Development of a two-factor authentication for vehicle parking space control based on automatic number plate recognition and radio frequency identification frequency identification

Abstract

The University of Zambia is experiencing increasing challenge of car parking space and vehicle access controls to and within campus premises. Vehicles have been stolen without being detected. There has not been any effective means of recording and tracking vehicle activities in and out of campus. This is because the current vehicle access controls at the University of Zambia (UNZA) is manual. This study proposes an automated vehicle access control system that will regulate vehicle access to designated car parking areas, prevent car thefts as well as track vehicle activities in the campus. The study was guided by two (2) objectives. A baseline survey was conducted to assess the performance of the current manual vehicle access control system. The results of the survey reviewed that members of staff found difficulties in finding parking spaces due to intrusion. The survey results also showed acts and threats of car thefts within campus premises. As a result of these shortfalls, most respondents recommended for an electronic system that would keep records of vehicle and driver activities and prevent car thefts. Scholar databases were examined to find related literature. Technologies such as Automatic Number plate Recognition (ANPR) and Radio Frequency Identification system (RFID) were found to have been widely used in the automobile industry. A two factor authentication for vehicle access control based on Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and Radio Frequency Identification system (RFID) for the University of Zambia (UNZA) was developed. The outcome of the system provided five configurable states each being suited for a particular access point. The system used ‘ORed’ and ‘ANDed’, logic settings to achieve the different authentication states. A functional prototype was developed using Arduino to ascertain the feasibility of the system. From the results of the study, it has been recommended that the University of Zambia implements the system in order to effectively monitor and control vehicles, prevent vehicle thefts and bring about effective and efficient use of parking space. Keywords: RFID, ANPR, Vehicle access control, Multifactor authentication