Enhancing Smart Parking Systems Using an IoT-Based ESP8266 in Smart Cities

Abstract

Rising urbanism in smart cities increases the need for clever and efficient parking solutions in these areas. This work aims to build from the ESP8266 microcontroller a smart parking system based on the Internet of Things with maximum efficiency. Built-in Wi-Fi, low power consumption, and economy of cost make the ESP8266 a better choice than microcontrollers like Arduino and single-board computers like Raspberry Pi. Although Arduino requires other modules for wireless connections, direct internet access on the ESP8266 enables real-time data flow. Furthermore, as its architecture is simpler than that of the Raspberry Pi and consumes less power, the ESP8266 is ideal for uses sensitive to cost and energy. The suggested approach reduces traffic by monitoring and controlling parking availability using the wireless networking capability of the ESP8266; therefore, it optimizes space use. Faster response times, cheaper installation costs, and reliable performance at a lower power consumption, testing and analysis show that the ESP8266-based solution provides. These results reveal that the ESP8266 is a flexible and versatile choice for developing Internet of Things-enabled smart parking systems.