🚗 SmartPark – Reinventing the Parking Experience

SmartPark is an intelligent parking automation solution that modernizes traditional parking processes by automating vehicle entry/exit, integrating seamless WhatsApp-based payments, and providing real-time vehicle tracking. Designed with scalability and convenience in mind, SmartPark eliminates queues, reduces manual errors, and brings a cashless, digital-first experience to everyday parking.

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⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE

🧑‍✈️ This website is intended to be used only by the parking management.

🚗 Drivers do not interact with the system directly. There is no user-facing interface or login for drivers.

💬 All driver actions happen via WhatsApp and SMS, where they receive a payment link automatically.

🛠️ This is a fully backend-powered automation system focused on reducing human involvement and minimizing entry/exit delays.

✅ Ideal for private, commercial, or apartment parking lots where gatekeepers handle entry while drivers enjoy a seamless, contactless payment experience.

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Video Explaination of the Project

Link : https://youtu.be/uw7hnoKk-Kg

📌 Key Features

• Automated Entry/Exit: Entry gate opens automatically upon payment confirmation.
• Real-Time Payment Integration: WhatsApp-based payment links sent via Gupshup API.
• Overtime Detection: System auto-detects extended parking and requests overtime payment.
• ANPR Support: License plate recognition using Python and OpenCV.
• Admin Dashboard: View vehicle logs, filter by date/type, monitor revenues.
• Minimal Human Interaction: Everything happens digitally and remotely.

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🧱 Tech Stack

• Frontend: Next.js (TypeScript), Tailwind CSS
• Backend: Node.js, Express.js
• Database: MongoDB
• Messaging & Payment: Gupshup WhatsApp API, RazorPay API
• ANPR: Python (OpenCV, EasyOCR)
• Dev Tools: Postman, Git

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🏁 How It Works – SmartPark Automated Flow

1. Vehicle Arrives at Entry Gate
   The driver approaches the parking gate and shares their phone number and intended parking duration with the gatekeeper.

2. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)
   The system scans the vehicle’s number plate using a Python-based ANPR module (OCR + OpenCV) to automatically capture the vehicle number.

3. Gatekeeper Logs Entry
   After entering the phone number, duration, and confirming the ANPR-detected plate, the gatekeeper submits the entry.

4. Gate Opens Immediately
   As soon as the entry is logged, the entry gate opens automatically, allowing the vehicle to move in without waiting.

5. Payment Message Sent in Real-Time
   Simultaneously, the driver receives:

   • A WhatsApp message (via Gupshup API) with a unique payment link.
   • An SMS as backup containing the same link.

6. Driver Can Pay Anytime Before Exiting
   The driver can complete the payment at their convenience—either immediately or before their allotted duration ends.

7. Exit Gate Behavior Based on Payment

   • If payment is already done, the exit gate opens automatically when the ANPR system detects the vehicle.
   • If payment is pending, the system:
     • Sends a new WhatsApp message with an updated bill including the full parking duration.
     • Offers a "Pay Later" option in case of overtime.

8. “PAY” Command for Final Billing
   If the driver has stayed longer than the chosen duration, they can send the word “PAY” to the same WhatsApp number. This triggers:

   • A final bill combining the original + extra time charges.
   • A new payment link that must be used just before approaching the exit gate to avoid delays.

💡 This system ensures instant gate operations, minimal entry delays, and a smooth, self-service exit process, enhancing both user convenience and parking lot efficiency.

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📦 MongoDB Parking Schema – Explained

This Mongoose schema stores each parking session, capturing both the initial entry and the full lifecycle of the vehicle inside the lot.

✅ Fields Overview

Field	Type	Description
vehicleNo	String	The license plate number detected via ANPR
vehicleType	String	Type of vehicle (e.g., car, bike, truck)
phone	String	Driver's phone number used to send payment links via WhatsApp/SMS
parkingDuration	Number	Duration (in hours) initially selected by the driver
entryTime	Date	Timestamp when the vehicle entered the parking lot
exitTime	Date	Timestamp when the vehicle left (set later at exit)
paymentStatus	String	"pending" or "paid" – reflects whether payment is completed
paymentLinkId	String	Identifier for the payment link sent via Gupshup API
totalAmount	Number	Final charge based on duration and overtime (if any)
notificationSent	Boolean	Tracks whether payment notification has been sent to the user
firstPayment	Boolean	Indicates whether initial payment was made before overtime
updatedDuration	Number	Updated total parking duration (initial + extra if overstayed)
extraDuration	Number	Additional duration (in hours) beyond original parking time

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🔄 Lifecycle Behavior

Entry

• Fields populated: vehicleNo, vehicleType, phone, parkingDuration, entryTime
• Auto-calculated: updatedDuration defaults to parkingDuration

During Parking

• Notification logic checks notificationSent
• Payment status updates to "paid" after success

Exit

• exitTime is logged
• If overstayed:
  • extraDuration is calculated
  • updatedDuration = parkingDuration + extraDuration
  • totalAmount recalculated
  • WhatsApp "PAY" command triggers new link and updates schema

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🧠 Hook Logic

parkingSchema.pre("save", function (next) {
  if (!this.updatedDuration) {
    this.updatedDuration = this.parkingDuration;
  }
  next();
});

This ensures the updatedDuration is always at least equal to the original duration unless explicitly modified (e.g., overtime logic later).

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👨‍💻 Author

• Name: Suraj Srivastava
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/suraj-srivastava41
• GitHub: github.com/1amSuraj
• Email: srisuraj41@gmail.com
• Portfolio: https://suraj-srivastava.vercel.app/

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📄 License

This project is licensed under the Apache License 2.0.
You must give appropriate credit if you use this code in your work.

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⭐️ Support

If you find this project useful:

• 🌟 Star this repo
• 🔁 Fork and contribute
• 🧠 Suggest features or report bugs