Smart Bridge Elevation Control System

Introduction

This introduction presents a cutting-edge approach to bridge management and safety through the implementation of a Smart Bridge Elevation Control System (SB-ECS) using Arduino, an ultrasonic sensor, and servo motors. The system continually monitors water levels beneath the bridge with the ultrasonic sensor. When water levels rise to potentially hazardous levels, the Arduino-based control system engages servo motors to automatically adjust the bridge’s height, ensuring the safety of bridge and vehicles .

The Smart Bridge Elevation Control System combines real-time data collection and analysis, offering bridge operators critical information for decision-making during flood events or changing water conditions. By incorporating servo motors, the system achieves precise and responsive bridge elevation adjustments, reducing the risk of accidents, structural damage, and road closures during flooding. Moreover, it enhances infrastructure resilience, contributing to safer and more efficient transportation networks.

This innovative application of technology exemplifies the potential for intelligent solutions to address contemporary infrastructure challenges proactively, showcasing how Arduino, ultrasonic sensors, and servo motors work together to create a dynamic and adaptive bridge management system.

Components Required

ARDUINO UNO
ULTRASONIC SENSOR
SERVO MOTORS
BREADBOARD
JUMPER WIRES

Circuit Diagram

Connections

Servo motor

Signal pins – digital pin 9 of Arduino
Power supply pins – 5v supply in Arduino
Ground pins -GND of Arduino

Ultrasonic sensor

Trig pin – pin 6 of Arduino
Echo pin – pin 7 of Arduino
GND pin -GND of Arduino
Power supply pin- 5v of Arduino

Arduino Code

#include <Servo.h>

// constants won’t change

const int TRIG_PIN = 6; // Arduino pin connected to Ultrasonic Sensor’s TRIG pin

const int ECHO_PIN = 7; // Arduino pin connected to Ultrasonic Sensor’s ECHO pin

const int SERVO_PIN = 9; // Arduino pin connected to Servo Motor’s pin

const int DISTANCE_THRESHOLD = 4; // centimeters

Servo servo; // create servo object to control a servo

// variables will change:

float duration_us, distance_cm;

void setup() {

Serial.begin (9600); // initialize serial port

pinMode(TRIG_PIN, OUTPUT); // set arduino pin to output mode

pinMode(ECHO_PIN, INPUT); // set arduino pin to input mode

servo.attach(SERVO_PIN); // attaches the servo on pin 9 to the servo object

servo.write(0);

}

void loop()

{

// generate 10-microsecond pulse to TRIG pin

digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, HIGH);

delayMicroseconds(200);

digitalWrite(TRIG_PIN, LOW);

// measure duration of pulse from ECHO pin

duration_us = pulseIn(ECHO_PIN, HIGH);

// calculate the distance

distance_cm = 3 * duration_us;

if(distance_cm < DISTANCE_THRESHOLD)

servo.write(180); // rotate servo motor to 90 degree

else

servo.write(0); // rotate servo motor to 0 degree

// print the value to Serial Monitor

Serial.print(“distance: “);

Serial.print(distance_cm);

Serial.println(” cm”);

delay(3000);

}

Conclusion

In conclusion, a smart bridge using Arduino UNO has successfully demonstrated the integration of technology for efficient bridge monitoring and management. By utilising sensors and the Arduino platform, the project achieved real-time data collection, analysis, and remote control capabilities. The smart bridge concept holds promise for enhancing infrastructure safety, reducing maintenance costs, and improving overall transportation systems. Further development could focus on scalability, energy efficiency, and integration with advanced control systems for broader practical applications.

Author

Puja Kumari
Manya Vats
Mohammad Imran Alam

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