentralized nature ensures tamper-

proof transaction records, thereby increasing user

trust in the system. Their research suggests that

blockchain-based parking systems not only

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streamline payments but also reduce fraud risks and

improve overall data security.

Finally, advancements in vehicle-to-infrastructure

(V2I) communication have enabled real-time

interaction between vehicles and parking systems.

Zhao et al. (2020) (Smith and Zhao, 2020).explore

how V2I technology enhances parking efficiency by

allowing vehicles to communicate directly with smart

parking systems, automatically reserving and

updating parking spaces as vehicles approach (Ashir,

2023). This level of automation represents a

significant step forward in the evolution of parking

management systems.

These studies collectively support the

development of a centralized parking system that

integrates IoT, real-time data, mobile app technology,

and AI to address urban parking challenges, reduce

congestion, and enhance overall urban mobility

(Sikka and Kumar, 2023), (Li and Connan, 2010),

(Nag, Ranjan, et al. , 2022). The adoption of

blockchain and V2I communication technologies

further strengthens the system's security, efficiency,

and scalability, offering a holistic approach to modern

parking management (Bowie, Hawking, et al. , 2023).

Figure 2: User Database

3 PROPOSED METHODOLOGY

The development of the centralized parking system

will follow a structured methodology designed to

enhance urban parking efficiency and improve user

experience. The methodology will be divided into

several phases: requirement gathering, system

architecture design, implementation, testing, and

deployment.

Requirement Gathering: The first phase involves

understanding the needs of both end-users (drivers)

and parking space owners. Surveys and interviews

will be conducted to identify pain points in the current

parking management system. Additionally, an

analysis of existing parking solutions will be done to

identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.

This phase will define the core features of the system,

such as real-time parking availability updates, secure

payments, and intuitive navigation.

System Architecture Design: Based on the

requirements, the architecture of the centralized

parking system will be designed. The system will be

divided into two primary components:

Figure 3: Architecture Diagram of Centralized Parking

Mobile Application: A Flutter-based mobile app

that allows users to search, book, and pay for parking

spaces in advance. The app provides a seamless

experience for parking space owners and consumers,

with real-time updates on parking availability and

easy navigation to parking locations.

Backend Server: A cloud-based server that

manages user data, parking availability, bookings,

and payment transactions. The server communicates

with the app and processes user requests to ensure a

smooth booking experience. The system will manage

parking spaces based on data provided by parking

space owners, ensuring up-to-date availability and

booking records. The backend will be optimized for

scalability and fast performance, ensuring a real-time

experience for users. A secure payment gateway will

be integrated to handle transactions.

Mobile App Development: The mobile app will

be developed using Flutter, ensuring cross-platform

compatibility for both Android and iOS. Key features

will include: Real-Time Parking Availability: The

app will display available parking spaces on a

dynamic map interface, allowing users to locate and

book spots with ease.

Centralized Parking System for IoT Based Smart City Environment

137

Navigation Assistance: Users will receive

notifications and distance calculations to guide them

to their reserved parking spots.

Booking and Payments: Consumers can book

parking spaces in advance and make secure payments

via the app, with multiple payment options such as

credit/debit cards and digital wallets.

Parking Space Management Dashboard: A flutter-

based dashboard will be developed for parking space

owners. This dashboard will allow owners to manage

their parking spaces by updating availability, tracking

reservations, and reviewing transaction histories. The

dashboard will also provide insights and reports to

help optimize parking space utilization.

Figure 4. User Panel of Centralized Parking

Real-Time Data Processing: The app will process

parking space data provided by owners and ensure

that users see the most up-to-date availability. When

a parking space is reserved or becomes available, the

system will instantly update the data on the app,

ensuring consumers receive accurate information

about available parking spots.

Security and Compliance: A secure payment

gateway will be integrated into the app to ensure user

transactions are protected. The system will comply

with industry security standards and local regulations

to ensure user privacy and data security throughout

the booking and payment process.

Testing and Optimization: Before launch, the app

and dashboard will undergo extensive testing for

functionality, user experience, security, and

performance. Real-time updates of parking

availability and the booking process will be tested to

ensure smooth operation, and the system will be

optimized for scalability to handle multiple users at

peak times.

Deployment and Maintenance: After successful

testing, the system will be deployed to parking

facilities. Continuous monitoring will be conducted

to ensure optimal performance, and user feedback

will be gathered to improve the system. Regular

updates will be rolled out to add new features and

enhance the overall functionality.

This methodology ensures a user-friendly,

scalable solution for managing parking spaces and

providing consumers with a reliable, real-time

booking experience. The system will optimize the use

of available parking spaces while making parking

easier and more efficient for consumers.

4 ALGORITHM USED

The Centralized Parking System leverages a

combination of algorithms to ensure efficient parking

management, real-time availability updates, and an

optimal user experience. The key algorithms include:

Parking Space Detection Algorithm: This

algorithm is used to manage parking space

availability in real-time based on updates from the

parking space owners. The system updates the status

of each parking spot as "available" or "reserved" and

displays it to users via the mobile app.

Input: Parking spot data from the owners.

Process: Data from the parking space owners is

processed by classifying each parking spot as

"available" or "booked." The system automatically

updates the status when a booking is made or

canceled.

Output: A real-time list of available parking spots

is updated and displayed on the app’s map interface.

Dynamic Parking Recommendation Algorithm:

To enhance user experience, this algorithm suggests

the best parking spots based on proximity,

availability, and user preferences. It takes into

account factors such as the user’s location, parking

demand, and space availability to recommend the

most convenient spot.

Input: User location, parking spot availability.

Process: The algorithm calculates the best parking

spot based on proximity and user preferences, using a

scoring system to weigh factors like distance and ease

of access.

Output: Recommended parking spots are

displayed to the user, along with estimated walking or

driving times.

Figure 5: Dummy Dataset

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Booking Notification Algorithm: This algorithm

triggers notifications to the user for booking

confirmations, reservation reminders, and updates

about parking spot availability. It ensures users are

notified in real-time about important events related to

their reservations.

Input: User reservation details, booking time, and

availability updates.

Process: The algorithm monitors user bookings

and triggers notifications when a booking is

confirmed or close to expiring.

Output: Real-time notifications about booking

confirmations, reminders, or parking spot availability

updates.

Real-Time Data Processing and Update

Algorithm: This core algorithm is responsible for

processing parking availability data in real-time. The

system ensures that the information shown to users is

accurate and updated based on booking activities and

space management.

Input: Data from parking space owners and user

bookings.

Process: The system processes data

asynchronously to ensure scalability and reliability. It

validates, processes, and updates the data in real-time.

Output: Updated parking space availability

displayed in the app’s map interface. Secure Payment

Algorithm: This algorithm handles all payment

transactions within the system, ensuring security and

compliance with financial standards. It processes

payments for parking reservations and manages

transactions securely.

Input: User payment details, transaction request.

Process: The algorithm encrypts payment

information, authenticates the user, and

communicates with the payment gateway to process

the transaction.

Output: A payment confirmation and transaction

receipt are provided to the user within the app.

By integrating these algorithms, the Centralized

Parking System ensures that users receive real-time,

accurate parking information, optimal

recommendations, and secure transactions. This

approach improves parking management efficiency

and enhances the overall user experience.

5 RESULTS

5.1 Testing

Extensive testing was performed to validate the

system’s efficiency, accuracy, and user experience.

The system underwent both functional and non-

functional testing, including unit tests for individual

components like parking space detection, real-time

data processing, and payment processing.

Additionally, stress testing was conducted to ensure

the system’s scalability and performance under peak

loads, simulating high demand during peak hours in

urban areas. The mobile application’s user interface

was tested across multiple devices and platforms (iOS

and Android) to ensure cross-platform compatibility

and consistent performance.

Figure 6: Impact of Parking Mode App on Traffic

Congestion

5.2 Performance Evaluation

The Centralized Parking System demonstrated high

accuracy in predicting parking availability, with an

average accuracy rate of 92% during real-time tests in

urban environments. The system's real-time updates

had an average response time of 1.5 seconds, ensuring

near-instantaneous communication of parking space

status. Secure payment integration processed

transactions with a success rate of 99.8%, and the

dynamic recommendation algorithm effectively

reduced parking search times by an average of 30%.

Users reported a 40% reduction in the time spent

searching for parking spots, contributing to a

smoother and more efficient parking experience.

Figure 7: Average Time Spent Finding Parking Spot

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139

5.3 Validation

The system was validated through user feedback from

beta testing, which involved real users in urban

centers, tourist areas, and smart city projects. Surveys

indicated high user satisfaction, with 88% of users

rating the system as significantly improving their

parking experience. For parking space owners, the

management dashboard received positive feedback,

with users citing improved space utilization and

revenue optimization. Independent validation was

also conducted by comparing the system’s parking

prediction capabilities against traditional systems,

with the centralized system outperforming existing

solutions in both accuracy and response time.

Figure 8: Comparison of Parking Spaces and Cost per

Hour for Nearby Locations

5.4 Key Contributions

The centralized parking system’s most significant

contribution is its ability to provide real-time parking

availability through efficient data processing

algorithms. This feature reduces the time drivers

spend searching for available parking spaces,

ultimately improving space utilization and decreasing

congestion. The system continuously updates parking

availability, ensuring users always have access to

accurate information.

Another major contribution is the development of

a cross-platform mobile application using Flutter,

which ensures a smooth user experience across both

iOS and Android devices. This unified platform

enables users to easily search for, reserve, and pay for

parking in a streamlined process, regardless of their

operating system, making parking more convenient

and efficient.

The integration of a secure payment gateway

within the system allows for seamless transactions

while prioritizing data security. By supporting

multiple payment methods and maintaining

compliance with industry standards, the system

enhances user trust and offers a convenient way to

manage payments within the app.

Additionally, the system’s dynamic parking

recommendation algorithm tailors suggestions based

on user location, proximity to parking spots, and

preferences. This personalized recommendation

system optimizes the overall user experience, helping

drivers quickly find the most suitable parking

locations based on real-time data and user needs.

SAMPLE UI/UX Output Screen:

Figure 9: UI of Centralized Parking

Finally, the platform’s scalable architecture

ensures the system can handle large volumes of users

and transactions, particularly during peak times,

without compromising performance. This capability

makes the system adaptable for broader deployment

in various urban environments, contributing to

improved traffic flow and parking efficiency.

6 DIAGRAM

Figure 10: Transaction Success Rate

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Figure 11: Parking Location with Map Integration

7 CONCLUSION AND FUTURE

WORK

This research on the Centralized Parking System

Environment underscores the transformative

potential of integrating IoT, real-time data analytics,

and mobile applications into urban parking systems.

Unlike conventional parking systems, which often

rely on static, manual processes and limited data

inputs, the proposed system leverages IoT-enabled

solutions to provide real-time updates on parking

availability, optimized space utilization, and user

convenience through mobile app interfaces.

In contrast to existing automated parking systems

that primarily focus on vehicle positioning and

efficiency within predefined spaces, this system

broadens the scope by incorporating dynamic, city-

wide management strategies. This includes predictive

analytics to anticipate parking demand fluctuations

based on historical data, traffic flows, and weather

conditions, a feature often absent in current automatic

parking setups. Such predictive capabilities allow for

adaptive pricing models and maximize occupancy

rates by distributing demand more effectively.

Furthermore, unlike traditional parking solutions

that may lack flexibility in payment methods, this

system considers user needs by proposing advanced

payment options, including cryptocurrency and

loyalty-based credits, promoting a more versatile and

user-centered experience. While existing systems

might incorporate automated entry or limited vehicle

detection, the addition of IoT devices such as

occupancy sensors and license plate recognition

further enhances security and efficiency, allowing for

seamless entry, parking, and exit processes.

Another area of distinction is scalability and

interoperability with broader smart city initiatives.

Unlike typical automated parking solutions focused

solely on indoor or confined areas, this centralized

system has the potential to integrate with urban

mobility infrastructures, including electric vehicle

charging networks and real-time traffic monitoring,

ultimately contributing to a more cohesive and

sustainable urban environment.

In comparison to similar systems limited to

single-location implementations, scaling this solution

to multi-city deployments introduces adaptability to

local regulations and infrastructure while maintaining

centralized oversight. This adaptability positions the

Centralized Parking System Environment as a viable,

flexible alternative that can operate effectively across

diverse urban landscapes.

Finally, the proposed system not only focuses on

automation and efficiency but also emphasizes user

satisfaction through enhanced features, including

voice-guided navigation and augmented reality (AR)

assistance, setting it apart from existing solutions. By

building on these advanced technologies and

addressing the evolving needs of urban parking, the

Centralized Parking System Environment represents

a significant step forward in making urban parking

more efficient, accessible, and responsive to both user

and city requirements.

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