See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/338107992

Design of a Smart Real-time Excessive Honking Control System

Article · December 2019

DOI: 10.9790/1676-1406010812

CITATIONS READS

0 2,157

4 authors, including:

Atmadip Dey Raktim Pratihar

Narula Institute of Technology Narula Institute of Technology
9 PUBLICATIONS   1 CITATION    13 PUBLICATIONS   3 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Bansari Deb Majumder

Narula Institute of Technology
27 PUBLICATIONS   66 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Process parameter measurement in non-conventional method View project

Controlling Excessive Honking by Constant Honking rate Monitoring Using IoT View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Atmadip Dey on 22 December 2019.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

IOSR Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IOSR-JEEE)
e-ISSN: 2278-1676,p-ISSN: 2320-3331, Volume 14, Issue 6 Ser. I (Nov. – Dec. 2019), PP 08-12
www.iosrjournals.org

Design of a Smart Real-time Excessive Honking Control System

Atmadip Dey1, Arka Majumdar1, Raktim Pratihar1, Bansari Deb Majumder2
1
(Student, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, Narula Institute of technology, Kolkata)
2
(Teacher-In charge, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, Narula Institute of technology, Kolkata)

Abstract : — Indian Roads are very noisy due to various road users and congestion factors. It’s a custom in
India to paint Truck Rear with message “BLOW HORN". The ever-increasing noise pollution affects both
physical and mental ability and presents the significant need for a sustainable and an economically viable
solution. The aggressive honking of the horn from the vehicles treading on a road is a major source of noise
pollution and is highly undesirable and irritating. The residential areas, schools, hospitals and other
workplaces nearby are adversely affected. Honking is a habit and usually people uses various types of horn to
generate discrete audible noise. Horn blowing leads to noise pollution and creates a chaotic environment. Horn
is a device to be used in emergency and if it is used repeatedly in very short succession then there should be
system having the following features: - recording the no. of times a horn is pressed by the driver & this should
be further linked with driving capability which in turn should be used to calculate insurance premium / permit
charges for taxi, etc. An attempt has been made to develop a low-cost smart honking system for which enables
the users to calculate the number of horns at a certain period. In addition to this a technological solution has
been made to generate an alarm system to the user if the no. of horns goes above the limit. Once the user has
registered to this system will receive a bill taxed on the honking made in monthly basis. If the counting of horn
exceeds the pre-set limit the user needs to pay the excess tax. The system found to be simple, easy for
installation and user friendly.
Keywords: Honking System, Internet of things, Smart City, Noise Pollution
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Date of Submission: 24-10-2019 Date of Acceptance: 09-11-2019
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------

I. Introduction
Noise can be defined as sound levels that are loud and unpleasant to our ears. Noise pollution is defined
as quotidian exposure to higher levels of sound that lead to severe effects to human health as well as other living
organisms. World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized sound levels lower than 70 dB are not harmful to
living organisms. However, exposure to higher levels for prolonged periods can cause health hazards. Again,
decibels follow an interval scale so 80 dB is not twice as loud as 40 dB instead it is exactly twice of what 70 dB
is.
Noise can be created from various sources. In India some of the main culprits are 1. Road Traffic
Noise, 2. Air Craft Noise, 3. Noise from Railroads, 4. Noise in Industry,5. Construction Noise, 6. Noise from
Households, 7. Noise from Consumer products.
India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPBC) states that traffic sound reaches levels of 100 dB in the
streets with bus stops or places prone to more traffic can reach 125 dB The Centers for Disease Control have set
a max of 15 minutes as exposure limit to 100 dB of sound, over which possible damage may occur [1].Noise
pollution due to honking is one of most pressing problems that not only India but many countries are hostage to.
Drivers on roads often are found to have the tendency of using horns recklessly. This is a result of impatience,
strong braking in busy road, in jam packed situations and often in crossings also while overtaking and speeding.
Honking creates impulsiveness and poses threat to the life of pedestrians, cyclists and passengers in vehicles as
well. Studies have shown that continuous honking is a common expression of growing impatience, rage,
anxiety, stress and a truculent attitude. Also seen as a signature move of dominance on other fellow drivers [2].
Often jaywalking pedestrians and inefficient traffic controlling also results in excessive use of horns but it is not
due to the excessive number of vehicles on road or population. To a great extent honking depends on mentality
of the person using it.
Throughout the world various studies have been done in order to find the main sources of vehicular
noise and most of all show honking to have the biggest credit in doing so. Noise level has different effects on
the time period to which a person is exposed to it or even on the height difference between the source and the
receiver. In India the government has taken various steps to control noise pollution in Delhi city [3].

DOI: 10.9790/1676-1406010812 www.iosrjournals.org 8 | Page

 Design of a Smart Real-time Excessive Honking Control System

An area closer to a zone with higher levels of noise is not fit for being a workplace as it decreases the
efficiency of the people and also affect their physiological and mental health conditions. Traffic noise owes to
various parameters which include traffic flow, weather conditions, density of vehicles, road surface condition.

II. Literary Review

A. Automatic Vehicle Horn Control System Using Proximity Sensor
Proximity sensors have been implemented to develop a system that can automatically trigger the horn without
the interference of the driver. Proximity sensors are interfaced with Arduino which are programmed to
response whenever objects are detected nearby [1].
B. Honking with Reduced Effect on Noise Pollution
This system is intended to replace actual honking with virtual honking by implementing 1 of 4 exclusive
methods namely using Bluetooth Transmitter and Receiver, Infrared Signal transmitter and receiver, using
radio waves to communicate and finally the best fit using a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Radio
Frequency (RF) transmitter. Two nearby cars when in close proximity will be informed about the condition.
The same work done by a horn inside a car [4].
C. Smart IoT Based System for Vehicle Noise and Pollution Monitoring
The author has introduced a system that detects vehicles that cause noise pollution and air pollution as well
using MQ-7, MQ-2 and SEN-12642. It is a low cost, simple to operate and portable device [5].
D. Noise Pollution Measurement System Using Wireless Sensor Network and BAN Sensors
They presented the design and build of a Noise pollution Measurement System which combines a Wireless
Sensor Network (WSN) and a Body Access Network (BAN) that is capable of measuring Noise pollution
level [6].

III. Methodology and Materials

Modern car horns are electric driven. They have a steel diaphragm and electromagnet-based
mechanism which is opposed by a spring. The contact points that repeatedly interrupt current flow to the
electromagnet is attached to the diaphragm. As the diaphragm springs back in the opposite direction the circuit
is completed again. This close and opens numerous times resulting in buzzer or electric bell which is further
amplified to finally produce the horn that is heard when the horn button is pressed. A sound level of car horns is
usually within the range 107-109 decibels. Usually then require a current supply of average 6 amps.

Figure 1: Block Diagram of Proposed System

So, we make a channel by building a connection between the electric supply interruption zone and the
Arduino UNO board. Arduino is a microcontroller board in which we design a counter loop. Every time the
horn circuit is triggered a pulse is sent to the Arduino Uno pre-set pin which takes the pulse of peak value above
4amps as 1 and below that as 0. Thus, every time a pulse is received the counter loop is incremented by 1 and
the data is saved in variable. A timer of 24 hr. format is also set. For 24 hrs. the Arduino collects the data and
after 1 cycle is completed it sends the final data to the Node MCU which is the W-Fi module-based
microcontroller. The two devices pair with each other by serial connection. The Node MCU will be connected to
the internet whose name and password can be programmed from the application. When connected it will push
the necessary data to the application. The latter will process the data and present it in a table and graph format
using graphics.

DOI: 10.9790/1676-1406010812 www.iosrjournals.org 9 | Page

 Design of a Smart Real-time Excessive Honking Control System

Figure 2: Schematic Diagram of the System

At first a long study is done over the zone where it is to be executed to collect huge data on this
problem and correlating them, we can find a specific value of the number of horns. Thus, we specify our limit of
horns per month. After 1 month of usage when the final data (FD) arrives on the application it subtracts the pre-
set limit value (PSV) from it. If the result (R1) is positive then the systems refresh and starts cycle for new term.
But if the result is negative it is modulated and charges a bill by multiplying the modulated value of the result
with an Amount (Rs. X) which is tax per extra horn:

FD – PSV = R1 …………. (1)

R2 = R1, (R1>0)
=| R1 |, (R1<0) ………. (2)
Final Monthly Bill = (R2 * X) rupees

When a user is opening the application first time, he has to register with valid ID proof of himself and
documents of the car that he is registering with this application. This profile can be viewed both by user and the
concerned authority involved.

A. Arduino
Arduino is a microcontroller-based board with digital and analog pins that can be configured to behave
as output or input pins depending on needs. It has 5v supply and analog to digital converter module. It has been
used to detect and convert analog current signals into digital signals. 1 value represents a single horn strike. The
microcontroller has been programmed to check this value and increment the counter by unity for every such
digital horn pulse.

B. Node MCU
It is also a microcontroller-based Wi-Fi enabled board which can connect to the internet and the main
part responsible to begin the process of exchange of data between the device and the cloud. It has the ESP8266
Wi-Fi module embedded in it. Like Arduino Uno it also has digital and analog pins but it gives out only 3.3 v of
supply. The password and name of the Wi-fi is programmed in it which can also be changed at will using the
application. Inside the Node MCU the URL of the cloud server is pre-set. Every time a data is to be send the
Node hits the URL. The data then is processed and stored.

IV. Results and Discussions

For the experiment, a route was chosen from Bidhanagar Road to Narula Institute of Technology. 2-wheeler, a
hash back cab and bus were chosen alternatively as mode of transportation.

Table 1: Details of parameters of the samples used

Serial No. Transport Distance(km) Average Time(min.)
1 2-wheeler 10 44
2 Hash-back cab 10 48
3 Public Bus 10 61

DOI: 10.9790/1676-1406010812 www.iosrjournals.org 10 | Page

 Design of a Smart Real-time Excessive Honking Control System

The experiment was performed over a sample of 20 random days with specially declared holidays,
work days and weekends considered. The weather was also monitored on a daily basis especially rainy day.

Figure 3: Data Table representing the number of horns used per day by vehicle

The data is uploaded to the user’s personal account in the application or website after 1 day. The same
data can be presented in the form of a graph that helps the user to perceive it in a more comparable approach.
Also, the graph can be downloaded in most globally accepted formats.

Figure 4: Data representation in the form of graph

From the experiment we have identified certain aspects that need immediate attention in order lessen the noise
pollution.
 In many places the divider in-between lanes do not have proper guard as a result often pedestrians tend to
cross roads using such points. As a result, to avoid accidents drivers tend to use horns constantly.
 Lane changing is very common fact that attracts extreme honking specially 2-wheelers are the main culprits
in such cases.
 Drivers at crossings have a tendency to honk although when 5-6 seconds are left for the signal to turn green.
 Drivers prefer to honk at irregular intervals without any reason just to make pressure on vehicles around.

V. Conclusion
The system so developed is very simple, cost effective and can be easily implemented to prevent the
significant reason of noise pollution. Honking is a critical problem specially in India. The various effects related
to this problem including stress, depression and other physical and mental ailments which needs at most
attention from the society are directly tackled by uprooting their main cause. The system results in an embedded
module which shall benefit the authority to provide a necessary check on unnecessary honking habit of people in
India. This will definitely provide benefit to residents of societies located near the high traffic roads, students

DOI: 10.9790/1676-1406010812 www.iosrjournals.org 11 | Page

 Design of a Smart Real-time Excessive Honking Control System

studying in schools located in the vicinity of busy roads, patients admitted in the hospitals located on the
roadsides and people of various professions/occupations.

VI. Future Scope

A device as this can be amalgamated with other present advanced similar applications to derive traffic
conditions of different routes. Information like when a particular route is heavy with traffic. The time periods of
heavy traffic can be noted so as to release the pressure by making necessary changes to road crossings and other
parallel routes, to systematize the travelling experience. By this method various routes can be classified into
classes with traffic density being the basic parameter. We can derive all this data using this device as more horns
will be used in places that regularly experience such chaos. This will also help traffic police services as quality
of their work will be enhanced if they can have a map of all the crossing presenting huge crowd so as to divert
vehicles in order to smoothen the overall process.

References
[1] N Garg and S. Maji, “A retrospective view of noise pollution control policy in India:status, proposed revision and control
measures,” Current Science, vol. III, pp. NO. 1, 10 th July, 2016.
[2] S. K. Prasad P., S. Keerti, Parthiv T. and Surendar S., “Automatic Vehicle Horn Control System Proximity Sensors,” International
Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Vol. 118, NO. 20, 2018, ISSN: 1314-3395, Special Issue.
[3] N. Garg, A.K. Sinha, M. Dahiya and P. Kumar, “Effect of odd-even vehicular restrictions on ambient noise levels in Delhi city,”
2017 International conference on Advances in Mechanical, Industrial, Automation and Management Systems(AMIAMS).
[4] P.Doshi, P.Halani, V.Jasoliya, M.Jain and V. Sawant “Honking with Reduced Effects on Noise Pollution,” International Journal of
Research in Computer and Communication Engineering, Vol. 4, Issue: 10, October 2015.
[5] P. Patil, “Smart IoT Based System for Vehicle Noise and Pollution Mentoring,” International Conference on Trends in Electronics
and Informatics, ICEI 2017.
[6] J. G. Cantuna, S. Solorzano and J.M. Clairand, “Noise Pollution Measurment System Using Wireless Sensor Network and Ban
Sensors” .
[7] T.K.Roy, A.R.Mukhopadhay,S.K. Ghosh and G. Majumdar “Honking- Its Influence on Noise Pollution,” IJEP 30 (8): 653-658
(2010).

Atmadip Dey. “Design of a Smart Real-time Excessive Honking Control System". IOSR
Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME) , vol. 9, no. 6, 2019, pp. 08-12.

DOI: 10.9790/1676-1406010812 www.iosrjournals.org 12 | Page

View publication stats