Automatic Street Light Project Using Arduino

This project creates an energy-efficient street light system that automatically illuminates LED lights sequentially when a vehicle is detected by IR sensors. The lights turn on in the direction of vehicle movement and turn off after the vehicle passes.

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How the System Works

• Two IR sensors are placed at opposite ends of the street light setup
• When a vehicle triggers the first sensor, LEDs light up sequentially from that side
• Each LED turns on with a 500ms delay, creating a smooth lighting effect
• As the vehicle passes the second sensor, LEDs turn off sequentially
• The same process works in reverse when a vehicle approaches from opposite direction
• System maintains lights for 2 seconds after vehicle detection for safety

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Materials Required

• Arduino UNO - Buy Here
• IR Sensors (2x) - Buy Here
• Breadboard - Buy Here
• 220 Ohm Resistors (8x) - Buy Here
• Jumper Wires - Buy Here
• Rainbow Wires (2m) - Buy Here
• 8mm White LEDs (8x) - Buy Here

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3D Files

Download the 3D printable files for the street light pole and enclosure:

Google Drive

Print these files using JLCPCB's 3D printing service:

Order Now

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Step-by-Step Assembly

1. Prepare the Components:

• Print all 3D parts for the street light structure
• Assemble the LED array with 220 ohm current-limiting resistors
• Mount the IR sensors at both ends of your setup

2. Wiring the Circuit:

• Connect the first IR sensor to pin 3 of Arduino
• Connect the second IR sensor to pin 2 of Arduino
• Connect LEDs to pins 4 through 11 (with resistors)
• Use breadboard for power distribution (5V and GND connections)

3. Arduino Code:

• Upload the provided Arduino code
• Adjust the 500ms delay if different lighting speed is desired
• Modify the 2-second delay after vehicle passage as needed

4. Testing the System:

• Move an object past the first sensor - LEDs should light sequentially
• Pass the object through second sensor - LEDs should turn off sequentially
• Test from both directions to verify bidirectional operation

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🎥 Circuit Diagram is Shown in Video.

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Arduino Code

Upload this code to your Arduino UNO after completing the circuit connections:

int IRSensor1 = 3; 
int IRSensor2 = 2;

void setup() 
{
  pinMode(IRSensor1, INPUT); 
  pinMode(IRSensor2, INPUT);
  pinMode(4, OUTPUT); 
  pinMode(5, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(6, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(7, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(8, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(9, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(10, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(11, OUTPUT);
}

void loop()
{
  int statusSensor1 = digitalRead(IRSensor1);
  int statusSensor2 = digitalRead(IRSensor2);
  
  // If IRSensor1 is triggered, turn on LEDs sequentially from pin 4 to pin 11
  if (statusSensor1 == 0)
  {
    // Turn on LEDs sequentially
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(6, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(9, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(10, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(11, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    
    // Wait until IRSensor2 is triggered
    while (digitalRead(IRSensor2) == 1) 
    {
      // Do nothing, just wait
    }
    
    // Wait until IRSensor2 is no longer triggered (passed through it)
    while (digitalRead(IRSensor2) == 0) 
    {
      // Do nothing, just wait
    }

    delay(2000);

    // Turn off LEDs sequentially from pin 11 to pin 4
    digitalWrite(4, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(5, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(6, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(7, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(8, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(9, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(10, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(11, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }

  // If IRSensor2 is triggered, turn on LEDs sequentially from pin 11 to pin 4
  if (statusSensor2 == 0)
  {
    // Turn on LEDs sequentially
    digitalWrite(11, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(10, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(9, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(8, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(7, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(6, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(5, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(4, HIGH);
    delay(500);
    
    // Wait until IRSensor1 is triggered
    while (digitalRead(IRSensor1) == 1) 
    {
      // Do nothing, just wait
    }
    
    // Wait until IRSensor1 is no longer triggered (passed through it)
    while (digitalRead(IRSensor1) == 0) 
    {
      // Do nothing, just wait
    }

    delay(2000);

    // Turn off LEDs sequentially from pin 4 to pin 11
    digitalWrite(11, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(10, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(9, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(8, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(7, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(6, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(5, LOW);
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(4, LOW);
    delay(500);
  }
}

Code Explanation:

Setup:

Configures two IR sensors as inputs (pins 2-3) and eight LED pins as outputs (pins 4-11).

Loop:

Continuously checks both IR sensors. When triggered, it sequentially lights LEDs in the direction of movement (500ms delay between each) and turns them off after vehicle passage (with 2-second lighting buffer). Works bidirectionally.

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Why Choose This Design?

• ✅ Energy Efficient: Lights only activate when vehicles are present
• 🚗 Direction-Sensitive: Smart sequential lighting based on vehicle direction
• 💡 Smooth Operation: 500ms delay creates pleasant lighting effect
• 🛠️ Easy to Scale: Can be expanded for longer streets with more LEDs
• 💰 Cost Effective: Uses affordable, widely available components
• 🌱 Eco-Friendly: Reduces light pollution and energy waste