Design And Construction Of GPS And GSM-Based Car Tracking System With Car Shutdown

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we presented a vehicle tracking system using GPS modem and GSM module with car shutdown. The system is designed to provide security to vehicle owners from theft and unauthorized access. The system performs multiple operations which include:-When an unauthorized person tries to gain access of your vehicle, the information is analyzed using sensors and transmitted to user through GSM. The coordinates of the location of vehicle are sent via GPS. The controlling of vehicle is done through microcontroller. The doors of the vehicles and accelerator pedal are locked down when reading instructions from the user. The speed of the motor is gradually reduced and comes to a halt. By using the control concepts listed in the paper number of control features can be implemented in the same fashion.

                                                               CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                        INTRODUCTION

1.1                            BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The vehicle tracking system is an electronic device that tracks the vehicle’s location. Most of the tracking system uses GPS module to locate vehicles position (EI-Rabbany, 2016). Many systems also combine communication components such as satellite transmitters to communicate the vehicle’s location to the remote user. Google maps are used to view vehicle’s location. The design of the tracking system has been divided into 3 parts: basic design, intermediate design and advanced design.

The basic design of the vehicle tracking system consists of a GSM module, GPS module, a microcontroller, a relay circuit and a LCD. In this paper we have included the sensors to detect the unauthorized intervention. When any unauthorized user (i.e. a person other than the owner) tries to get access of vehicle, the system sends an SMS to owner. The user commands the system to lock down the vehicle remotely. The gates and accelerator pedal are locked down using instructions from the microcontroller. The speed of the motor is gradually reduced. Meanwhile the coordinates of the location (i.e. latitude and longitude) are sent to users mobile. These coordinates can be used to view the location of vehicle on Google Maps. This system designed for users in land construction and transport business, provides real-time information such as location, speed and expected arrival time of the user is moving vehicles in a concise and easy-to-read format. This system may also useful for communication process among the two points.

Currently GPS vehicle tracking ensures their safety as travelling (Brain, 2014). This vehicle tracking system found in clients vehicles as a theft prevention and rescue device. Vehicle owner or Police follow the signal emitted by the tracking system to locate a robbed vehicle.

1.2                                                  PROBLEM STATEMENT

The global issue related to a constantly increasing crime rate needs to be urgently addressed by both developed and developing countries. In Nigeria, 2,000 cases of car theft in average are reported each year in [Nairaland.com, 2011], and the number is still increasing. If not recovered soon, stolen vehicles are generally sold, revamped or even burned if the resale price is considered to be too low. Once a vehicle is stolen, it becomes hard to locate it and track it, which considerably decreases the chances of recovering it. In this work, we propose the design and implementation of a car tracking anti-theft system that will protect, secure vehicles. More so, the bad culture of private and commercial drivers accompanied with the poor roads and road trafficking in the country has in time increases the rate of casualties on the road so rapidly, 35% of death rate in Nigeria was caused by Vehicle accident and road casualties in the year 2016. This project is focused mainly to increase the chances of survival for the victims of these causalities as introduced earlier.

1.3                                    AIM OF THE PROJECT

The aim of this work is to design a device that alert the owner of a vehicle when an unauthorized person tries to gain access of his vehicle, the information is analyzed using sensors and transmitted to user through GSM and also coordinates of the location of vehicle are sent via GPS.

Objectives of this project are:
1) To study and investigate the basic operation of the GPS module.
2) To design the GPS/GSM and Push button based on the system.
3) To implement the designed system on a hardware prototype.
5) To analyze the efficiency of the developed system.

1.4                               PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The main purpose of this device is to provide security to vehicle owners from theft and unauthorized access

1.5                                 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

Vehicle tracking and locking system used to track the theft vehicle sleep mode / active mode.   If theft identified SMS is sent toØ microcontroller, issue the necessary signals to stop the motor  After switch off the engine, motor cannot restart without permission – of password  Tracking of vehicle place is easy and doors locked automatically, thief – cannot get away from the car.

1.6                          APPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT

1. School transport Tracking: “Vehicle tracking system” can be used in the school bus for tracking.
2. This project can be used for detection of cab or car of companies.

• Theft Protection: This project can be very useful when your vehicle or car is stolen.

1. Sectors in which VTS is used Logistics, Cargo, Distribution, Transportation Fleet management  Public Service VTS avoids misusage  Railroads VTS can monitor the wagons online

1.7                                 PROBLEM OF THE STUDY

Worker resentment: The use of GPS tracking devices cause worker resentment especially is they are used to track delivery drivers and the location of field officers. Most fleet management companies use vehicle tracking devices to track their vehicles and some employees may not be comfortable with the idea that they are being monitored all the time.

Expenses: It is very expensive to install a GPS tracking system especially for small companies and this is one of the major disadvantages of GPS tracking. The initial cost of installation is very expensive and medium sized businesses have to look for some financing in order to have the system installed in their vehicles.

Overdependence: Workers have a tendency to over rely on different technologies and vehicle tracking devices is one of them. Fleet management companies can have a very chaotic time in case of a system breakdown as a result of over dependence on vehicle tracking devices. It becomes difficult to track deliveries when there is breakdown because workers are reluctant to step out of their comfort zone.

1.8                             SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

1) Keep track of employees. This is useful to cut down on employees who are using vehicles excessively for personal use and skiving off when they are supposed to be working.

2) Tracking systems can keep an eye on staff driving habits. Managers can therefore clamp down on people who consistently speed or drive dangerously.

3) GPS vehicle tracking systems can also monitor the fuel consumption of a company’s fleet so that managers can work towards a more economical and environmentally friendly fleet of vehicles.

4) For fleets working in London congestion zone alerts are very useful for cutting down on unwanted fines for not paying congestion zone fees.

5) Tracking systems can also help people to map out the shortest routes a driver can take which can help to save time, money and fuel.

1.9                            LIMITATION OF THE PROJECT

1. GPS Location can be inaccurate sometimes

A GPS unit calculates the location of the device by receiving and interpreting the signal from 3 or more satellites. However, technical difficulty can cause blocking of these signals when the line of sight is blocked by tall buildings, trees or obstacles in the pathway. Any such issues might cause GPS units to show inaccurate position and can cause you problems.

There is also the issue of ‘Canyon Effect’ resulting from being surrounded by tall buildings blocking GPS signal. The signal might keep bouncing around and therefore fail to reach the GPS unit. GPS units calculate the position and time based on the time required to receive the signal.

Satellites transmit the signal at a specific rate. The detectors in GPS units are accurate only up to 10 nanoseconds. Simply, in terms of distance, this is about 3 meters. This is the highest accuracy that any standard GPS unit can offer. Military version might be more accurate, up to 300 millimetres.

Another important issue is the discrepancy between the GPS receiver clock timing and the satellite timing which synchronizes the GPS system worldwide. This can make the time drift away from actual time.

Using a highly precise atomic clock might render the GPS units uneconomic. An alternative solution is to utilize special algorithms to account for the time keeping error and reset the clock.

All these issues can be solved to a greater extent by employing GPS units which lock signals from more than three satellites and precise algorithms.

2. Battery might drain out

Power stoppage can result in malfunctioning of the GPS unit, especially the GPS systems which work with solar power or those with a good battery life. A passive GPS unit consumes lots of power even when the vehicle is idle.

Some of the commercial GPS units switch over to sleep mode when the vehicle is idle or parked so that the battery duration gets longer.  Or you can resort to versions for which batteries are easily replaceable.

3. Employees might feel offended

Not all employees might feel the same when they are tracked remotely. They should not feel that they are being spied upon. Considering the advantages offered by a GPS such as safety and protection from theft, convincing your employees to utilize the services of GPS vehicle tracking systems might not be a difficult task.

4. Environmental conditions

Environmental conditions might turn drastic. For example, in case of solar flares, the satellite signals might get affected. However, governmental agencies announce them early so that those with the GPS units can take precautionary steps to overcome this difficulty. It might be wiser for you to carry a map in those days.

5. Monitoring travel data might consume time and labour

As fleet managers, you might have to spend considerable time in monitoring the units for an accurate analysis.

6. Human intervention

Technological spying is a form of electronic warfare and can silently affect these GPS vehicle tracking systems. GPS jammers are also on the rise, especially used by disruptive forces. You might be not able to circumvent the effects of these issues.

However, there are other unseen hindrances to GPS signal reception caused by you. A major disruption can be caused by unknowingly placing a metallic thing blocking the GPS receiver. The GPS antenna can receive signals through plastic, but not through metal surfaces.

Placing the GPS unit near the windscreen might affect signal quality in newer vehicles with metalized glass. Same is the case when your vehicle has a heated windshield. Heating strips made of extremely thin tungsten wires are nearly invisible when laid in the windshield glass to keep the ice away.

Such interferences can be solved by placing the GPS antennae in a proper location within the vehicle after considering the make and type of the vehicle and its compatibility with the unit.

1.9                                         METHODOLOGY

To achieve the aim and objectives of this work, the following are the steps involved:

1. Study of the previous work on the project so as to improve it efficiency.
2. Draw a block diagram.

• Test for continuity of components and devices,

1. programming of microcontroller
2. Design and calculation for the work was carried out.
3. Studying of various component used in circuit.

• Construct the whole
• Finally, the whole device was cased and final test was carried out.

1.10                                                      PROJECT ORGANISATION

The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work,   chapter two presents the literature review of the study,  chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.