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.

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

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

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

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

🎥 Circuit Diagram is Shown in Video.

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.

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

Search This Blog

Simple Circuits