AN EFFICIENT AND USER-FRIENDLY ANDROID APPLICATION FOR PARKING SLOT RESERVATION

Abstract

Parking inefficiencies in densely populated urban areas of Pakistan contribute significantly to traffic congestion, time loss, environmental degradation, and driver frustration, primarily due to limited space and the lack of real-time informa- tion on available parking spots. This paper presents the design and development of a Smart Parking Reservation Application as a practical solution to these issues. Developed using Android Studio with Java and integrated with Firebase for backend services, the proposed system introduces a two-role structure comprising Users and Administrators. The application allows users to register with email verification, locate nearby parking areas via a GPS-enabled map with color-coded markers, and reserve visualized slots through a booking form. It supports”Cash on Arrival” and includes a placeholder module for future integration of digital payment options. Upon booking confirmation, the system generates a QR code for ticket ver- ification. The administrative interface enables the addition of new parking locations, monitoring of reservations, transaction records, and management of registered users. Although real-time IoT integration and user feedback modules are identified as future enhancements, the current implementation offers a functional, scalable foundation for smart parking systems in Pakistan. By incorporating features such as dynamic pricing, push notifications, and potential AI-driven recommendations, the application demonstrates significant promise in enhancing urban mobility, reducing parking search times, and minimizing traffic-related environmental impacts in major Pakistani cities.